The Mama Coach - Amy Foreman, RN, FNP-C

If I could highlight ONE thing to take home about the difference between choking and gagging is that gagging usually has sound and choking usually is SILENT. It can be so tempting to multitask while our infants and toddlers eat, but I would encourage you to minimize distractions as much as possible while they are eating. Choking can happen in an instant, and there likely would not be any sound to alert you. I don’t want to be alarmist - I know that starting solids with babies can be a stressful time. I want you to be empowered with the tools to know how to minimize risk and prepare for all situations.

I also believe that teaching your child to “spit it out!” is such a useful skill! This is something that you can start teaching them as soon as you start solids. You can narrate what you see happening: “Uh-oh! It looks like you might have taken too large of a bite. Spit it into my hand here (offer hand).” You can also model what to do: take a large bite of your food and say, “Uh-oh! I took too big of a bite! I am going to spit it out onto my plate.” This will be so useful in so many situations, even away from the table. Infants under 1 year old are actually more likely to choke on something non-food, so if you see your infant with something in their mouth you can instruct them to spit it out and they will know what to do!

I feel that choking rescue skills are essential for parents and anyone taking care of children. I have a Virtual CPR Workshop coming up on July 20th. Visit my website for information and registration. I would love to give you the confidence of knowing how to handle these situations!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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I may be revealing my age here but I remember growing up with the "Milk - it does a body good! (pass it on)!" commercials and the "Got Milk?" print ads with celebrities proudly sporting a milk mustache. Milk intake was something highly valued when I was growing up. There have been some changes in the (I won't say how many) decades since I was a little kid, so I am here to hopefully help make it simple for you!

It is recommended that babies get all of their nutrition from breastmilk, formula (or a combo of both) until they are 1 year old. Breastmilk and formula offer complete nutrition for your baby. Just like with water, if a baby is given milk before the age of one, the risk is that it would displace some of the breastmilk/formula they otherwise would drink and put them at risk for nutritional deficiencies. It is ok to give your baby sips of milk after 11 months for them to start to get used to the new taste, but it is not necessary, and they should not be consuming more than 1 ounce a day.

From 1-2 years old, babies can have about 16 ounces of whole milk a day. If a baby were to drink larger quantities of milk, it could put them at risk for iron deficiency as milk is low in iron and can cause a child to be too full to eat other foods that are higher in iron.

From 2-5 years and beyond, it is recommended that children drink 16-24 ounces of milk a day. It is ok to continue with whole milk. If you prefer to switch to skim, 1%, or 2%, discuss this with your child's healthcare provider.

For those wishing to use plant-based milks, discuss this with your child's healthcare provider and they can work with you to find the best fit for your child based on their needs.
Raw milk is not recommended for babies and children. Their immune systems are still developing and raw milk presents a high risk for foodborne illness.

There is so much marketing out there for different beverages for babies and children. But it does not have to be complicated. Plain milk and water are truly all they need!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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One common question when getting ready to start solid foods with your baby is when to start including water in their diet. Under 12 months, breastmilk and/or formula not only provide the primary source of nutrition for babies, they also provide the primary source of hydration.

It is important for babies to start practicing drinking from an open cup or a straw cup, and water is a great liquid to offer to get that practice! It is not recommended to offer water in a bottle as this may cause baby to drink too much and then not get enough nutrition from breastmilk or formula. Feeding specialists also discourage using sippy cups as they do not provide the opportunity for babies to work on the important oral developmental skills gained by drinking from an open cup or a straw cup.

💧Under 6 months, it is not recommended to give any water. The reason for this is the risk that any water intake would displace critical nutrition from breastmilk or formula.

💧From 6 to 12 months it is not necessary for babies to drink any water. They can get adequate hydration from breastmilk/formula as well as any hydrating fruits/veggies they may be eating. If you want to allow them to have some water, especially to help them practice drinking from an open cup or a straw cup, limit it to no more than 4 ounces (6-9 mo) and 8 ounces (9-12 mo).

💧From 12 to 24 months, it is recommended that babies get at least 8 ounces of water a day up to a max of 32 ounces a day.

Beyond formula or breastmilk, all babies need are milk and water. We’ll talk more about milk next week!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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To the fathers and father figures out there - we celebrate you today!
Happy Father’s Day

A simple google search for how to start solids with your baby can make your head spin. It can be challenging to w**d through the opinions to find the facts. I believe that we are actually in a time of transition when it comes to advice in this arena. When I first started practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner, the general advice was to start with rice cereal and/or purees and then move to "Stage One" foods, and so on. And I want to be clear - it is OK to start with purees. You will find zero judgement here. I myself was nervous to give my kiddo solid foods when he was just starting. Purees gave me a chance to practice feeding him without the stress of it being solid foods. It gave me a chance to get things rolling and build MY confidence to help me get ready to give him those first bites of a solid food.

