UPDATE in Post 28~~HOW / When to start solids?? And, Rice Cereal - Yes or No??

[ForeverYoung]

Okay, so my baby will be 5 months old next week. We are debating when to start solids. With my first baby, we started him at 5 month, 4 months with my second, and here we are now - debating! (The first two were super eaters, and hungry all the time...) Now, with my daughter, she does have a great appetite, but we haven't felt like we just have to start her yet.

That said, how do/did you decide WHEN?? My pediatrician said at her four month appointment that she was doing fine, and I could start her pretty much any time I wanted to. He also recommended not to wait a whole lot past six months to start her because well, I don't remember why - something about that it would help her be more picky, or something. I will have to remember what he said.

What do YOU think? What made you choose what you have chosen - as far as when you started, or plan on starting?

HOW did you start?

I bought some rice cereal today. I saw the rice cereal that gerber has with DHA in it. I thought that was neat. But, my daughter is currently exclusively breast fed, so I'm not sure that's a huge issue, so much as it's nice that it's added.

However, I have seen a lot of differing opinions on rice cereal, so I need someone to edjumucate me on the ins and outs of why to or not to use it as a first food. I did with both of my first babies, cause that's all I knew...but why? I'm not opposed to it but why? I will mix it with breast milk and not just water but still...

So, your thoughts?? I look forward to hearing what may be a diverse set of replies! Thanks ahead of time!

[musicalisa]

Rice cereal is a great starter food if you have a history of food allergies in your family. However, if all is well on that front you might consider starting with something that's naturally nutritious, such as banana or sweet potato.

I'm sure you've read the standard when should you start solids type lit, but you might also find Baby-led Weaning (where "weaning" = the UK definition – starting solids) interesting. Happy pondering!

[junejay4life]

with my 1st and 2nd we started the day they turned 6 months with the nasty rice cereal

with my 3rd I did some more research. I decided to wait until she was ready, which was close to 10 months. She will eat pretty much anything. My other 2 are more picky.

I started with avocado. Then i just started giving her what we were eating for dinner. She was ebf to. She wasn't on any meal schedule until more like 13-14 months, maybe longer.

I decided not to start with rice cereal for 1 my other kids had no allergies, and allergies don't run in either side of our family. and 2 because there is no nutrition in it.

good luck on your journey on starting solids

[stephcrouse]

I am interested in hearing what people suggest/say, as well. My big baby is 4.5 months. He seems fine with just breastmilk for now...I am in no rush. I have heard rice cereal isn't really the greatest thing to start with. So, what is?

[junejay4life]

Originally Posted by stephcrouse I am interested in hearing what people suggest/say, as well. My big baby is 4.5 months. He seems fine with just breastmilk for now...I am in no rush. I have heard rice cereal isn't really the greatest thing to start with. So, what is?

I think avocado is a great starter food

www.wholesomebabyfood.com is a great site for making your own food and looking for what are good foods for starting solids.

[ForeverYoung]

Ladies, thank you so much for your thoughts so far. Keep 'em coming!!

Lisa - I will go check out that link now. Thanks for sharing!
I have just recently found that website June! It is WONDERFUL!!! It really is opening my eyes...and making me realize that I CAN make my own food. I have been pondering this as well, and think I may do it. It stands to reason that it'd be more cost effective, right?

Also, June, your story sounds a lot like mine. I do have a question though. At 10 months, how did you know she was ready?

Neither of my kids had food allergies, that I knew of...there are allergies, but not to foods so far - things like mold, pet dander, etc...

Oh, and one other question...hmmmmmm, once I remember what it was, I'll come back and ask! (I stopped typing to finish getting one of my kiddos ready for bed, and well, came back and forgot...mommy brain!! )

Ah, see - now I remember!

Isn't it better to start off with veges vs fruits/sweet potatoes? I ask only because I have always heard that if they eat fruits or sweet things, that they will be less likely to want to eat veges...stands to reason. Your thoughts?

Okay, as I think of more, I shall come back and ask...but, for now, I will stop rambling. Thank you ladies so much for your thoughts and comments!

[beesbaby2]

I started DD1 on cereal at 5 1/2 months. I went back to work part-time shortly before and my milk supply just kept going down. I sadly switched her to formula at 5 months. The dr said they shouldn't have more than 32 oz of formula a day and to start solids if she did. We started with cereal because we have a family history of food allergies. Then I started with veggies because like you said, I thought giving her fruits might make her less likely to eat the veggies. It seemed to work fine for us. With DD2, I plan to BF longer, but will probably still start solids at 6-7 months.

