Tips for introducing solids?

NJinAustin

LO is 6 months old tomorrow and we just started feeding him solids last week. We started with rice cereal and could tell he was ready for a Hungry Man Dinner! He's now eating avocado. It's exciting and fun once we're doing it but, I've been putting it off knowing I can barely balance my work schedule and BFing him... he takes at least 40 min in the morning and again in the evening to nurse. And then there's how I'm weirdly jealous that daycare will get to have "all the fun" feeding him. I guess I know we can be the first to introduce a new food on the weekends... it's just that we get so little time with him already during the week. : (

- Recs for websites with a breakdown of what's best to introduce in what order

- What will help with constipation vs. runny diapers?

- Do you BF and then do solids or do solids as a separate feeding?

- How much do I feed him? 

- How do you juggle daycare bottle prep AND daycare food prep?

- Is it really worth the effort making my own or is the time saved buying jarred food worth it? My sis bought me a cool baby food processor maker and it seems like it'll be fun to use.. it also just seems like "one more thing" to think about.

- If you make your own... what's your system to save time? Do you set aside a few hours on the weekend and freeze it in cubes so that it's a no brainer during the week?

- When did feeding your LO sort of "level out" in your brain and you didn't have to over think it all... or does that just never go away?!

Thanks!

atlantic

- Recs for websites with a breakdown of what's best to introduce in what order

https://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ (I used this site almost exclusively)

- What will help with constipation vs. runny diapers?

I don't know that we had this challenge!

- Do you BF and then do solids or do solids as a separate feeding?

We BF first and then did solids.  ]

- How much do I feed him? 

They really will tell you.  I was always worried that I was feeding too much or too little, but don't even worry about that now.  I usually prepared probably the equivalent of 1/4 c or less when she was 6 mos.

- How do you juggle daycare bottle prep AND daycare food prep?

I just threw a couple baby food cubes in the bag and did it the night before.

- Is it really worth the effort making my own or is the time saved buying jarred food worth it? My sis bought me a cool baby food processor maker and it seems like it'll be fun to use.. it also just seems like "one more thing" to think about.

We have the Beaba and used it some and just bought some stuff too.
It's easy. I would just make some as we were sitting down watching tv on a weekend or whatnot.  We bought these https://tinyurl.com/3e2gur6 but you can just use ice cube trays.  Once we started more complex foods and flavors (mixed things, etc.) we kind of abandoned making our own - i felt like there were tastier options that would better "advance her palette" and were organic offered in the store.  We did a few jars, but mostly the packets (brand names totally escape mea the moment).

- If you make your own... what's your system to save time? Do you set aside a few hours on the weekend and freeze it in cubes so that it's a no brainer during the week?

- When did feeding your LO sort of "level out" in your brain and you didn't have to over think it all... or does that just never go away?! Okay, so i'm sorry to say that it hasn't gone away!  We're now in toddler-picky land and i'm always worried she's not eating enough veggies, not exploring enough different foods, etc.  The good thing is now she eats at school for lunch so we no longer have to worrya bout preparing lunch!

christym0606

- Recs for websites with a breakdown of what's best to introduce in what order

 ditto wholesomebabyfood.com

- What will help with constipation vs. runny diapers?

I think rice cereal can cause constipation, prunes and pears can help things get moving again

- Do you BF and then do solids or do solids as a separate feeding?

Solids as separate feedings, in between BFing or bottles (started at one feeding every day or two, and now we're up to 3 meals a day).  ETA: during the week, daycare does two feedings, and we do the third at home)

- How much do I feed him? 

Follow his cues.  We do the little gerber containers, and I think at the beginning DD would eat 1/2 of one per feeding.  Now she'll take 1 1/2 (or one of the larger stage 2 containers)

- How do you juggle daycare bottle prep AND daycare food prep?

They keep a box of her rice cereal at DC.  Once or twice a week I send several of the gerber containers, as well as spoons and bowls (they don't provide them at our DC).  Daily, in addition to bottles I'll send a small bottle of milk (2-3 oz) for mixing with cereal, if they so desire (DC staff mix up the cereal themselves)

- Is it really worth the effort making my own or is the time saved buying jarred food worth it?

I totally intended on making my own purees, but that lasted all of one weekend.  Decided I preferred the convenience (and variety) of the pre-made stuff.

- When did feeding your LO sort of "level out" in your brain and you didn't have to over think it all... or does that just never go away?!

Maybe a month of figuring it out as I went?  It definitely gets easier after a week or two of figure out what works best for you.

BTW, we always try new foods at home.  Lets us have the fun in seeing her try out new foods, and also allows us to keep an eye out for a reaction (DD actually did have one, to squash)