Solid Food - Soliciting Advice
Any mommas already try baby-led weaning? How did it go?
Baby L is already starting to show a very huge interest in food, even arcing her back in the least-comfy way possible just to stop and stare at Hubbs while he eats. She's also teething and drooling slimy puddles down her shirt, and sometimes her mouth mimics a chewing sort of motion even though there's nothing in it. She is beginning to use a pincer grab though she's nowhere near proficient, and she does definitely enjoy putting everything in her mouth.
I'm just waiting for 6 months to come, and then we'll be good to go to introduce food other than boob juice.
However, the question du jour is: do I start with BLW at around 6 months, or do I start with Chinese rice porridge (congee) and other mushy foods before 6 months? Her keen interest in food suggests she might be ready before 6 months (which seems really far away right now), but the crunchy little part of me likes the idea of boobing her as long as possible, and introducing solids only when she is really truly ready (e.g. not clocking over when she sits on her butt, and having enough posture to be able to sit up straight). The fearful momma in me wants to give her mushy purees because it seems to be less dangerous (not scientifically proven, BTW) but the 21st century educator part of me really loves the idea of baby-directed learning, including learning to eat.
Would love to hear some anecdotes, even if your case studies are limited to your own kids. I think this is one of those situations where there isn't really one "right" approach and there's also no judgment from either camp; everyone sort of does what is right for their kid(s). Hence, I'm just looking to hear what you did to introduce solids for your babies.
Thanks for sharing! :)
Comments
As for me, my daughter was pretty "textbook", thus I started cereals and purees with her at 6 months. I was pretty "scientific" and waited the suggested 3-4 days before introducing the next new thing. She gradually moved to finger foods and yogurt/cheese at 9 months and "people food" around 11 - 12 months. Btw, Alisha was exclusively formula-fed from 6 weeks onwards.
My son was eager to start earlier and showed more interest in food than my daughter. Thus, he started the whole solid food journey at 5 months. My son was my breastfed baby, but at 5 months he also needed formula to supplement what he was getting from me. He self-weaned from BF'ing at 8.5 months and moved on to the bottle and formula. Anyway, with him, I introduced protein much earlier (6 - 7 months), as advised by the health nurse.
In both my children's case, I made their baby food, except for the fortified infant cereals, which I purchased. My kids preferred the homemade stuff over any jar of food.
EMILIa however I did start a tad early, very close to 6 months, but gave in to her urges and tendencies to want food and seem to be ready for it. I ONLY started with the beginner foods as you are told/have read is the "right" way to go about it. She advanced through the stages much faster than her sister and is more of a quantity eater now and has a taste for crap. I have to say that what they eat now I COMPLETELY attribute to their in-womb diet and not how solids were introduced since THAT was where things were so different. Emilia was exposed to much more "bad" foods in utero and that is where she gravitates. She also is interested in food more overall.
I try to stick as closely to what you are supposed to do just because I obsess about food issues and don't want to have something to point to later and think "UGH I shouldn't have done this or that" etc. But the best thing to keep in mind is as you do introduce those foods, make them organic, and make them homemade as much as possible, introducing omega 3s and doing your best to keep reintroducing things even when rejected because they DO not always accept foods immediately. Even now the girls take several times before accepting things. Even when they dont, a few months later we reintroduce again and usually time two or three they start to change. They are very flexible and this is MORE true the younger they are. The longer we accept that this kid hates this or that, the less of a chance we will have to getting them to expand their palates and accept healthier alternatives.
GOOD LUCK mama!!!! How old is she now?
I say let her try it, if she likes it give it to her and if she doesnt, then just wait a few weeks and try again.
Baby L is 4.5 months and salivates every time we eat. She was drooling over our pizza yesterday, our sushi tonight, our breakfast muffins... and I even caved and let her lick at my mini-cucumber (but she didn't gnaw at it or anything). She shows up 10 days late and is now rushing to grow up - what gives?! ;)
For me, I like to wait till my babies can sit up more on their own before I introduce other foods. The idea is that they have the proper muscle control to also be able to properly eat food and swallow.
I also like to think of introducing solids as if it is just a tasting session. For the first while, breast milk will still be my babies main source of nutrition. With just a bit of added tastes along the way. I like bananas as a first food!
Find your comfort zone and go with it! You are your own babies best expert!
Love your blog! Thanks for visiting my humble corner of the blogiverse!
She definitely showed interest in our food. I started with rice cereal (because it's iron fortified), then went with pureed carrots, peas, bananas, apples and so on (made my own - she loves the homemade stuff over the store bought stuff!). I'm still BFing (she doesn't like formula). Joe Jr loves to eat and she's been pooing very well too. Sleeps the same. I say give it a try with the rice cereal first, especially if it looks like she's interested, and then see how it goes.
PS. For us, the Heinz rice cereal has been good. It was recommended by many momma friends who said other brands caused gas or constipation. :)
He loves to eat his squash and carrots and I like the new form of bonding we get from this. He only eats solids once a day, and I will try to keep it like that until 6 mos.
Breast milk is his main source of nutrition. Squash is his treat in the day.
I knew in my heart he was ready. I'm really glad I acted on it.