Everyone is pushing solid foods.

Trisha - posted on 05/02/2009

neither of my boys had anything other than breastmilk til they were 9months old. And then it was like a teaspoonful once a day to start. My boys have no problem with eating solids when I was ready. If your baby is growing acceptably and seems happy, I wouldn't worry about rushing her. Good luck

Elizabeth - posted on 05/02/2009

I agree with Dianna - you know what is best. Like with everything else, there are so many different approaches to solids. My 1st was exclusively nursed until 7 months and then started with cereal. At about 8 months he had 1st baby foods and it wasn't until about 10 months that he had any interest in anything else. By 1 he ate regular meals with us. My 2nd is also nursed but would lunge at our food at about 5 months. He went very quickly from cereal to baby food to table food. At 8 months, he was eating just about everything we do. Every baby is different, just read his cues and go from there.

Dianna - posted on 05/02/2009

You are the mommy. You will know when it is best for your little one. My guy was 6 weeks early and we very slowly added some solids starting around 6 months - but honestly we were not consistent until around 10 months. And then it was 1 meal a day for a while. Your baby will tell you when she is ready, she watches you eat, reaches for food, copies you while you eat. My son is now 1 and still nurses throughout the day as well as well as tries whatever we are eating.

Allison - posted on 05/02/2009

I think it's very important to wait, especially since she was born early. No, there doesn't seem to be any evidence to suggest that delaying solids will cause texture issues, eating issues, or oral motor delays, and since she was early, it's probably better for her. I've talked with several speech language pathologists and feeding experts and none can find any documentation that support delaying solids causes problem. Introducing foods too early can cause other issues, especially food allergies and sensitivities.

Check out http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com for information on foods to introduce, recipes, and other good feeding information.

Emily - posted on 05/02/2009

No, there is nothing wrong with waiting. People mysteriously learned to eat long before Gerber was invented. I don't know how! 8 months sounds great even for a baby born at term. I'd actually skip the spooning cereal and give her nice soft ripe or steamed chunks of food she can feed herself. I think if tey are feeding themselves they tend to do better because they put everything in their mouths anyway.

Heather - posted on 05/02/2009

I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to start solids, then start with a really running cereal. Gradually thickening it the older she gets. Otherwise the general rule is that once they can sit in a sitting position, they can start solids. I like to start mine on cereal at about a month old, this gives them something a little more filling on their tummy's and they sleep all night, after that I actually start foods at about 6-8 months. But I have several friends who breast fed with no solids until their babies are about a year old. The choice really is yours. What is your preference, and what are you comfortable with.

Heather - posted on 05/02/2009

I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to start solids, then start with a really running cereal. Gradually thickening it the older she gets. Otherwise the general rule is that once they can sit in a sitting position, they can start solids. I like to start mine on cereal at about a month old, this gives them something a little more filling on their tummy's and they sleep all night, after that I actually start foods at about 6-8 months. But I have several friends who breast fed with no solids until their babies are about a year old. The choice really is yours. What is your preference, and what are you comfortable with.

Jocelyn - posted on 05/02/2009

i don't think it would hurt her, but if she is starting to show an interest in solid food (ie wants what you have) then i wouldn't deny her. follow her signs.

Jocelyn - posted on 05/02/2009

i don't think it would hurt her, but if she is starting to show an interest in solid food (ie wants what you have) then i wouldn't deny her. follow her signs.