I think it is important to educate you that the current research is trending toward BLW offering more advantages than purees - from logistical (simpler as you are just modifying your own food and sharing it with baby) to developmental (exposes baby to more textures from the start and gives them a chance to work on milestones like the pincer grasp while they are eating). I believe that the general advice is going to transition to recommending a BLW approach first over other options. HOWEVER, my goal is to help set you and your baby up for success and work with what you are comfortable with!

With either purees or BLW (or a combo of both), you may have questions like how to start, what to start with, and how to progress. I cover this in my Starting Solids Workshop that is coming up on June 22nd. There is still time to snag a spot in the class! If you cannot make it, no problem - you get access to the recording as well as an extensive ebook.

One fear that made me hesitant to just jump into BLW from the start, was a fear of my child choking. It is completely normal for this to feel scary as you start to expand your baby's diet into solid foods. The best way to combat this fear is to be empowered by knowledge of what to do should your child start choking. I have a CPR/Choking Rescue Workshop coming up on July 20th. We will talk about the difference between gagging and choking. When you first start solids (whether purees or BLW), your kiddo WILL gag. This is normal development! Having the knowledge of when to intervene will give you extra confidence in feeding your baby.

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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One of my favorite tips for getting started with solid food with your baby is to GO BIG!

Babies do not develop their pincer grasp (picking something up with just the thumb and index finger) until about 9 months old. At 6 months old they use a raking grasp - swiping at food with all their fingers and holding it in their palm. A good gauge when cutting up food is to have it be at least the length and width of two adult fingers. Or feel free to give a whole head of broccoli like the picture!

My son was ready to start solids in the summer a few years ago, so one of the first foods we gave him was a giant whole strawberry. He loved it!

If you see small pieces coming off, you can remove them from the eating space for safety. Because early solid food exposure is more for exploration and less for nutrition, large pieces give your child a great chance to experience flavor and texture as they start to work on their chewing skills.

June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. What fruit or veggie are you looking forward to eating with your kiddo this month? I always look forward to Palisade peach season in Colorado!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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Recently I watched in awe as my toddler independently ate a bowl of *gasp!* oatmeal BY HIMSELF and did not make hardly any mess! I remember at times during our starting solids journey just having to repeat to myself “embrace the mess” over and over. It was so hard to keep from constantly tidying his face and his eating space while he was eating! Getting messy is actually a really important part of a baby’s developmental journey to learning to eat solid foods. Squishing food in their hands and smearing it all over their tray and face helps them gain comfort and confidence with the different textures of foods. This can go far in maintaining a willingness to try new foods long-term.

Having the proper tools in place can help with this journey (and maybe help *manage* the mess a little in the process). Silicone is so easy to clean - I would generally be able to just wipe clean my son’s silicone bib between meals and then throw it in the dishwasher each night. So I’m a fan of all things silicone - bibs, utensils, dishes, etc. Plastic is ok too! These things definitely don’t need to be the latest expensive designer baby gear that I’m sure you’re seeing ads for. We occasionally lost a dish to an enthusiastic kiddo throwing it in glee, so I don’t recommend using your regular dishes for a bit.

I know this is so frequently said, but it truly does go by so fast. And it’s ok if starting solids feels daunting at first. Before you know it you and your baby will be pros at this whole thing and you’ll look back in amazement at how far you have come.

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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So excited to be featured on Voyage Denver! Here’s a link to the article!

Community Highlights: Meet Amy Foreman of The Mama Coach - Amy Foreman, LLC - VoyageDenver - Denver Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Foreman Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. I have been a Registered Nurse since 2005 and a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2009. Being an advocate for my patients has always been an...

Growing up my family proudly proclaimed our membership in the “clean plate club.” And remember the old standby of “here comes the airplane!” Although well-intentioned, these techniques that many of us grew up with gave a subtle message that our cue to be done eating came from someplace other than our body telling us we were full. As more research is done into healthy eating habits with infants and children, the concept of Responsive Feeding has emerged as a better approach. This approach teaches children from the very beginning to pay attention to what their body feels like when it is hungry and what it feels like when it is full - what a valuable skill to learn!

It can feel risky - letting our children dictate when they are done. Sometimes their appetites can be all over the map and we can feel so confused trying to decipher their cues knowing they ate a different amount the day before. It’s ok - this is normal! As children grow, their appetites can go up and down.

If you are having difficulties, I am happy to help! It is ok to reach out to me or your child’s pediatrician if you are concerned that there is more to food refusal than simply being full. We can talk about red flag signs to watch for and what is normal. If your child is staying on their growth trajectory, the ups and downs of their appetite are likely normal.

