Trying solids....again

Hi! My daughter is 8 months old and luckily a good eater. I waited til she was 6 months old to start her on solids, too. I have a food allergy, so I've been very careful about introducing everything in the right order.

However, a friend of mine (who is also a pediatrician) has a son who is a week older than my daughter, and he just doesn't like baby food. She started out doing what you are, trying, stopping and trying again. She finally just started giving him little bits of regular food that she's eating. How is your son's development as far as pincer grasp, etc? Maybe he's ready for some finger foods? My friend's son is able to eat the Gerber graduates puffs.You might try eating a banana yourself and tearing off little bits of it and letting your son eat it from his high chair. When he sees you eating it, maybe he will be more willing. Good luck!!

A.,

Your handsome son is fine without solids for several months yet. There are so many factors to consider. You do not say if you are breast feeding or formula feeding. Has he indicated he is not satisfied with just breast milk/formula? Are you feeding him right before a normal nursing/bottle time? It is kind of a tight rope for timing...if you try solids when the baby is ready to nurse or have a bottle, they may reject it 'cause that is not what they want. If you try solids too soon after nursing or a bottle, they may reject it 'cause they are too full. Introducing solids should be an "activity" to do with your baby, not a "task" that has a specific amount as a goal. Usually, babies indicate when they are interested in solids by showing you when you are eating that they want to participate too. Don't stress over his seeming disinterest, it is still plenty early. He will want solids eventually!!! I had 8 babies and each was on a different time table in regard to solids, weaning, sleeping, walking, etc. Your little guy will be fine.

Try it in the baby foods...my son's loved the squash! (Gerber/Hinez) Try a variety of the vegetables & desserts. I found it easier to give one spoonful of food & the next dessert...just keep alternating it until he's had enough. I think this will solve your problem & those "BOOKS" are okay for some things but having your own child is a learn as you go process. Good luck & God Bless.

A.,

I have heard many times by authorities in the field (doctors, pediatricians, phychologists) not to worry too much and not to rush. Breastmilk (or formula) is and should remain the main nutrition through the first year. I breastfed exclusively for six months, then began introducing solids (along with breastfeeding).

Some milestones/clues to look for to know he is ready to try solids: Does he seem interested in food when you eat? Does he have teeth? Has he developed the 'pincer' grasp (first finger and thumb)? Is he sitting unsupported?

My pediatrician told it to me like this: you need to introduce solids so he knows what to do (mash food, chew, etc.) later, because he can't be still breastfeeding exclusively at two! His plan is to start with cereals, then go to yellow vegetables, next is fruit, then the other vegetables, with meat introduced last after he is nine months.

I was told introduce a new food every two or three days (I stuck with three just to be sure), but you can mix it up. For instance: If you have already introduced those foods, try something else, because you already know there was no reaction. Give him cereal (or cereal and bananas) and nurse him (or give a bottle) in the morning, then give him carrots (or carrots and cereal, or carrots and sweet potato) in the afternoon and evening along with nursing or bottle, and cereal again before bed with breast or bottle. As always, nurse on damand when he needs or 'asks' for it (or give bottle...you didn't specify which you do). Stick with the same food introduced (carrots in this example), then try something new to add to the table in three days.