[junejay4life]

Originally Posted by ForeverYoung Ladies, thank you so much for your thoughts so far. Keep 'em coming!! Lisa - I will go check out that link now. Thanks for sharing! I have just recently found that website June! It is WONDERFUL!!! It really is opening my eyes...and making me realize that I CAN make my own food. I have been pondering this as well, and think I may do it. It stands to reason that it'd be more cost effective, right? Also, June, your story sounds a lot like mine. I do have a question though. At 10 months, how did you know she was ready? Neither of my kids had food allergies, that I knew of...there are allergies, but not to foods so far - things like mold, pet dander, etc... Oh, and one other question...hmmmmmm, once I remember what it was, I'll come back and ask! (I stopped typing to finish getting one of my kiddos ready for bed, and well, came back and forgot...mommy brain!! ) Ah, see - now I remember! Isn't it better to start off with veges vs fruits/sweet potatoes? I ask only because I have always heard that if they eat fruits or sweet things, that they will be less likely to want to eat veges...stands to reason. Your thoughts? Okay, as I think of more, I shall come back and ask...but, for now, I will stop rambling. Thank you ladies so much for your thoughts and comments!

My daughter was showing real interest. Not just just 5 month old that is interested in everything. I guess I just knew.
I just did what my daughter wanted. I didn't make sure to start with veggies or fruits. I believe that after avocado we did banana. but then it was more so what we were eating. If i made mashed potatos for dinner, i would pull hers out before adding any salt or butter.
Just keep watching her. You will know when she is truly ready

[nrsenadenos]

Ok, I didn't read the other posts, here is our experience:

DD1 - we started at four months per our doctor (family practitioner, not the same doctor she sees now). We did start with rice cereal mixed with breastmilk. She loved solids, and we added in a new one every 3-4 days. I made my own baby food. She always liked hers thicker, and we never had any issues.

DD2 - we waited until 6 months to start solids, and even then she wasn't ready (was diagnosed with SPD) and would gag and choke. We started trying the rice cereal. We ended up waiting until 9 months to start them again due to some weight gain issues (I got pregnant when she was 5 months old and my milk dried up but I didn't know it and she lost weight) so they had her on preemie formula for a couple of months. Even then she still gagged and choked on anything that wasn't a smooth puree. It was close to a year before we even attempted table food because of this. She still remains a very picky eater, especially with food that has too much "texture" to it.

DS2 - we also waited until 6 months. This little man was born loving to eat. I didn't bother with the baby food for more than two weeks before he was eating table food - he snatched a piece of garlic bread three days after his 6 month birthday and went to town. Never had a problem. In fact, he gained 5.5 pounds between his 9 month appointment and his one year appointment, bumping him from under the 50th percentile for weight to the 75th (he's in the 90th for height, so no worries). I do worry though that he doesn't know when to stop, as he doesn't appear to have that self-regulatory instinct yet - he'd eat all day I swear.

[sillymama]

DD#2 is 5.5 months and two days ago I gave her mushed up banana, and yesterday some applesauce (the natural kind - no sugar added). I also started DD#1 at 5.5 months, but in retrospect, I could have waited longer with her. DD#2 is totally ready, and will pull the spoon into her mouth (not that everything isn't going straight into her mouth these days ). I didn't look at the website, but one of the cues I use is if the baby is watching the food when you eat. Also, just trying. If you mash up a little banana and she doesn't seem interested at all then wait a couple weeks and try again. In the beginning it is more about learning to eat a new way than actual nourishment from the food.

I don't think it really matters in the beginning if you start with fruits or veggies. Everything is a new taste. Remember that it can take up to a dozen times of trying something new before a child will eat it. I made all of DD#1's baby food and I used the rice cereal to thicken it. I would microwave the baby food (I kept it all frozen) and then add rice cereal to get it to the desired consistency. If I got it too thick I would add water, or if it was too hot, I would swish an ice cube around in it. DD#1 would never eat rice cereal by itself, and I don't blame her. It really wasn't hard to make baby food, but it can be messy and time consuming. I'm planning on doing it again (I picked up some sweet potatoes last night) but I'm somewhat dreading doing it again. The savings totally out ways the downsides though. Good luck!