Inconsistency with Solids?

[candelaria80]

I was reading a "Guide to Starting Solids" webpage today and it stated that by 8 months a baby "should" be eating solids 3 times a day. I really don't put a lot of stock into what the norm is, but it got me wondering if I need to start becoming more consistant with my DD's solids?

My DD is 7 months, we do BLW with occasional chunky purees. She enjoys food and is starting to get a lot more down, but we generally don't think about it as a meal. 1 or 2 times a week I go into work for 4-5 hours and DH will feed her a cereal and fruit or veggies (I don't provide any milk (pumped) for these instances), but most days when I am with her I will only BF. It is just easier and we both enjoy it.

I was wondering why the word "should" was used? Is it difficult on their digestive system to sporadically practice solids? Is there any benefit to putting her on more of a daily solids schedule?

Thanks!

[CourtBChase]

I don't know what they answer is, but we are pretty much doing the same thing. My little one is just 8 months old, and most nights that we eat at home she will eat bits of what we are eating, plus some cut up veggies or fruit if I have some in the fridge. It really is only in the past week or so that she has started really swallowing much of anything though. Before she mostly just played with it. We tried purees at 6 months and she hated it. I am going by the "before 1 it's just for fun" philosophy. I figure she gets everything she needs from breastmilk, so solids is just about exploring new tastes and textures and being included in family meals.

[lifeguard]

I was pretty inconsistent with solids, especially at first. I would give him 2 or 3 "meals" one day & then bf only for a day or two & then a day with just 1 "meal". He wasn't terribly bothered by it either way & so I only gave him solids when it worked into my day &/or we were eating things he could eat too. I never really made special meals just for him.

He is 17 months now & EVERYONE comments on what a wonderful eater he is. He's not a bit fussy & has a solid appetite (& still bf's a fair bit). Maybe that is all just his personality but at the same time the "inconsistency" of the early months of solids obviously did no disservice to him.

Oh yeah & he is at the top of the height/weight charts so no problems there either.

I say do what works for you & try not to worry about the shoulds. LO will likely reach a point where trying to not give them a full meal every time you eat is not an option.

[Bokonon]

Solids are for fun and practice during the first year. Some babies don't really get the hang of, or like solids, until after 12 months, and end up being good eaters. I was very inconsistent at giving my son solids until he was about 10 or 11 months old, and since about 12 months he's eaten just about everything he could get his hands on.

IMO 3 meals a day at 8 months is a lot. That just displaces any breastmilk that baby would otherwise get, which is more important for their brain development.