I have a confession. Feeding my baby in her first 9 months of life has come with its own set of mom guilt and anxiety.

Don't get me wrong. I love food, think about food nonstop, and I'm so excited for our little eater to experience really great good. But, ever since Dylan was a newborn, I've always been worried about doing it the “right” way. There is so much out there telling us moms how to feed our child. To start, I've been exclusively breastfeeding because I feel like I failed if I were to stop. Have I been doing it long enough? Should I wait until she turns 1 before I stop? And now that Dylan is eating solids, I'm constantly feeling as if I'm not doing as good of a job as I could in feeding her. Am I wrong to do purees instead of always doing baby-led weaning? Should she always be trying to feed herself? Are there enough veggies in her diet? Should she be a better independent eater by now? Should everything be organic? Is it okay that I don't make her homemade food all the time? (Which, between working full time, daycare and life in general, making every meal myself has proven to be a huuuuge challenge).

You see, there is so much out there about the "right way" to nourish your baby: what to do and what not to do. What the current trend is. I mean, just re-reading this post so far is exhausting!!

Okay. So moral of the story is that if you're a mother and you are reading this and can relate... I hear ya. I'm here to tell you that 90% of the time I feel like I'm not doing it the way "I should". Or what society tells me is best. Or like the picture perfect Instagram photo I see. But you know what?? I'm feeding Dylan the way that is best for us. The way that comes natural to Dylan and at her own speed and preference. She makes the rules around here. And it's the way that works with our schedule and our life. Maybe I need to tell myself this which is why I am typing it out. I'm just so sick of the mom guilt. (My husband will probably read this and roll his eyes because he doesn't feel this guilt. But it's real!) This feeling of not living up to a standard that I don't even know how or why it was even set. Who is judging us? At the end of the day, probably no one. 

Okay. I got that off my chest. Back to this recipe...

Dylan goes to an in-home daycare during the week and they feed her breakfast. But on the weekends, we get to enjoy breakfast as a family. And lately she's been having oatmeal. This recipe came about because I had been buying an apple cinnamon oatmeal jar of baby food at Whole Foods and after buying it a few times, I was kind of mad at myself for doing so. It was basically just oatmeal with apples and cinnamon! I should just be making this! And probably saving money by doing so. AND it's easy. Because now a days, I need need need anything and everything easy. This recipe makes a little over 1 cup so you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for the next day. 

Dylan is 9 months and loves this (most of the time, hah!). I think it's probably good for babies around 8 months and up but you know your child best... I will be the first person to tell you to do what works best for you and your little one! :)  Enjoy!! 

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• 2 Tablespoons oatmeal baby cereal

• 1 cup filtered water

• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (just apples as the ingredient)

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions: 

1. Mix the oats, oatmeal cereal and water in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave or heat on the stove top according to the instructions on the rolled oats. I microwave 2-3 minutes. [*Note: The oatmeal cereal is optional in this recipe - I just like to add it in for extra iron.]

2. Once cooked, mix in the applesauce and cinnamon until completely incorporated. Let cool until it reaches the right temperature to feed your baby.

3. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 days.