If you are getting ready to start solid foods and want to learn more, I have a virtual Starting Solids Workshop coming up in June. We will cover all the basics for getting started and the workshop comes with an ebook full of additional information and tips. Visit my website for info and where to register!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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I was in my third trimester when I started to experience some symptoms of preeclampsia. I was having headaches, leg swelling, blurred vision and my blood pressure was borderline - so we decided to monitor closely, especially as I was approaching the 37 week mark. Our goal was for me to make it to 37 weeks and then likely do an induction if the symptoms did not get any better. I ended up in Labor and Delivery Triage over that weekend because of the worsening symptoms. I was so scared. As my condition was worsening, and I was showing signs that the Preeclampsia was progressing to a more serious stage, they made the decision to admit and induce. I had to go from denial to fear to acceptance very quickly.

The nurses were all amazing. They stayed calm, which helped me stay calm and focus on the task at hand - bringing my son safely into this world.
My BP did improve after delivery, so I was discharged with no medication and only the standard instruction to follow up at 6 weeks postpartum.

Once we got home, my BP started to rise again. We were well into a holiday weekend, so my only option was to call the on call service. I was instructed to go to the ER, which was so frightening for me given that it was in winter, so illnesses like flu, RSV, and COVID were all really high, and the ERs were all really packed. I remember feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, still in pain and bleeding from just having gone through childbirth, and overall just feeling the foggy toxic sickness of the Preeclampsia still surging through my body. Given my medical training and contacts, I was able to get the treatment and guidance I needed without having to go to the ER, and I know I am very privileged that this was even an option for me. I continue to feel extraordinary gratitude that both my son and I are now fine, safe, and healthy.

Those first few weeks postpartum are an especially tender and vulnerable time. I recognize that there are limited resources for new moms, and I want to help bridge the gaps that exist in our current system. I am so proud to be a part of The Mama Coach community!





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I see you Mamas. I see the exhaustion, the isolation, the mental load, the overwhelming changes, the loneliness. I know you are putting in an extraordinary amount of work and you are doing so well. I hope that you know deep in your heart that even on the days where it is hard to feel like you are thriving, that you are truly doing amazing. You are your child’s whole world and they are so lucky to have you.

I am here for you if you need support.
Another good resource is Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net
If you are struggling, please reach out. You are not alone.



If you are in the Colorado Springs area and want to meet a great community of Moms next weekend, I would love to see you! Check out .coloradosprings for more information.

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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I have a few things coming up in the next few months!

In May I am excited to be a sponsor of a Mom Walk in Colorado Springs. Visit .coloradosprings for more info. I will have some gifts to raffle off and a special coupon code for all attendees! I look forward to meeting Colorado Springs Mamas!

In June I am doing my virtual Starting Solids workshop. This workshop is great for parents who are approaching the exciting time of introducing their baby to solid foods. The cost is $35 per household/couple and comes with the recording and an ebook.

In July I am doing my virtual CPR/AED workshop. This workshop is good for parents and caregivers. You will be equipped to respond in an emergency, including choking incidents. Any layperson with basic skills could potentially be a lifesaving difference in an emergency. The cost is $35 per household/couple and comes with the recording and an ebook.

All class information can be found on my website Amy-Foreman.themamacoach.com/classes

I am looking forward to these upcoming opportunities to meet you and teach you!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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I remember my eyes filling with tears of awe when I first read about fetomaternal microchimerism. But even when the science lays out a detailed explanation, there is still something so intangible and extraordinary about the bond between a mother and child.

As we approach the celebrations around Mother’s Day, I hope that you know that you, Mama, are exquisite and enough, just as you are.

If you want to read a little more about fetomaternal microchimerism, I’ll link an article in the comments about how a baby in utero will send cells to a mother’s heart to help heal it when it is in distress. It is really remarkable.

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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The Tongue Thrust Reflex is present from birth to about 4-7 months. This reflex is triggered when something touches your baby's mouth or tongue and their tongue automatically pushes forward (thus pushing the object out of their mouth). This reflex is protective - helping prevent your baby from choking on something in their mouth!

For some time, the general advice was to wait until this reflex goes away before introducing solids. You can even look up instructions for how to test to see if this reflex is still present. It makes sense that this advice was given when the first foods introduced to babies were generally purees. You can imagine how difficult it is to spoon feed a baby when they keep (very effectively) pushing the spoon out! This certainly results in more puree ending up on the baby's chin than in their mouth. So if you are planning to start with purees and find this difficult, that is ok! If you are planning on starting with regular foods (Baby Led Weaning), you may find that this reflex does not cause as much of a challenge. When the babies are bringing food to their mouths themselves, they are starting to learn that it is ok to accept something in their mouth (and yummy too!); they are practicing the ever-so-important chewing skills, and they are doing all of this with the presence of a really protective reflex that will help prevent them from choking. How cool is that!

