[Honey693]

We started solids tonight with DD and now I have no idea where to go. She had about a tablespoon of sweet potato and loved it. I know that's a lot for starting, but she kept grabbing the spoon and looked ridiculously so I figured what the heck, we'll feed her a little more. Now I have no idea what to do. Do I feed her every day, when do I offer solids more than once a day, how much do I give her, etc? EBF was so easy b/c I fed her when she looked hungry and she told me when she was done. Will she do that with solids?

 

[alegna]

When I started, I only offered a few times a week at first.

I'd offer bit she can self feed and see what she does.

-Angela

 

[sgmom]

At just shy of 7 months, we're still new to solids (we started a bit early), but I thought I'd offer how I started (and where we are now).

We started at a tbsp (or so) of rice cereal per day (or whenever I remembered - sometimes only a few times per week), followed by the cereal mixed with whatever foods from those little jars (she didn't seem to like the puree's on their own... too sweet, I think) and some breastmilk or formula mixed in for consistancy. She still won't eat much more than 1-2 tbsp at a time.

That turned into a routine of breastfeed when she wakes up, followed by cereal a couple hours later before her nap. Then (sometimes), more cereal around dinner time (following breast or bottle before bed).

That lasted only a couple weeks before I decided to do BLW, so now she gets the cereal in the morning (sometimes), and whatever she can "gnaw" on at dinner with us (ie. whole steamed carrot, chunk or potato, broccoli, banana, etc). During the day I share a few small bites of anything I'm eating.

She has always opened wide and grabbed my hand to shove the food into her mouth when hungry, and pushed it away when done. She's a small eater, so I pretty much let her eat when she wants, and how much she wants.

That said, I do think there is a limit as to how much solids they should eat at such a young age. Always feed your breastmilk or formula FIRST, and as a main source of nutrition before offering any solids.

 

[amberg007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgmom At just shy of 7 months, we're still new to solids (we started a bit early), but I thought I'd offer how I started (and where we are now). We started at a tbsp (or so) of rice cereal per day (or whenever I remembered - sometimes only a few times per week), followed by the cereal mixed with whatever foods from those little jars (she didn't seem to like the puree's on their own... too sweet, I think) and some breastmilk or formula mixed in for consistancy. She still won't eat much more than 1-2 tbsp at a time. That turned into a routine of breastfeed when she wakes up, followed by cereal a couple hours later before her nap. Then (sometimes), more cereal around dinner time (following breast or bottle before bed). That lasted only a couple weeks before I decided to do BLW, so now she gets the cereal in the morning (sometimes), and whatever she can "gnaw" on at dinner with us (ie. whole steamed carrot, chunk or potato, broccoli, banana, etc). During the day I share a few small bites of anything I'm eating. She has always opened wide and grabbed my hand to shove the food into her mouth when hungry, and pushed it away when done. She's a small eater, so I pretty much let her eat when she wants, and how much she wants. That said, I do think there is a limit as to how much solids they should eat at such a young age. Always feed your breastmilk or formula FIRST, and as a main source of nutrition before offering any solids.

I read somewhere (forget where) that it is not good to mix BM with foods b/c it distrupts the absorbtion of nutrients in the BM. I suppose that if you continue to BF on demand throughout the day that the babe still gets plenty of the good stuff, however? Thoughts on This?

BTW-my Dd is just shy of 7mo and she is just exploring tatses & textures right now. I usually just mash up food with a fork and give it to her. Most times she does not want more than a taste so I assume she is not ready for "meals." I too have been thinking, "what now?" "how is this supposed to progress?" I guess just follow the LO needs.

 

[sgmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amberg007 I read somewhere (forget where) that it is not good to mix BM with foods b/c it distrupts the absorbtion of nutrients in the BM.

This almost makes sense as they digest at completely different rates, but I'm not suggesting that you feed them in the same meal. Just that you feed the breastmilk first. I usually wait a couple hours before offering solids. I don't think it matters all that much though when starting out though, as all they're getting is a tbsp at most and not a complete meal.