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Totally overwhelmed about solids (rant)

Birdies08Birdies08 member
in Attachment Parenting

::sobs:: Can't we just keep EBFing??

We are interested in BLW and decided to delay solids. I have several food sensitivities (not allergies) and digestive issues. Some of this I know is genetic. I want to avoid my daughter going through all this and give her the healthiest start possible. Why is there so much conflicting information on how to do that? I've been reading studies and it sounds like delaying allergens can increase the risk of allergies and sometimes delaying solids in general may do this. Blerg! I keep telling myself to trust my instinct, but it's hard, because I am not a scientist or a GI expert, so I don't feel I know best. And obviously my gut is not trust worthy ;)

I'm just grouchy because I want an easy answer and there isn't one. I think we will stick with our plan to let her play with some food at Thanksgiving (she won't be 6 months, but she's showing all readiness signs, and it will just be for fun) and then starting to offer whole, nutritious foods (unprocessed and organic fruit, meat, veggies) after 6 months.

But when do we do more than that? Like yogurt, whole grains, etc? What did/will you do? Sorry this got so long.

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Re: Totally overwhelmed about solids (rant)

  • SirSleepsALotSirSleepsALot
    Start small and go from there.  Don't stress out over it - have you ever met an adult that didn't eat food?  :D)
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  • rosiemommarosiemomma member

    It is reccommend waiting until 6 months for solids, from what I have learned delaying is the way to help prevent allergies. 

    https://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;100/6/1035 

    https://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html

    https://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/solidfood.html 


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    Little Rose is 2 1/2.
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  • KCKappaKCKappa member

    You CAN (and should) keep EBFing for now. There's plenty of evidence that waiting until at least 6 months old to start solids - and possibly even later than that - can prevent digestive issues, intolerances and allergies. Once solids are introduced, there's some debate about when to introduce potentially allergenic foods, but I haven't read any studies that suggest staying EBF longer might increase the risk of allergies. Plus, starting solids can seem fun and exciting, but after a few days you realize it just means more work, stinkier diapers, etc.

    As far as what we did - we waited until 6 months, then started a mix of BLW (giving regular table foods DD can gnaw on, like steamed broccoli) and spoon foods (oatmeal, mashed banana, pureed carrots, etc). We only offer once a day (when DH and I are having dinner) and we nurse beforehand so she's not starving. Over the past five weeks, she's maybe eaten 6-7 bites max of anything on any one night; most evenings she just gums on a sweet potato spear for a few minutes or swallows a spoonful or two of mashed bananas. Our DCP keeps telling me I need to bring baby food for her during the day, but I know she's getting all of her nutrition from BM still and doesn't NEED them to spoonfeed her anything, so we're not doing it. We'll probably think about adding a second offering of solids at breakfast time when she's 8 or 9 months.

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  • BlindysWifeBlindysWife member
    Wholesomebabyfood dot com has a great chart breaking down the months and what foods to introduce. :)

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  • LouiseB2001LouiseB2001 member
    imageKCKappa:

    You CAN (and should) keep EBFing for now. There's plenty of evidence that waiting until at least 6 months old to start solids - and possibly even later than that - can prevent digestive issues, intolerances and allergies. Once solids are introduced, there's some debate about when to introduce potentially allergenic foods, but I haven't read any studies that suggest staying EBF longer might increase the risk of allergies. Plus, starting solids can seem fun and exciting, but after a few days you realize it just means more work, stinkier diapers, etc.

    As far as what we did - we waited until 6 months, then started a mix of BLW (giving regular table foods DD can gnaw on, like steamed broccoli) and spoon foods (oatmeal, mashed banana, pureed carrots, etc). We only offer once a day (when DH and I are having dinner) and we nurse beforehand so she's not starving. Over the past five weeks, she's maybe eaten 6-7 bites max of anything on any one night; most evenings she just gums on a sweet potato spear for a few minutes or swallows a spoonful or two of mashed bananas. Our DCP keeps telling me I need to bring baby food for her during the day, but I know she's getting all of her nutrition from BM still and doesn't NEED them to spoonfeed her anything, so we're not doing it. We'll probably think about adding a second offering of solids at breakfast time when she's 8 or 9 months.

    I read your post on my phone earlier and this is pretty much what I wanted to reply. Don't stress about it. I don't believe any of the 'new' guidelines of early introduction to prevent allergies are really proved long-term. My DD had little interest in food and I am serious when I say that if there is a next time, I will wait until 7 months to introduce regular food (as in once/day), it is a hassle and it will take 6-8 months anyway before they are on full solid foods.  

    Single mom of DD (2010), TTC #2 since June 2013.
    Occasionally I'm blogging about my life with flybaby.
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  • PepperStickPepperStick member
    I just wanted to agree about not stressing about it. We tried to start DD on cereal at 4 months and it was a complete fail. I was so ready to jump into it. We then switched to BLW but I was really lax about that. I don't think she got solids consistently until she was around 8 months old. And that was maybe once a day. She was growing and thriving on BFing alone, so I stopped stressing about solids.
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  • Birdies08Birdies08 member

    Thanks, everyone. I just wish there was a general consensus about what is best for our children's health. We all want to do the right thing, but different sources tell you different things are "right". It's just aggravated by the fact that I deal daily with digestive issues and want to avoid my daughter having to deal with that.

    I think you're all right- being relaxed and having fun with it is the way to go. Sometimes the decisions we have to make for our children just get overwhelming, but this should be an enjoyable process for everyone. Despite my misgivings, I am excited to start table food.

    Thanks again :) 

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