I know it's way early for this

ashleyvictoria

But just thinking ahead...
When do you plan to introduce solid foods? I know what the recommendations are, but just curious what others are planning on doing. Also, store bought baby food, homemade food, baby led weaning, etc? Any STMs have any DOs or DONTs from experience?

windwithfingers

6 months; we'll be doing baby led weaning.

pnwlover12

We started DD on solids about a week shy of 6 months. I can't remember the exact rule, but we only introduced one new food at a time incase she had an allergy. I'd like to say that I'll make my own, but I know I won't.

Dani0329

Our pedi said we will see where we are at 4 months to determine if she can try things a little early. Not sure what there is to see to let them know if it's appropriate to start early, so I will just be going with my gut once I get the okay.

We have a ninja to make our own baby food.

Emerald27

We will do baby led weaning, and we start solids based on baby's physical readiness, not on an arbitrary calendar date.

Signs that indicate baby is developmentally ready for solids include:
1. Baby can sit up well unassisted
2. Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and does not automatically push solids out of his mouth with his tongue.
3. Baby is ready and willing to chew.
4. Baby is developing a “pincer” grasp, where he picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger.
5. Baby is eager to participate in mealtime and may try to grab food and put it in his mouth.

We'll give LO whatever veggies and meat we are having with dinner, and he can play or eat as much as he likes.

Here's some more info for anyone interested:

https://kellymom.com/category/nutrition/starting-solids/

ETA: With DS1, we started with avocado, sweet potato, banana, and pears between 7 and 8 months.

DreadGamerWife

Hopefully 6 months, but it depends on when she is displaying the readiness signs that @Emerald27‌ gave above. We will be making our own and starting with veggies.

AmandaJean12

I'll be going with the pediatricians recommendation based on how ready she is, and I will be making baby food.

golfingdarwinfish

We are going to do BLW when he's ready.

staryb

I plan on starting at 6 months unless pedi says otherwise. Its been suggested that our pedi may want us to start at 4 months but I'd like to hold off. We plan to make our own food.

ishknits

I think I'll be done bf when the baby gets teeth! I'd never heard of baby led weaning before.. I don't think that far ahead but I'm gonna look into it now. Good advice @Emerald27‌

Eta: just looked it up... Then what do I do with my baby bullet!? Haha

lrobi13

You have to wait? My kid has been eating pizza for weeks.

But for reals my kid will eat the jar food when it is time.

Dani0329

Emerald27 said:

We will do baby led weaning, and we start solids based on baby's physical readiness, not on an arbitrary calendar date.

Signs that indicate baby is developmentally ready for solids include:
1. Baby can sit up well unassisted
2. Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and does not automatically push solids out of his mouth with his tongue.
3. Baby is ready and willing to chew.
4. Baby is developing a “pincer” grasp, where he picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger.
5. Baby is eager to participate in mealtime and may try to grab food and put it in his mouth.

We'll give LO whatever veggies and meat we are having with dinner, and he can play or eat as much as he likes.

Here's some more info for anyone interested:

https://kellymom.com/category/nutrition/starting-solids/

ETA: With DS1, we started with avocado, sweet potato, banana, and pears between 7 and 8 months.

I screenshot this for reference, thank you!

pnwlover12

FFMC

I have no idea how BLW is done. I've never read up on it, or seen it mentioned other than on TB.

windwithfingers

pnwlover12 said:

FFMC

I have no idea how BLW is done. I've never read up on it, or seen it mentioned other than on TB.

There's a baby led weaning hashtag on Instagram that's interesting to follow. My cousin does it and it's pretty funny to see a 9 month old gnawing a pork chop.

TheFutureMrs.O

We started DS when he was 7 months. Plan to start around the same time if she's ready.

CNJ4EVA

I'm planning on introducing oatmeal shortly after 4m (as long as pedi doesn't object), then I will make his fruit and veggie purees. Same as I did with DD and I enjoyed making the food so much.

