Moms: When did you start solids?

mrs.magoo

I'm just curious...I know for BFing moms it is recommended to exclusively BFd for 6 months...

I am tempted to start solids with Austin at 4 months, because I know he really won't be eating the food for a meal (like he will the breastmilk), it's more for taste and texture and so he gets the hang of eating...

Shann50952

Dh and I have been talking about this lately and I would at least like to wait till 6 months or even longer.  I am still trying to figure out how long I am going to BF for as when I go back to work in September I am not sure what is going to happen.

WideSmileMama

Right at 6 months with Jakob and a couple weeks later with Caroline.  It was the time that it made the most sense to start (after lip repairs were complete) though, so I know that the case with my kids was a little different than what happens with most.  My pedi always tells me to be reassuring that no matter what, they won't go to college eating baby food so try not to push too hard!

See how Austin does, one thing that your pedi should tell you to watch for is an active interest in eating things other than BM.  If he doesn't show that desire before 6 months old, don't start earlier than that.  There is no rush.

I've also heard that starting too late can be a bad thing too.  It seems like that 6 months number is the magic one for most kids.  I absolutely would not wait until 7 months or more to get started, though!

 

EastCoastFamily

There are some things you need to consider first  before you start feeding solids.  Is Austin sitting up well or does he still need total support to do so from you?  Does Austin show any interest in food?  Does he still thrust his tongue when anything is placed on it (like your finger, for example)?  If he isn't sitting up well, if he's not showing interest in food, and if he still thrusts things out of his mouth, chances are he is not ready for solids.  Alyssa can sit up assisted - we just got her a Bumbo.  And she watches us eat but doesn't seem like she wants any herself.  And she still kicks things out of her mouth so I know she's not ready for me to even think about it yet. 

As Laura said, there is no rush to start solids. 

When you do start, I would suggest trying the rice cereal first, just a little bit, mixed in with the BM.  It is about texture and experience.  Then, gradually move up to other solids, the foods in the jars.  Again, it is more about tesxtures and experiences, not nutrition ... his nutrition will continue to come largely from your BM until he's not eating it anymore and has moved onto solids full-time. 

TeamBlueMama x2

Drake and Jackson both started rice cereal at 3.5 months...they both went through a cluster feeding period and kept wanting more and more so I decided to put in that evening meal of rice cereal to make them fuller. They also wanted/want to grab anything we have an put it in their mouths and they also both sit up well in the highchair/bumbo as well. We then went to oatmeal & fruits and veggies with Drake @ 5 months....he wasn't liking the rice anymore. My big boys just needed/need something more to satisfy them. You know your baby best, if you feel like he would benefit from trying it then give it a try, worst that can happen is that he spits it out and shows he isn't ready. If it doesn't work out then try again in 2 weeks or a month even. He'll be eating solids before ya know it!

MrsNich

I think maybe around 6 months although I am not against starting a little earlier if he seems ready.  I think I will take my cues from him.  If he seems interested in what we are eating, when he seems to be losing the tongue -thrusting reflux.  The pedi said we will discuss at 4 months...so maybe he will suggest earlier based on Jack's growth, etc.  Good Luck with your decision. 

nwlywedsfooreva

Jordan was just under 5 months when we tried rice cereal for the first time. We've only been doing it consistantly, though, for about 2 weeks. We've also tried sweet potatoes and apples. I was going to wait until 6 months, but he just seemed ready. He is sitting up (leaning forward) on his own pretty much all the time, and he was showing very serious interest in our food (he'd literally grab for it or grab our mouths when we were chewing something). It was just the right time. Now, he does one morning feeding at daycare (rice) then just today i tried apples at around 5:00, then we'll do rice again before bed. People were telling me I would know he was ready, and they were right!! So, you'll get a sense. If you feel he's ready, it won't hurt him to try it...if he doesn't like it or doesn't seem interested, then wait a little while and try again! GL

nrkloveswrk

Good question Lisa, I was wondering the same thing...I think I will wait until 6 months or until Mason is ready.  We've been doing things at his pace and it seems to be working for all of us, so I figure we'll continue doing things that way.

harvest-wed

at 5.5 months