Okay, I feel like I have to defend our solids approach.

CollieJade

I don't feel like anyone was trying to tell me I'm doing it "wrong" or anything, but I DO sort of feel the need to justify why we're doing it the way we are doing it.

First off, Dr. Cepeda I think is of the mindset that it's fine to start "testing" solids at 4 months.  She mentioned at our 4 mo appt that it'd be good to try to give her a taste of some rice cereal.  We really waited till a little after 5 months for any real attempt.  (I did give her a taste of rice cereal at about 4 1/2 mo, but it was just to see what happened, not expecting her to actually eat any of it.)  I don't know if other pedis differ in that approach or what, but Dr. Cepeda did encourage us to go ahead and start to try it after 4 months.

Secondly, A has been a little slow to gain weight, has had reflux, and additionally has had problems getting in enough nutrition overall.  When I approached the good doctor about my concerns with this, she further encouraged a few of the early purees and the rice cereal with the idea that at least we'd be getting a few more calories in her.  Also Dr. Cepeda thought that it may help keep her formula down and reduce the spitting up, so she blessed the rice cereal in the bottle thing.

I don't think I said three "meals" a day; Dr. Cepeda just said she should have a teaspoon or so three times a day.  The idea here being that since she has been very solids resistant, a consistent and frequent exposure to it might help her get used to new textures and flavors.  If she gets a little in, then great!  But we're not hoping for much at this point other than her gumming on a few things so that she can get used to it.

We've done everything at the suggestion/blessing of the doc, and she gave us the green light for ALL foods with the exception ONLY of cow's milk, nuts, and eggs.  She did say to wait on meat/lentils until next month (or a little longer until after A gets used to the textures of things other than formula), but otherwise she even encouraged strawberries, wheat, yogurt, and a few other things that surprised me.  This is why I said I believe that she is inclined more to go along with the research that suggests that delaying/waiting on certain foods may not eliminate allergy concerns.  There are definitely arguements both ways I'm sure, but I feel pretty comfortable following the suggestion of the doctor, especially since I SPECIFICALLY asked her to laundry list for me any foods to avoid.

 I know no one meant to offend me or anything, and I guess I really didn't word my post very well to explain myself.  But I admit I was rubbed the wrong way a little when y'all started to kinda question the approach we're taking. So I thought I'd clarify myself.  I'd hate for anyone else who has gotten the same advice from their pedi to think that they were doing it "wrong" too, ya know?  Anyway.  I was just SUPER stoked that she was "eating" something without throwing an absolute fit...and we can all relate to that, right?

 

Nessia

I don't think you need to defend your approach at all. Every baby us different and for some families and situations it makes sense to start earlier. We started DS earlier than six months because he showed interest in food early. He always loved self-feeding. We don't have any history of allergies so we even introduced eggs before the one year mark :-o You need to what's best for your child. If I've learned anything in the last few years is that someone will always have a different opinion but you can't let it get to you.

AustinAggie

Oh, I'm sorry you felt that way.  I was actually trying to make you feel BETTER.  It sounded to me that you were a bit stressed that you got a "talking to" from the doc and I was trying to let you know that whatever you were doing, was the right thing to do.  Of course we don't all have medical training, but I do believe, in certain instances, we all know our babies and what will/will not work for us.

I replied with the best of intentions, I promise.

HSartteach

AustinAggie:

Oh, I'm sorry you felt that way.  I was actually trying to make you feel BETTER.  It sounded to me that you were a bit stressed that you got a "talking to" from the doc and I was trying to let you know that whatever you were doing, was the right thing to do.  Of course we don't all have medical training, but I do believe, in certain instances, we all know our babies and what will/will not work for us.

I replied with the best of intentions, I promise.

This is how I read your post too.  I wasn't trying to say there was anything wrong with you and your doctor's approach.  To me it read that you were worried about her not eating 3 solids a day and I wanted to let you know at that age L wasn't eating 3 solids a day either.  Sorry for the mis-reading...

ETA:  I think people felt you meant 3 solids a day and not 3 spoonfuls a day due to this in your post: After a stern talking to from Dr. C yesterday about how A should be eating solids 3 times a day.  Not trying to start anything ( I had to re-read to make sure I read it right)...that's why I read and posted what I did.  In any case...I am still glad she found something she likes and will continue to eat it.

CollieJade

Ehhh, no worries, gals.  I think I was just being overly sensitive. I'm pretty stressed about the food situation in general so I'm not surprised I got butt-hurt about it.  It's all good, though.  (And I got to use the term "butt-hurt," which I don't even understand what the he!! it means but it sounded fitting. lol)

Taytee

I think I was thrown off by the word "meals" Thank you for clarifying!

rssnlvr

Dr C(epeda) told us Ali should be having 3 meals a day. Just wanted to put that out there for those who thought that's what CJ meant and were taken aback by it.

ETA: we skipped cereal completely and started with avocado at 5.5 months. Ali wants to add what she thinks:

   jsx n hggdrg vklok knk lkl b (sounds like a rave review )