new to solids - quick question...

[katemom]

Hi,

We just started rice cereal with our 5 month + 1 wk old, and I followed the suggestion to mix one tablespoon of cereal with 4 tablespoons of formula, to get her started.  (And then thicken it up gradually).  Well, she loved the whole experience, and ate quite well.

My questions are...

1. Should/can I thicken up the mixture tomorrow since she did well with it, or should I take it slower - like for digestive reasons?

2. How do you track how much they ate?  I've read other people who have posted their routines, and feeding amounts that say something like "1 tablespoon rice cereal" or whatever.  Is that 1 tablespoon of the mixture you make up (meaning there is a lot left over), or 1 tablespoon of the cereal and whatever amount of liquid is mixed into it (meaning the whole mixture is consumed).

Sorry, dumb questions!

thanks, katemom

[Dree]

It might be just me but that seems like alot of formula to mix with 1 tbsp of cereal. I do not recall doing that with Sofia. I remember starting off with 1 tbsp of cereal and I added about 2 tbsp of bm or formula. I did not make it thicker until about 1 week later. The idea is to make it runny the first few feedings.

You need to thicken it up gradually. But do not rush yourself or your LO. 

Good Luck
Dree 

[Aly Mac]

Katemom - I read that it's 4 tablespoon liquid to 1cereal too.  (not sure where, reading so much on solids as am starting next week).

Not that I know by experience, but I would just try it thicker and see how she goes.  If it's too dificult for her, put some more liquid in.

[waffler]

I followed what annabel karmel suggested, to make the consistency like Runny Yoghurt. I didn't measure mine out at all. But definitely suggest start with runny smooth liquid like until your LO gets the hang of it.

[binxyboo]

Since she is still so young, if you really want to give solids, I would just do it the way you have been doing it. The milk is still the most important thing at this age. And if she seems to like it that way, I would let her continue to enjoy it like that.

When solids start to get more established, after the 6 month mark, most people still do their milk feeds as normal, add offer some solids maybe an hour or so after a bottle. It's not going to be huge amounts, so you don't have to track every tablespoon of food you offer (some will end up on the table, her face and you anyway!), just follow her cues as normal to see if she is satisfied on what she is geting. If milk intake starts to dramatically drop, that usually indicates that she is taking in too much solids, then you might look at it and see where you can change things a bit. There is some good info in the FAQ section of the boards.

I will post some links to another websites that offer good advice too:
http://askdrsears.com/html/3/T030100.asp

You might also be interested in googling "baby led weaning" for a different perspective about the weaning process.

[Aly Mac]

wholesomebabyfood.com also has info on baby led weaning. Plus some really good recipes.