Starting solids ???

Re: Starting solids ???

• Temp206787500007404

  March 2010

  (((HUGS)))

  I don't have a book suggestion...just instructions from our pedi.

  Started with rice cereal for 1 week.

  Oatmeal for 1 week.

  He said we could mix in applesauce with either if she didn't like the taste. If I had to do it again, I would skip the rice cereal.

  He said when she was eating cereal and her tongue thrust reflex went away (cereal is just for practice anyway) that we could start 1st Foods purees.  He suggested orange veggies first -- sweet potatoes are all we've done so far.  He suggested a few days to one week of each before moving on. 

  Then move to green veggies.  Then fruits.

  Giving each enough time to make sure she doesn't have a reaction.

  Payton eats about 2 tbsp of oatmeal and 1/2 a container of puree.  He said one meal a day of solids was fine for now.  We still give her a small bottle after she eats too, it hasn't replaced any meals yet.
  

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• AllisonLeigh member

  March 2010

  I always mix rice cereal with everything to give it a little texture. At first I would mix it with applesauce or bananas and he loved it. We then upgraded to sweet potatoes and he loved them so much and ate them so often that his face was stained orange for about a week. Good luck and there really isn't a right or wrong way to do it.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  

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• sdkrlm

  March 2010

  First of all, make sure he's REALLY ready for solids.  The american academy of pediatrics, world health organization, and several other organizations do not recommend starting any solids until after 6 months. 

  Here is a really useful article on determining if your baby is really truly ready for solids - https://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/readyforsolids.htm  

  I think that the pediatricians here in Alabama (in my experience) are still outdated in their recommendation to start rice cereal at 4 months.  Rice cereal is nothing but an empty starch.  The Nutrition it provides is slim to none - it's just for practice...and creating some really gross diapers.   The only nutrients rice cereal adds is the vitamins that have been added to it - you're better off starting with oatmeal cereal if you're wanting to do cereal first.

  You can skip cereals altogether and go straight to veggies.  Our first solid food was butternut squash. 

  www.wholesomebabyfood.com is a great resource on making/preparing your own baby food - and also how much you should feed them...

  You don't feed them much at all - even the 4 oz of baby food that come in jars is too much for their little tummies.  

  I know I am a bit opinionated about this - but I think it's important to do the research about solid foods and infants.  At 4 months old, MANY times, their digestive systems are simply not ready for anything other than formula or breast milk. 

   

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• lilcrablegs

  March 2010

  My pediatrician is adamant about waiting on solids (yes, in Alabama)! That said, we skipped cereal and just started with a few bites here and there. I think it's just important to remember that their nutrition comes from breastmilk or formula and that solids are for learning HOW (motor and social skills) to eat.

  

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• MannaKay

  March 2010

  Hey! I am right there with ya. I have the book, "Healthy Eating for Babies and Toddlers." I think that is the title; either "Eating" or "Meals." It really was a help for me to know what process to follow for different foods, and it also has instructions on making your own baby food.

  Madi really didn't like the cereal or oatmeal, but I starte mixing the cereal with carrots on sunday (because we had just made some) and she LOVES it! Her cute little face is covered in orange and she gets really excited for the next bite. Just get ready for some funky diapers to follow.

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• lisap_30

  March 2010

  lilcrablegs:

  My pediatrician is adamant about waiting on solids (yes, in Alabama)! That said, we skipped cereal and just started with a few bites here and there. I think it's just important to remember that their nutrition comes from breastmilk or formula and that solids are for learning HOW (motor and social skills) to eat.

  Ditto this - and she may be ready, but just make sure she is showing the signs.  There is absolutely no rush to start her on solids if she's not ready just because she is in the "age range" to start.  PP's have also given great suggestions about the order to introduce them = ) 

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• sdkrlm

  March 2010

  I just wanted to add - that I wasn't putting anyone's pedi down - I just have observed there are quite a few recommendations from pedis to start at 4 months  - whereas many of my friends in Portland - most of their pedi's are recommending 6 months.

   My pedi told me at 4 months if I wanted to I could but it would be better to wait to 6 months - so it's not across the board at all.  
  

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• Temp206787500007404

  March 2010

  Ditto pp about waiting to start until she's showing signs -- our pedi recs waiting until 6 months UNLESS your child is meeting 6 month milestones and showing signs of readiness.  Another biggie for us was the amount of formula she was consuming in a 24 hour period (up to 42 oz).
  

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• jennre member

  March 2010

  Thanks for all the advice ladies!  It all really helps!

  

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