Starting Solids and Breastfeeding

Michelle - posted on 01/17/2011

We just reached this phase with our 5 month old son shortly after Christmas. It does take some time and patience, not to mention a bit of wet wipes!

The first few feedings were runny baby cereal, which he seemed to wear more than he ate. I read some where dipping the spoon in the food rather than using the spoon to scoop it worked best. It gave him just enough to feel the texture and not push it out of his mouth as much.

After a week or so I started some single ingredient stage 1 foods, and slightly thickened them with cereal. He did really well with that....... except anything green which he is sure to wear because of the taste. I then got sneaky with dipping his greens in stage 1 applesauce to make it more palletable for him which is working.

Make sure once you do go to baby food to start with one and give it a few days to check for allergies.... being you know rice is fine at that point, add a small spoon of a single ingredient item to his cereal and give him/her the same for the next few days to be sure there is no allergy.

Introduce a different single ingredient after day 3, then add new things every 3 days and you can include the ones that you know are safe along with it.

They say single ingredient because mixed things such as garden vegies has multiple ingredients and makes it harder to pin point which if there is an allergy.

When we went to our son's dr appt a week ago and stated I had started baby food the dr said that was fine.

Try to get yourself and baby into a routine and relax. I try to make his meal time close to our meal times so when he gets older there is not much shock in change of schedule.

Good luck!

Emily - posted on 01/12/2011

I agree with Sara.. easiest thing to do is simply follow your baby's lead. If your baby doesn't seem interested right now, stop solids. It's not necessary. I waited 'til my daughter was grabbing things off my plate. lol

Megan - posted on 01/12/2011

i starte my son on rice cereal at 4 1/2 months but he was a big boy my milk just wasnt enough my daughter started rice cereal at about 6 1/2 months i tried at 6 months but she wasnt ready she slept less with it and was happier without it i would say if ur milk is filling him up i would wait on baby food took mine bout 2 weeks to get the hang of it once they were ready

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 01/12/2011

That's called the tongue thrust reflex. It's meant to protect babies and it means he's not quite ready for solids. I would stop and wait a while longer. Breast milk is all baby needs until he shows all the signs of readiness for starting solids which include:
-at least 6 months old
-lost tongue thrust reflex (doesn't spit food out)
-sitting unsupported
-developed pincer grasp (able to pick up things between thumb and finger)
- shows interest in food
- increasing in nursings not related to teething, illness or growth spurt.

Here's some great info about solids that might help you.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/solids.html

I found starting solids very confusing until I just relaxed and let my daughter lead the way. She started solids at 8 months. Avocados, bananas and sweet potatoes are great first foods. We did try rice cereal a few times (due to pediatrician recommendation) and it constipated her so badly. Hope some of this helps!