Attempting first solids

[Canadian_Mom]

I have been attempting to feed my LO rice cereal for the last week with little results.  He does not really open his mouth for the food (but if I give him a toy, his mouth opens right up!).  There has been a few swallows during our feeds, but I don’t really know what to do.  He is over 6 months, and I was also 2 weeks overdue when I had him.  So I don’t think I should really wait any longer to give him solids.  He has all the signs of been ready to eat solids.  Also, we just started to do 2 naps, and feeding would be a lot easier with some meals of solid food to help tide him over.  I have some squash that I might try feeding him tomorrow.  I don’t know if he doesn’t like the rice cereal?  Or if there is some other way to try to feed him?  I know that solids are “extra” foods, so if this is the way it is going to be for the next few weeks, so be it.  But I am afraid that if I wait any longer it might get harder to get him to eat the solids…kwim?  Anyone else have this problem?

[Lolly]

Rice cereal is pretty disgusting ! Have you thought about baby led weaning - if he is putting toys in his mouth maybe he would prefer to feed himself. Have a look at this link http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=92560.0.

We have done a combination of puree and finger foods from the start with my two. DD has been way better from the start at feeding herself, but both have gone through (currently going through ) periods where they refuse everything and seem to eat nothing. It's very frustrating .

What do you think?

Laura

[Lissybits]

I think it's quite normal for babies not to be that enthusiastic with the first foods, but it doesn't mean he will never eat them! It does take time for them to master the art of swallowing too.

Have you tried mixing the rice with pureed fruit - ripe apple or pear? They are both naturally sweet so usually popular with LO's You could also play around with the consistency too. I found with Leo the runnier the better with him in the beginning.
And it took a whole month of gently trying any type of veg combination before Leo started eating it!!!
Don't make a fuss if he doesn't eat what you offer. Just give words of encouragement and lots of smiles to make eating a happy time - patience is def the key

The main nutriton and calories will come from formula or breast milk for most of his first year so there's another factor not to stress out about weaning!
Take it slowly and use this board for lots of great advice and recipes!
Hope this helps a bit
Good luck
Lis x

[Canadian_Mom]

Lolly - I did read the BLW info, but I will admit that it is a little scary for me!  My LO would probably love it (he is certainly the indepentent type), but I don't think I could do it!  My family has lots of serious allergies so I think that might make BLW a little to complex for me.

Mealtime is certainly fun time for us.  He sits in his highchair and we have lots of fun.  I give him a bite of his food and I eat some of mine while I give him time to process what exactly is in his mouth.  I give him lots of praise and encouragement   I was just hoping that what I was doing was OK, or if there was something else I should try.  I think I might try a cereal/fruit mix.  Maybe that might make it taste better!

[Lissybits]

Yes, you're doing fine!!!!  Just keep on as you are
As I said before, it took Leo a WHOLE month before he ate veg that I offered every day
I also give Leo finger food most days to suck/chew/drop on floor while I'm getting his food ready. Steamed sticks of carrot, apple, pear and fingers of bread

Your little boy is gorgeous BTW!
Let us know how you get on
xx

[First Time Mom]

I agree, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as it's a long one . All babies are different, and in the beginning it's just about textures/tastes so make it fun, it's not a big deal if they spit out food and/or don't like something. Keep in mind it takes 15 tries of a food to really determine if a lo likes/dislikes a food.

My ds is now just over 7 months, he sort of likes his food but doesn't show any hungry signs when I put him in his highchair, rather, he just eats what I feed him with no expression to show if he likes it or not. In the beginning he made a wincing face with every bite! We were up to 2 meals a day (very small ones) but then he really cut back on the bfing so we went back down to 1 meal, just started a small 2nd meal again of veggie (or fruit). My dd at this age was eating 3 meals of solids, bfing well, and eating meat and other proteins! They all have their own pace!

[Canadian_Mom]

So we just finished breakfast...yes FINISHED breakfast.  I started out by mixing in a bit of pears, and feeding just as normal.  He just sat there and stared at me.  It was like he was wondering what we were doing.  The only time that he actually opened his mouth was the one or two times that he kind of put the spoon into his mouth on his own.  But by the time the spoon hit his mouth, there was no food left on it!  (I know, BLW would be perfect for him) Then I took a break and ate some of my breakfast.  Then I thought that maybe he doesn't like the spoon (or it is still too new to him.)  So I tried feeding him with my finger, as he is ALWAYS putting my fingers in his mouth.  Success!!  After a few finger feeds I would give him a spoon feed.  He actually opened his mouth when he saw the food coming.  Who knew that rice cereal could be made into finger food   It is certainly a much messier way to eat, but I think this time was the most food he got into his mouth (and everywhere else!).  I at least had fun doing it, hopefully he did too!  So...one day down...tomorrow will probably be different!  Thanks for the support!

[ChristinaMarie]

My DD also did not like rice cereal. I had found that using oatmeal cereal instead is what she preferred. Also, it has to be a little more on the runny side, even now with her being 9 months old. I will also mix her cereal with baby food bananas (or really any other fruit now)and she loves it.