Emerald27

ishknits said:

I think I'll be done bf when the baby gets teeth! I'd never heard of baby led weaning before.. I don't think that far ahead but I'm gonna look into it now. Good advice @Emerald27‌

Eta: just looked it up... Then what do I do with my baby bullet!? Haha

You can do some purees with BLW, just strive for a balance. The texture can be really fun for them to squish with their fingers. I'd just recommend handing baby the spoon and letting him play instead of spoon feeding him.

Or you can return the bullet and get something else. it's up to you!

Also, if you're concerned about baby's teeth hurting you when you BF, don't worry. If it hurt to breastfeed a kid with teeth, no one would BF past 6mo! Baby's tongue covers his bottom teeth when he nurses, so you can't even feel them, and there's barely any pressure from the top teeth, so they don't cause any discomfort.

lrobi13

In all seriousness, I once heard start with veggies as once baby has the sweet fruit they won't want veggies. Any one heard of this theory?

Emerald27

pnwlover12 said:

FFMC

I have no idea how BLW is done. I've never read up on it, or seen it mentioned other than on TB.

It's a solids feeding method that is highly supportive of breastfeeding, so you'll likely hear about it if you attend a LLL meeting or ask your IBCLC for recs regarding starting solids.

But so many parents start their kids on rice cereal and purees. You're less likely to hear about BLW at the park or play group, unless you live in a pretty crunchy area.

Emerald27

Burp

BreandMikewedding

I don't remember when exactly I started dd on solids. I think around 6 months.

Ds1 started cereal by the time he was 3 months and veggies at 4 months. He ate a lot and was developmentally ready early so our pediatrician was ok with solids earlier.

This lo seems a bit more "normal" as far as his eating so I'm thinking around 6 months. I made ds1 baby food and I loved it. I will be doing it again.

pnwlover12

lrobi13 said:

In all seriousness, I once heard start with veggies as once baby has the sweet fruit they won't want veggies. Any one heard of this theory?

Meh. I think we did bananas first and my kid still ate the veggies too. Her favorite was squash for the longest time.

Now as a toddler, she's a bit more picky with them though.

Saragoeswest

golfingdarwinfish said:

We are going to do BLW when he's ready.

Same.

BreandMikewedding

lrobi13 said:

In all seriousness, I once heard start with veggies as once baby has the sweet fruit they won't want veggies. Any one heard of this theory?

I've heard this and started my first two on veggies first. Some veggies can be a little bitter. Ds1 started with spinach first and loved it!

Emerald27

lrobi13 said:

In all seriousness, I once heard start with veggies as once baby has the sweet fruit they won't want veggies. Any one heard of this theory?

It depends on the kid IME. We didn't worry too much and just made an effort to offer a variety of healthy foods.

bumpuser10309732

I'm thinking I will skip cereal and go to veggies etc when she's ready. I got me a BA kitchen aid food processor that I'll make a bunch of baby food in and freeze it.

BreandMikewedding

MrsBabe614 said:

I'm thinking I will skip cereal and go to veggies etc when she's ready. I got me a BA kitchen aid food processor that I'll make a bunch of baby food in and freeze it.

I'm curious. Why are you going to skip cereal?

bumpuser10309732

BreandMikewedding said:

MrsBabe614 said:

I'm thinking I will skip cereal and go to veggies etc when she's ready. I got me a BA kitchen aid food processor that I'll make a bunch of baby food in and freeze it.

I'm curious. Why are you going to skip cereal?

The grains are empty nutrition. As far as ive read they have nothing to really offer my baby in benefits that she wont get from BM (I say BM because that's what I'm doing but formula fed babies can be the same). I have no problem strictly breastfeeding to 6 months to when she's closer to fruit or oatmeal. I'd rather go straight to things with some substance. So if my doctor doesn't think it's a must do thing, shes on track and I can't offer something else I'll pass. Unless someone else has other information on the subject?

