Almost time for solids! - Page 2

[lenore80]

Originally Posted by blairinargentina

i am sooooo clueless on this issue... can folks fill me in on the pros and cons of waiting to start solids for a year?

I skimmed the other link, and didn't see this posted.

Recent research suggests if you start solids too early (before 4 months) OR too late (after 6-7months) you run the risk of having your child develop allergies. I am sorry I don't have the article, and I am too lazy to look it up.

We are starting on rice cereal at 5 months (plus a week or two)-so pretty much 6 months. The rice cereal is just kind of a "practice" for eating solids...if baby manages to eat 4 spoonfuls its a feast!

[lifescholar]

I, too, have heard that it's best not to do it too early NOR too late...

I started my son at just over 5 months, because he had started nursing like CRAZY (after nursing every 2.5-3 hours), and it continued for a week....I didn't know what else to do....he had all the "signs" of being ready...he'd been sitting up unsupported for almost a month, he was SUPER interested in our food, and he could pick things up, and I discovered that his tongue-thrust reflex was gone...

I started with cereal, because that's what I thought was best...knowing what I know now, I will start with veggies, fruits, and lentils next time.

I started with spoon feeding, and I think I would do the same next time...somehow I just can't get my head around a baby suddenly going from a completely liquid diet, to having to chew...just like that! To me, purees, or mashed foods, make sense.

I started with quite liquid cereal (mixed with breastmilk), and gradually made it thicker. He never ate much to start, just a few spoons....I would only put the food on the end of the spoon, and wait for him to open his mouth. I never, ever shoved food into his mouth. I would hold the spoon in front of him, and when he was ready, he would lean forward and open his mouth.

I will be changing some things the next time around (and I am REALLY hoping the next one waits until at least 7 or 8 months!), but if I spoon feed, I would do it the same way...

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by lenore80

Recent research suggests if you start solids too early (before 4 months) OR too late (after 6-7months) you run the risk of having your child develop allergies. I am sorry I don't have the article, and I am too lazy to look it up.

This is anecdotal, but my DD who didn't start solids until 12+ months, isn't allergic to anything that I know of (foods, flowers, animals, fabric, etc.). She is 9 now.

If you find this article, I'd be interested in reading it.

Originally Posted by lenore80

We are starting on rice cereal at 5 months (plus a week or two)-so pretty much 6 months. The rice cereal is just kind of a "practice" for eating solids...if baby manages to eat 4 spoonfuls its a feast!

Everything I've read recently has said that grains aren't the best first food. Have you read anything to the contrary? Here's one quick link from Kellymom which also has reference to LLL and first foods http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/so...rst-foods.html

[the_lissa]

Another reason to skip cereal:

“cereals marketed for babies are not sterile and may introduce micro-organisms into the infant's system before it's equipped to handle them.”

http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/AOL/scie...ed_050308.html

[blairinargentina]

does anyone know if there is a link to breastmilk sensitivities (ex: i can't eat dairy because it upsets her stomach now, via breastmilk) and allergies later on? i asked my ped this and she didn't have an answer... though i think there IS an answer out there, just not from her!

anyone know?

[the_lissa]

No link, but some anecdotal evidence- I couldn't eat a lot of dairy when my dd was a baby, and now if she eats a lot of dairy, she gets a rash.

[ColoradoMama]

I have a feeling Louis will be an early eater. He is already showing signs of "solid" food readiness. My oldest started at 5 1/2 months. I was really reluctant to give her anything besides breastmilk, but she showed so many signs of readiness. Finally, I mushed up a banana piece, dh put a little on his finger and she nearly took off his finger!!! My oldest son, on the other hand, didn't start eating solids - at all - until 10 months. My youngest daughter was ready around 8 months. So, we'll see about Louis. My money is on him being ready early - of course, I thought he would be born early, too and he was four days late - sooooooo - I could be wrong!

All the kids have started with banana and avocado. Other first foods were peas, butternut squash, pear, sweet potatoes, and carrots.

[Tofu the Geek]

Originally Posted by the_lissa

No link, but some anecdotal evidence- I couldn't eat a lot of dairy when my dd was a baby, and now if she eats a lot of dairy, she gets a rash.

Lucky baby to be breastfed then, she would have had much more trouble on dairy formula! (not saying that formula was ever an option for you!)

[taradt]

Originally Posted by the_lissa

No link, but some anecdotal evidence- I couldn't eat a lot of dairy when my dd was a baby, and now if she eats a lot of dairy, she gets a rash.

My DD was like this as well, the smallest trace would give her the worst *diaper* rash and stomach cramps that had her up every 45 minutes crying all day/night long. She outgrew it just after she turned 2 and can now have small amounts of dairy, but for the most part we avoid it day-to-day anyways.

tara

[Momtwice]

Both Dr. Jay Gordon and Dr. Bob Sears say it's fine to wait about a year. I believe they debunked the theory that one can start solids too "late" at Kellymom...because that study was about a certain population of special needs children and the findings did not apply universally.

