Starting solids

#1 October 17th, 2009, 09:31 AM

Lots of babies are starting solids or have started solids early in my ddc. I was wondering when you all started them or will start them. I don't want to until Jack is at least 6 months old unless something happens in which the doctor thinks I should. But Jack has been watching me eat for about a week now, and I think he wants some! It is probably just part of his oral fixation right now, but I feel bad eating in front of him

downunderchick · #2 October 17th, 2009, 09:54 AM

I didnt plan on starting until 6 months. Howcome so many are starting so early?

#3 October 17th, 2009, 10:20 AM

Some started early using cereal for reflux. As for the rest I have no idea! I thought it was really early.

KCMomma · #4 October 17th, 2009, 10:56 AM

Yeah, we have decided there really is no reason to rush so we are just gonna wait until she can sit up on her own then we will start! But we use the formula with added rice already for her reflux and spit up so, I guess you can say we have "sort of" started, but I don't consider that since we don't feed her with a spoon.

Will you start with cereal? Or baby food? Will you make your own??? So many questions to think about now.

Boo · #5 October 17th, 2009, 12:02 PM

Before I type my response, I want to make it clear that this is my opinion and I am not criticizing those who choose to start solids early.

I believe, unless your are advised to start early by your doc for medical reasons (ie: reflux), there is no need to start earlier than 6 months. Their digestive systems are not ready for solid food and I didn't want Christian to replace feedings (nursing) with solid meals because he needed to get 100% of his nutrients from my BM. BM/F should be the main source of nutrition for practically the whole first year. Solid foods are basically used to practice skills such as chewing (or gumming lol), getting their bellies used to solid food and working on their coordination with their hands (picking up food, bringing it to their mouths, etc). Yes, there are nutrients in solid foods too, but BM/F is the #1 priority. It wasn't until between 10-12 months that Christian's solid intake increased and the nursing sessions slowly decreased. I'm not saying this is the only way, there are plenty of babies in my PR who were eating tons of solid food (like what the rest of the family was eating) very early on. While I didn't personally think it was OK for my child to eat fast food and junk at 6-8 months of age, others thought there was nothing wrong with it.

The bottom line is it's up to you and what you feel is right for your child. No one can tell you what to do or how to do it. It's all about trial and error. There are also plenty of babies who are not ready at 6 months and need to wait a little longer. No two babies are alike.

LindsLuvsSi · #6 October 17th, 2009, 12:57 PM

I agree with Karly

We didn't even start Zane with cereal when we started solids at 6 months. We totally skipped cereal. We started with avocados then bananas!

He'll be 9 months old Wednesday and doesn't eat much solids, about 2oz of fruit or veggie purees I make for breakfast, lunch and dinner and some organic o's or organic puffs. He still BFs ever 3-4 hours.

#7 October 17th, 2009, 01:20 PM

Yeah I didn't know people started solids so early, so it surprised me! And I agree with you Gwen on the cereal thing - not the same as actual baby food with a spoon and lots of people recommend it for reflux babies early (even my midwifes).

I do want to make my own! Not sure when we will start or with what foods though. The longer I can delay the better since I don't want my baby growing up too fast!

lttle_one · #8 October 17th, 2009, 03:48 PM

I agree with Karly. I have never understood why people are so determined to start solids so early. That being said, DB was dying to feed Cherie cereal, so I let him a few days ago. She loved it! But, it still won't be a regular thing. I may let him 1 or 2 more times, but I don't really want to get in to it until 6 months.

samspain · #9 October 18th, 2009, 10:44 AM

When you do start, look at this site, its fantastic Healthy Homemade Baby Food Recipes, Make your baby homemade baby food with our easy baby food recipes, solid food tips, baby nutrition & more!

I wanted to wait till 6 months, but Ana wasnt gaining weight and she was diagnosed with a fat digestion deficiency at 5 months so we had to start on an enzyme cereal. She really took well to it. However she has been sitting unaided since 4.5 months and had 2 teeth. I still nurse her every 2-3 hours and I have to feed her once in the night. I will start to decrease nursing sessions at around 10 months.

We started veggies/fruit at 5.5 months and now she is on chicken too.
Last weekend she had what we had, roast chicken, brocoli, carrots and green beans (we didnt mix ours with bm!!). Shes growing up

lttle_one · #10 October 18th, 2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samspain

Last weekend she had what we had, roast chicken, brocoli, carrots and green beans (we didnt mix ours with bm!!)

No? Why not?

LuvMyToriBug · #11 October 19th, 2009, 07:17 AM

I tried to start Tori out with some cereal at close to 6 months, she hated it!! Actually, she did not do well with baby food AT ALL!! So, there are many reasons why some babies get table foods early and some babies don't take "solids" for a while. For Tori, as I said, she would not really have anything to do with jarred food at all and hated cereal, so at around 9 months or so, I started breaking up table food for her and she eats it much much better than jarred. She also gets 4 - 6 oz sippies of formula a day. I will start converting her to regular milk right at 1 year.

Celry · #12 October 19th, 2009, 12:04 PM

I don't plan on starting solids at 4 months, especially since my kiddos were a little early. I plan on doing it around 6 months, but also will play it by ear watching them. If they don't want it, and are growing well, then they don't have to start then. I will make my baby food. I'll be home and not working and I want them to eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies like we do. Some people think they are more willing to do that if you start them on food you make rather than jarred as the jarred stuff can taste like canned veggies.

courtneytcu98 · #13 October 19th, 2009, 08:26 PM

We started w/ one feeding of oatmeal with a little fruit mixed in at around 4 months old. It never replaced a bottle/BF session, and even with the 3 meals now, E still has the same amount of bottles. I started because it was clear he could stand to have more calories. I would say that the first month or so was hit or miss on if he got solids. Then we started gradually introducing foods and feedings and it went very well. I made most of his food (minus prunes and yogurt) and found it to be very easy. He is mostly on table foods now and really enjoys feeding himself. At 8 1/2 months, his typical schedule after waking is:
Bottle--8 oz
4-5 ounces of organic yogurt & prunes
bottle after morning nap--6-8 oz
4-5 ounces of solids
bottle after afternoon nap 6-8 oz
4-6 ounces of solids at dinner
bottle before bed--6-8 oz

I still question if Elliott doesn't have the same fat digestion prob that Ana has, and will ask at our next appt.

xanada101 · #14 October 19th, 2009, 10:13 PM

I tried Kerrigan on cereal waaay too early at the suggestion of my neighbor... saying that it would help her sleep better through the night. OMG did it make things worse. I felt to bad that her little tummy hurt. I won't be trying again for a while.

downunderchick · #15 October 21st, 2009, 06:27 AM

I TA with what Karly has said. I dont plan on trying Bella on anything until 6 months unless medically advised, although Im super excited to start trying foods etc with Bella, Im going to make my own (thats the plan anyway) Over here in UK A lady called Annabel Karmel/Carmel sp? is apparently the bees knees with weaning etc, dont know if she has a website or anything but ive looked through one of her books and it seems pretty good