Jesslynnsell

We are going to do BLW as well. I'm so glad there will be a support group on the board for it

BreandMikewedding

MrsBabe614 said:

BreandMikewedding said:

MrsBabe614 said:

I'm thinking I will skip cereal and go to veggies etc when she's ready. I got me a BA kitchen aid food processor that I'll make a bunch of baby food in and freeze it.

I'm curious. Why are you going to skip cereal?

The grains are empty nutrition. As far as ive read they have nothing to really offer my baby in benefits that she wont get from BM (I say BM because that's what I'm doing but formula fed babies can be the same). I have no problem strictly breastfeeding to 6 months to when she's closer to fruit or oatmeal. I'd rather go straight to things with some substance. So if my doctor doesn't think it's a must do thing, shes on track and I can't offer something else I'll pass. Unless someone else has other information on the subject?

Gotcha. You can also make your own cereal from different grains and some have great nutritional value. I forget the name of the one in my baby food recipe book that is highly recommended. You can even mix it with different fruits and veggies to get extra nutrients in each bite.

ashleyvictoria

ishknits said:

I think I'll be done bf when the baby gets teeth! I'd never heard of baby led weaning before.. I don't think that far ahead but I'm gonna look into it now. Good advice @Emerald27‌

Eta: just looked it up... Then what do I do with my baby bullet!? Haha

I hadn't heard of BLW until recently either...I need to do a lot more reading up on it before I decide what we're going to do. Thanks for the helpful info and link (as always) @Emerald27‌.

@ishknits‌ - I thought the same about my baby bullet when I read about BLW too!
)

pnwlover12

MrsBabe614 said:

BreandMikewedding said:

MrsBabe614 said:

I'm thinking I will skip cereal and go to veggies etc when she's ready. I got me a BA kitchen aid food processor that I'll make a bunch of baby food in and freeze it.

I'm curious. Why are you going to skip cereal?

The grains are empty nutrition. As far as ive read they have nothing to really offer my baby in benefits that she wont get from BM (I say BM because that's what I'm doing but formula fed babies can be the same). I have no problem strictly breastfeeding to 6 months to when she's closer to fruit or oatmeal. I'd rather go straight to things with some substance. So if my doctor doesn't think it's a must do thing, shes on track and I can't offer something else I'll pass. Unless someone else has other information on the subject?

We skipped cereal too. I think some people use it as a starting point of textures for baby, like a practice food.

AppleGrapeMSTK

Our pedi had us start rice cereal at 3 months with DS1. I wish we had waited. He was in the 10th percentile and we started swapping out BF sessions with cereal. I had no clue what I was doing with my kid, but I never thought to ask. This time breast milk will be my baby's main source of nutrition and food/purees will just be fun/exposure to different tastes for the first year.

I will likely make the occasional purée, do jarred food for the nanny, and offer whatever we're eating at dinner.

shannonshare

Thanks @Emerald27‌ for blw advice! I researched it tonight and think we will try it when the time comes...I hope there will be a blw check in!

ishknits

AppleGrapeMSTK said:

Our pedi had us start rice cereal at 3 months with DS1. I wish we had waited. He was in the 10th percentile and we started swapping out BF sessions with cereal. I had no clue what I was doing with my kid, but I never thought to ask. This time breast milk will be my baby's main source of nutrition and food/purees will just be fun/exposure to different tastes for the first year.

I will likely make the occasional purée, do jarred food for the nanny, and offer whatever we're eating at dinner.

Why do you wish you waited? Did DS1 stop gaining?

Mewwwwws

I'm wondering what would be the risk if any for only BF'ing for the first year. B12 deficiency? Risk for not developing oro motor skills? I haven't researched or looked up or asked pedi yet but will plan to. Not that we plan on doing that, but i would be curious how long it's feasible to EBF before absolutely needing solids. In regard to the 6 mo recommendation from American Academy of pediatrics I thought it was to wait at least til 6 mo but that they didn't say how long would be safe to only BF.

pnwlover12

Mewwwwws said:

I'm wondering what would be the risk if any for only BF'ing for the first year. B12 deficiency? Risk for not developing oro motor skills? I haven't researched or looked up or asked pedi yet but will plan to. Not that we plan on doing that, but i would be curious how long it's feasible to EBF before absolutely needing solids. In regard to the 6 mo recommendation from American Academy of pediatrics I thought it was to wait at least til 6 mo but that they didn't say how long would be safe to only BF.