The World Health Organization found that babies who start solids at 4 or 5 months become ill more frequently with infections than those who wait until 6 months. Starting solids early is not just a digestive issue but involves the immune system as well.

Most or all of my post has references at http://www.kellymom.com

Bon appetit!

[peilover010202]

I'll just go by ds2's readiness (nothing before 6 mos though.) With ds1, I tried at about 5-1/2 mos, but he didn't do well (up all night crying), so I didn't try again for another 2-ish weeks, still had problems. So, I think he was about 6-1/2 to 7 mos old before he consistently had solids 1x day ( we tried rice cereal first, then moved on to fruits).

This time, I'll start with veggies (avocado first). At least, that's my plan for now. but, we've got another 6 weeks or more.

[magpiedee]

At our 4 month checkup, my ped said we would discuss solids at the 6 month appointment, so we're cool.

Or, we were, until Cleo took it upon herself to designate her first taste of grownup food today. We were at a tea room with my mothers' group, and I had her in a pouch, and she reached out and grabbed a fistful of salad and salad dressing and stuck her closed fist in her mouth. She had dressing all around her mouth and chin and up to her wrist, and by the time I saw what she was doing, she had licked all the dressing off her fist! I was mortified and worried, but I was able to pry the solids out of her fist and clean off most of the goop, and she seems fine now and has had a big nursing meal.

So. My baby's first food was Mittie's Creamy Vinaigrette. I guess she's getting interested in food now. We just knew she was going to be a rebel. :

[veganf]

Originally Posted by magpiedee

So. My baby's first food was Mittie's Creamy Vinaigrette. I guess she's getting interested in food now. We just knew she was going to be a rebel. :

: That's going to be a GREAT one for the baby book.

Today must be the day. Nate grabbed my cup of water and shoved it to his mouth, so I tipped it up to give him a taste. He was horrified. It was very cold water .
And later I was helping A.J. finish his lunch (rice & beans...he wants every last grain of rice and was having trouble, he's never been great with utensils). I had a banana in my other hand, and Nate took it and put in to his mouth and bit it gently (why can't he do it gently to ME!?) and sort of licked it. He did it a few times, but I don't think he really got any, just kinda tasted it.

[JenMidwife]

omg, you guys are too funny! it's amazing how forceful & how much damage these little babies can do, eh?! we USED to use placemats until erin pulled an entire meal onto her & my lap (not too hot thank goodness!).

Erin's dada is Australian, so her official first food was a lick of Vegemite (which I hate, but have never met an Aussie who doesn't like it). She's 5 months & has shown lots of signs of readiness, so a couple of weeks ago she tasted some mashed banana. Then mashed avacado, then pear. We just tried organic rice cereal mixed w/ breast milk.

So far, everything's gone really well... no upset tummy or rashes. She loves sitting in the high chair & playing w/ a spoon.

She's always grabbing for our cups, so she's had sips of water & LOVES it! We just got a sippy cup for her to play with & chewing on it is good fun for her

But we're still taking it slow.... no agenda & she's nursing great.

[2 in August]

What a difference a month makes. When I posted on 12-20 he was no where near ready, now he's started screeching at me when I eat in front of him. I tried stalling tactics like spoons and cups but he just got more mad at me. So last weekend I gave him a couple sips of my water and he thought it was pretty neat. Monday I gave him a few bites of avocado to eat off my fingers, he seemed to like it. He's had it everyday since, but all told probably less than a tablespoon for the week. Today he grabbed a green bean off my plate and gnawed on it till it got really limp. So I guess we've officially started solids. A little earlier than I was planning, but it seems right and I'm not over feeding or replacing nursing so we are just having fun and letting him explore.

[mamamilkers]

I had never heard that much about not starting with rice cereal, but having heard so much about it here--and then Dr. Sears mentioning it yesterday on Dr. Phil!-- made me through out the box of cereal we had set aside for Eloise.

It's amazing how much your parenting can change from one child to the next, even though my children are only two years apart!

[taradt]

Kienan has been so ready for about a month, but I am holding out. 2 more weeks, I just have to get through the grabbing, yelling and basically telling me off until then

tara

[the_lissa]

I know how you feel Tara. Liam has been grabbing everything. He even got his sister's apple in his mouth, but luckily didn't bite it or get any juice or anything.6 months minimum for us too.

[ColoradoMama]

Originally Posted by magpiedee

So. My baby's first food was Mittie's Creamy Vinaigrette. I guess she's getting interested in food now. We just knew she was going to be a rebel. :

My first son's first food was pizza. Yep - pizza. His sister was eating some on the floor - left her plate on the floor by him - I walked in the room and he's sitting there gnawing on a pizza crust!

Today Louis grabbed guacamole off his dad's plate. Dh caught his hand and wiped if off. He's not even five months yet, but it won't be long.

[veganf]

Originally Posted by taradt

Kienan has been so ready for about a month, but I am holding out. 2 more weeks, I just have to get through the grabbing, yelling and basically telling me off until then

tara

That's how I'm feeling right now too. I want to wait until he's 6 mo 1 wk, since he was born at 37+ weeks.