[Khalam's Mama]

My LO took 7 weeks from starting (1 week before 6 months) to actually being interested in eating any meal and I thought he would never get the hang of it but now he loves his food. He loves baby rice now but never seemed bothered at the start. I could only get the purees in to him at the beginning by dipping some finger food in and letting him suck it off or letting him hold the spoon and he would suck it but this was messy. My nephew would only eat if he could hold a toy but my LO gets too busy eating the toy to get any food in so each one if different. At the beginning it is alot about learning to use the tongue to push food around and keep the food in the mouth by keeping the bottom lip in etc and really not that important what goes into the tummy. Sure you are doing a great job.

[Canadian_Mom]

Today I went back to just the rice cereal, but using my finger...he accepted it!  I will keep trying with the spoon though.  I am glad to see that I am not the only one has had to try different ways to get the food in   I tried the toy thing as well, but my LO was the same as yours Khalam's mama. Thanks!

[firsttimemomnh]

My DD is 6.5 months old and I am also struggling with feeding her solids. She closes her lips so tight, that I cant put anything in her mouth. Pretty frustrating! Not sure what to do, so I just keep trying. I couldn't put my finger in her mouth, she opens her mouth only for the bottle.

[Canadian_Mom]

Don't worry, I am still in the same boat as you! My DS still has really good days, but MANY more low intake of solids days.  The finger feeding/sucking works occasionally, and he will take the odd bite from the spoon.  The other day he was playing with the bowl of cereal, so I put it up to his mouth and he "drank" some of the cereal!  After about 4-5 times of that he finished the bowl!  Sometimes he is not interested in the food when we first start out the meal, but when I am finished my breakfast he will decide that he will let a few bites in.  He still likes to take control of the feedings, so if I make the rice cereal a little stickier with pears he can get some of the food into his mouth with "his" spoon.  Every day is certainly an adventure.  I think tomorrow I might try a bigger spoon and see if that makes any difference.  He is really good at swallowing the solids (has not gagged once, even with drinking from the bowl), but it is certainly a challenge just getting that food in there!
Also, he does not eat very much on a good day.  The most he has eaten is 5mL of the dry rice cereal mixed with 20-25mL of formula.

FTM - maybe try adding some fruit to the cereal?? I know that the first time I did that even though the pears were just on his lips he noticed a difference in the taste and gave me a reaction.  Maybe your DD needs a little "jolt" like that to notice that there is something different going on?  Or as some of the other mom's suggested to dip a toy/finger food in the cereal and let her suck it off?

[Canadian_Mom]

Update...you were all right.  My LO has now done 3 days in a row of successful breakfasts.  One tbsp of veggies, one tbsp of cereal (it has to be very thick and almost chunky), and about 1/2oz from a cup (lots of sips!).  He now eats from a spoon, opening his mouth as the spoon comes his way!  Only 3.5 weeks, but we got there!  Just wanted to let everyone else know that if you keep at it, though it feels like you wont EVER get there, one day that switch flips in their little brains.  A few days ago he all of a sudden realized what a spoon does ("Oh mommy, I didn't know that was what you wanted me to do!").  Thanks again for all the support!

[First Time Mom]

Good to hear!
My ds is now eating more too but he always starts funny with a new food and makes these "yuck, I don't like this" face. Persistence does it every time.

[Canadian_Mom]

I love that face!  It's like "what in the world did you just put in my mouth!!".

[WIPsMom]

This topic was really helpful as I literally started 7 days ago with my DS with solids at "lunch".  He will be 5 months this week (I started my first son at 4 months and he got it right away re: solids with carrots first).  

DS #2 doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with it.  He mostly closes his lips tight. I first tried carrots which he just hated.  Then after 3 days I tried rice cereal and at least he didn't seem disgusted once I could get it into his mouth.  But he never willingly opens his mouth.  When he sees his bottle he's all excited.  I usually just "sneak" it in there very runny rice cereal mixed with formula.  Should I keep at it or stop and try again in a few weeks?  Or can I try adding some pear or apple or is he too young at  5 months for pear/apple mixed into the rice?  The last two days I managed about 5-7 tiny "baby spoons" then finishing off with his milk between 100 and 140ml.  He doesn't gag but as mentioned he's just not "asking" for the solids so I'm not sure what to do?  Keep at it?  Try adding fruit?

Oh... one other question... I noticed since starting the solids that his overall intake of milk each day has gone down from about total 700-800ml to 600-700ml. He still sleeps from 7pm to 5:30am but is it normal for him to drink less with so little solids added at this point?
Thanks for the help!

[Khalam's Mama]

5 months is still quite young. Babies are good at knowing how much food they need so it is probably best not to sneak it in even though I know it is really tempting. He doesn't need the solids for nutrition at this age so I would just keep offering it and if he accepts it great and if not let him come around in his own time. My son was 7.5 moths before he started really wanting the solids even though we started trying a week before 6months old. You don't really want his milk to decrease as a result of his solids increasing as milk is still the main form of nutrition at this age and the solids are more for learning  than nutrition at this stage. I am not up on FF though so not sure if this is a significant decrease or not, but the idea is at 6 months they start needing more than milk and that is in the form of solids but the solids shouldn't replace the milk but suppliment it. HTH

[Canadian_Mom]

I agree.  Don't force it.  I know I tried a variety of ways to get the food in (finger, different spoons etc), but I think that was more to keep me entertained and feel like I was doing something If my LO turned his head away or kept his lips closed I would stop.  I would try a couple more times during my breakfast, but never forced it.  My LO also gets excited when he sees his bottle, so I figured if he knows if he wants something in his mouth or not!