I have no research or anything to back this up, but IMO I think baby needs to start eating foods before they are a year old. It's not just about the nutrition, learning to eat also helps develop motor skills and social skills.

Mewwwwws

pnwlover12 said:

Mewwwwws said:

I'm wondering what would be the risk if any for only BF'ing for the first year. B12 deficiency? Risk for not developing oro motor skills? I haven't researched or looked up or asked pedi yet but will plan to. Not that we plan on doing that, but i would be curious how long it's feasible to EBF before absolutely needing solids. In regard to the 6 mo recommendation from American Academy of pediatrics I thought it was to wait at least til 6 mo but that they didn't say how long would be safe to only BF.

I have no research or anything to back this up, but IMO I think baby needs to start eating foods before they are a year old. It's not just about the nutrition, learning to eat also helps develop motor skills and social skills.

Yes , helping with Developing motor and social skills makes sense. Wondering more out of curiosity about nutrition wise if EBF alone suffices. I found one research article from Netherlands talking about B12 deficiency in babies who were introduced solids at a later age but it was just one study and I think it could have have some methodological flaws. I'd love to see other studies pointing out risks of waiting to introduce solids too late (past six months) if anyone has knowledge of them.

bumpuser10309732

BreandMikewedding said:

MrsBabe614 said:

BreandMikewedding said:

MrsBabe614 said:

I'm thinking I will skip cereal and go to veggies etc when she's ready. I got me a BA kitchen aid food processor that I'll make a bunch of baby food in and freeze it.

I'm curious. Why are you going to skip cereal?

The grains are empty nutrition. As far as ive read they have nothing to really offer my baby in benefits that she wont get from BM (I say BM because that's what I'm doing but formula fed babies can be the same). I have no problem strictly breastfeeding to 6 months to when she's closer to fruit or oatmeal. I'd rather go straight to things with some substance. So if my doctor doesn't think it's a must do thing, shes on track and I can't offer something else I'll pass. Unless someone else has other information on the subject?

Gotcha. You can also make your own cereal from different grains and some have great nutritional value. I forget the name of the one in my baby food recipe book that is highly recommended. You can even mix it with different fruits and veggies to get extra nutrients in each bite.

Really? What book do you have?

JessAnnJ

We will wait until six months. We will probably do a mixture of BLW and purees. She will need purees at daycare. We will skip rice cereal and I will make all of her purees.

I read up on BLW, even bought a book, and was all excited to try and it was just not for DD1. She was very sensitive to textures and anything much more than a liquid and she would cough and throw up. We had to work our way up to thinker substances very slowly.

Emerald27

@Mewwwwws‌ @starla487‌ @AppleGrapeMSTK‌

Solids are mostly about play, practice, and fine motor development in the first year. They're less about nutrition, and should only complement breastmilk, not replace it. This is because solid foods contain less fat and nutrients by volume than breastmilk, so REPLACING breastmilk with solids will actually dilute baby's total daily intake...not increase it.

So many moms think that replacing a breastfeeding session with a solids meal will help baby gain weight, but often that causes baby to LOSE weight. Solids in the first year are only usually offered in addition to baby's usual daily intake of breastmilk.

All that said, most babies start to need the additional nutrients in solids by about 9 months, like Theresa said. If solid foods are unavailable or water and food sources unreliable or contaminated, breastmilk alone can nourish a child well for up to two years, and in some areas of poverty, children nurse well into their childhoods, and for some this remains a sole source of nutrition for quite some time. ...but where healthy, clean food and water sources are readily available, it's recommended that solids be offered to baby once he shows all the signs of developmental readiness.