I am giving a FREE Starting Solids Readiness Workshop this Saturday from 10:15-10:45 at the Southern Colorado Doula Collective's Mother's Day Celebration Event. We will be in the Pueblo Community College Student Center and my workshop will take place in the classroom. We will cover the Tongue Thrust Reflex as well as 2 other reflexes that play a part in beginning solids. We will also talk about how to know your baby is developmentally ready for solids as well as prepping your environment and your food to set you up for success!

If you cannot make it or do not live in the Pueblo area and want to learn more, I also have a much more extensive virtual Starting Solids Workshop that I can offer. If you are interested, let me know and I will schedule one!

I am honored to get to support families in their feeding journeys. Whether you do purees, Baby Led Weaning (BLW) or a combo of both, you are doing a great job!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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I am so excited to be participating in the Southern Colorado Doula Collective’s 2024 Mother’s Day Celebration on April 27th!

AND I will be providing a ✨FREE✨ workshop on getting ready for starting solids with your baby! The workshop will take place in the Classroom of the Pueblo Community College Student Center. It will be from 10:15-10:45 AM.

Please come and support this great organization and see all the amazing resources in our community for moms.

I am also providing a raffle prize full of wonderful goodies to pamper a lucky mama. Raffle tickets for my basket will available at my booth.

I look forward to seeing you!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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So excited to be a part of the amazing lineup of speakers at this event! Stop by and learn about getting ready to start solids!

Engorgement can come on so fast in those early postpartum days. It’s like you’re waiting for your milk to come in and suddenly it makes one heck of an entrance!

Engorgement can also happen later in your postpartum journey if you go too long between feedings. Other things like older babies dropping a feed or sleeping longer stretches at night can bring on this discomfort.

Lastly, engorgement may need to be managed in your weaning journey.

Swipe through this post for some tips on how to manage engorgement. It can be a little tricky to manage later in your postpartum journey without risking causing an oversupply. I am here to help!

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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“Paced Feeding” or “Responsive Feeding” are two terms that basically mean watching your baby’s cues while you give them a bottle to determine when they need breaks and when they are done. They also refer to the technique of how you position your baby and hold the bottle.

🍼 If you are breastfeeding and bottle feeding your baby, paced feeding with the bottle reduces the risk of the baby preferring the bottle because this technique mimics a breastfeeding pattern of eating.

🍼 We also know that paced feeding reduces the risk of stomach upset from over feeding or feeding too quickly. It also may reduce the risk of ear infections and respiratory issues!

There is a lot of learning going on in those early days as you and your newborn are getting the hang of things. I hope these tips help give you a framework to get started. And if things don’t get easier, I am here to work through it with you and your baby.

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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Your baby’s p*e and p**p output is a good indicator of whether or not they are getting enough in their feeds. In their first week, wet diapers will start with at least 1 in the first 24 hours to 6-8 per day at one week old. Their p**p will initially be dark green-black (which is their meconium passing) and then transition in color to dark green and then to yellow.

At about 4-6 weeks of age, p**p frequency may go down.

For wet diapers - a good rule of thumb is to put 4 tablespoons of water in a clean, dry diaper and see what that feels like. Then, add 2 more tablespoons (for a total of 6 tbsp) and see how that feels. This is a good feel for the range of what would “count” for a wet diaper.

There can be a lot of variability with p**py diapers in frequency, amount, consistency, color, etc. If you are at all concerned that your baby may have diarrhea or constipation, please feel free to reach out to me or your pediatrician. We can review red flag symptoms and talk about what is a normal p**ping pattern for your unique baby

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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There are a lot of ways that we look at infants to make sure that they are getting adequate nutrition. Of course, one of the big markers is their weight, which your provider will check at every visit.

On a day-to-day basis, though, here are some things to consider as you feed your baby.

Just like we eat different amounts of food at each meal, your baby may not consume the exact same amount at each feed. That is ok!

It can feel easiest to focus on ounces taken or minutes on each breast, but I also want to encourage you to look at your baby’s hunger and full cues (we will talk about diaper output in my next post). It is ok to track ounces and minutes, but know that some degree of variability is normal.

One concept we use a lot with breastfeeding is that of “dinner and dessert.” Babies will get the bulk (if not all) of their feed from the first breast offered (dinner). That is why I recommend if you see them slowing, to do breast compressions to encourage them to fully empty your breast. Next you burp them and then offer the other side (dessert). They may or may not take anything from the second side and that is ok - just start with this side at the next feed!

I hope this gives you some simple parameters to watch for when feeding your baby. Give yourself and your baby grace as you both are learning a new skill! As always, if you have questions, reach out! I am here to help you.

Parenting is the most sacred job a person could have. It is an honor to get to be in your corner supporting you. You got this!

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