questions about starting solids - do I have to start with purees?

[Omsmom]

DD is 5.5 months old and exclusively bf right now. But she seems very very interested in food the past few days. She will stare at me constantly as I eat in front of her, to the extent that I feel guilty eating. I'm guessing that means she is ready and I want to try giving her some solids.

Do I have start with purees? Or is it alright give her small bits of fruits and let her try to self-feed? What are the best food to start with? when is it ok to give her yogurt, cheese, bread?

[Abraisme]

I've never given either of my children pureed food. They both started eating around 5mo because of extreme interest. I start with something bland the first few times and then move up quickly. My 6.5mo now pretty much tastes anything I'm eating (only the healthy things) that are soft enough for her to chew with her gums. She had strawberries and bagel this morning for breakfast. She's able to chew and swallow everything I give her, has a pincher grasp and sits unassisted (all the signs of readiness). Good luck!

[ann_of_loxley]

That doesn't ness mean she is ready for solid foods. We are human and humans are social creatures that learn by seeing and doing. She is just being social - wanting to copy you and do what you do and learn how to be a human in your society.
Can she sit up unaided? - That is a pretty important factor! (if she can not - I suggest you give her a bowl and spoon to play with at mealtimes - this will help her feel invovled and its rather good entertainment for the both of you! Some people also freeze their breastmilk in ice cube trays and offer that to their babies in a bowl to play around with at mealtimes so they are active in a normal everyday family 'activity')

If she can - then there is no need to start with purees. In fact, I (and a large group of people and organisations) will recommend that you don't do purees at all! (there really is no need and theres a lot of research that suggests it is best to avoid them all together - they are calling this 'baby led weaning' or 'baby led solids'. Just how breastfeeding is 'baby-led' - so too can be the start of other foods in their lives.)

Start with chunks (of a size she can pick up - not too big or small) of fresh soft foods. Such as maybe avocado or papaya. Put this on the table in front of her when you are having a meal as well and let her explore.

Remember - starting solids before a year old is just about that - exploring. It is not actually about eating, getting nutrience, or filling them up. That is what breastmilk is for. So do not be surprised or gutted if she is not actually eating any of it but rather feeling it, squishing it about, licking it, rolling it around in her mouth and spitting it all out. It is perfectly normal and healthy for small children to not actually want to be eating any foods until well after a year of age.

Eventually you will know what she does and does not like - and also what she can and can not handle. For example, my son had a LOT of teeth (like 13) at 9 months of age - so could handle raisins and grapes just fine...whilst a child with no teeth or very few may not be safe with those foods. You can also steam lots of nice veg as well - such as sweet potato, etc - let it cool and then let her try it.

[Zevy]

Provided it is soft enough that she doesn't need to really chew it and wont' choke on it, it should be fine. I skipped rice cereal and started with semi-purreed veggies. As it has been said, it is less about nutrition and more about playing and experiencing food.

[boobs4milk]

millie does that whole watching it all the way to my mouth thing. if she gets hungry at the table i nurse her. she's not ready and we are doing baby led weaning with her. she's a little delayed so it will be a while as the big thing we'll wait on it the pincher grasp.

[hotharmony]

I would suggest getting the book "Baby Lead Weaning" by Gill Rapley. It will explain everything from signs she really is ready to how to prepair food to what size is appropriate for a LO.

I suggest things that are larger, think the size of steak fries. So she can pick it up with her hands and hold it while chewing on one end. That way it's not a choke hazard. And soft like banana, avacado, roasted sweet potato ( they have lots of iron), large pieces of steak and or chicken.