How to start solids with breastfeeding?

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That was my concern too, when I was at that stage. But it all seemed to work itself out, without my having to orchestrate too much, kwim?

I don't think you have to worry too much about her eating enough to negatively impact your supply, especially since the solids will be in addition to nursing, not as a replacement for any nursing sessions. And don't fret if she's not interested in solids at this point -- my DS was well over a year before he really took any interest in much besides breastmilk, Os, and the occasional chunk of soft fruit. When he did start to eat more, avocado and banana (as well as the above-mentioned sweet potato) were two of my DS's faves early on, and are both quite nutritious. in the beginning I mashed them up and added the BM not so much for the taste, but to help make a smooth consistency.

I also wanted to add that often kids are interested in what the adults are eating, and there's no harm in offering a little of what you have (as long as it's not too heavily spiced, or a choking hazard, of course). Some vegetables or potatoes or brown rice off your plate might go over well. If it's not your thing, you don't have to prepare "baby food" -- you can ease into the transition by just including your child in your meals and gauging her interest that way.

HTH!
~Nick

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Dd was not in the slightest interested in solids until she was 11mos old, and then she *only* wanted it if a) she could feed it to herself, with her hands and b) DH or I were eating it at the same time. We just started out by offering her, from the table, bits of what we were eating. Often I'd leave out allergenic ingredients from a small portion of the food for her (like leave a few chunks of boiled potatoes plain while I mashed the rest with milk). I didn't worry about spices, though, or combined foods, or any strict progression of cereal-fruit-vegetable-meat.

She's almost 16mos now and she's moved on to eating her own little snacks, letting us pop things into her mouth once in a while but mostly still feeding herself (with hands or a utensil).

When you think about it, this really makes sense, because as with every other species where the parent raises the young, humans learn to eat solid foods by watching the adults around them do it and being driven to imitate.

One other thing, when your baby begins to eat solids (as opposed to just playing or experimenting with them) it *will* affect your milk supply. It's supposed to. The beginning of eating solid food is the beginning of the natural weaning process : That's why it's so important not to push for it before your baby is ready and not to push them to eat larger portions than they're interested in. It shouldn't be a problem, though, provided you always offer the breast freely. If you make your milk freely available, there will always be as much as your chid needs.

just came across this thread as it is very timely in our house too
and wanted to acknowledge what girlndocs wrote
it really touched me and makes so much sense
thank you

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