Starting 6 Month Old on Solids

I just read (and tried to find the link) that babies do not have the enzymes to process cereals until they are older, so cereal is actually a bad idea to start with. Basically, the walls of their stomachs are not closed, so the cereal can pass right into their system. It's better to start with things like sweet potatoes, avocados and bananas. If I find that article, I will edit my response and add it. Good for you for waiting until 6 months. I've been trying to introduce with my 7 month old, but he's not liking food yet. I'm hoping when his teeth come in that he will be more interested.

Good luck,
T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com

Six months is really early for solids! Your baby doesn't need more for the first year; the push to do solid foods is really a gimmick from baby food companies and something only in the modern west.

That said, when it's time, start with a whole fruit or vegetable. Bananas are a great first food - full of nutrition and the taste is similar to breast milk.

Always nurse first!

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm#nogo
Great information on when and what to feed your baby. ALWAYS (for at least the first year or until you wean) offer the breast first and then food.
Also agree with the previous poster that suggested Dr. Sears. If I could I would kiss that man! His 'Baby Book' was my second bible raising my daughter as a young mother.

Babies have an immature and open gut system until about months 8-10... not to mention their gag and swallow reflex isn't complete either.

Solids should be started towards the end of the first year, not barely into the first half of the first year.

Once you do start solids - hopefully waiting - start with oatmeal and skip rice altogether... it's extremely binding and causes lots of abdominal pain and constipation.

I agree with previous posters. Formula and/or breastmilk are total nutrition. Babies really don't need anything else.

Now that said, I know we just have to start feeding food to our little ones. I think that the primary function of feeding food is to get them used to chewing and swallowing. So, the later you start them on food the better. At age 6 months it is a good time to start them on cereal. One of the brands of cereal, I can't remember if it is Gerber or Del Monte, has a feeding schedule on the back of the box or side and it is very thorough.

Milk first then food. Or use the food as a very small snack that is between feedings. By the time they are 10-11 months they can really start eating more little meals that gets them prepared for the transition to regular milk and table food.

I started with cereal about 1 hour after morning feeding and 2 hours before night feeding. My pediatrician also said when starting on fruits and vegetables, to do the vegetables first and start with the greens. It's harder to get kids to eat the peas and green beans if they have sweet stuff like fruit. I did it and it worked great. My daughter is 21 months old and loves all her veggies.

Always nurse first and offer solids in between. Breastmilk is primary for the entire first year. Just start with once per day.
Here's a great site:

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/early-solid-food-feeding...

As others have mention there is no need to even start with the cereal. It has no real nutritional value and can be very binding. Also as another poster has mention a lot of what we have been taught about feeding our child is based on baby food companies that are just looking to make a profit for themselves. My point being that especially since you have chosen to wait till months to start solids (good for you mama!!) there is no reason to ever give "baby" food. Just start with really people food mashed with a fork and if need be mixed with a little breastmilk. I started with applesauce and bananas and then moved on to avacados. With in a month my son was sitting in his high chair with soft finger foods and not at 1 will eat just about anything you put in from of him. I started with fruits because they were easier then veggies but as soon as he was into finger food the steamed/roasted veggies came in. Contrary to what a lot of people think there is no real benefit to starting veggies or fruits first as long as you are feeding real food and not he baby food purees because real veggies are SWEET! My son's absolute favorite thing in the world are fresh slightly steamed peas. Like the ones you get on a salad buffet. He eats them like candy when he gets them. When it comes to seasoning also don't feel like you have to stick to bland unseasoned food. If you ate your food seasoned while breastfeeding then your child is already used to spices! The awesome thing about breastfeeding is that your child is already being introduced to the flavors of food because the taste of your milk changes with what you eat. Just start out slow and add or removed depending on your child's taste. Once you're past the beginning fruits and have moved on to roasting veggies feel free to add a little salt or a little garlic. Really just what ever you would normally eat on your food. Just season to taste as you would your own food.

Also, follow your child's lead when it comes to solids. If he doesn't seem ready and is showing no interest in the food don't force it. You can offer but don't stress out if he isn't eating "meals". He only needs breast milk for the first year and anything else is just for fun and practice. So, make sure you and he are enjoying for feeding time and if you're not then just stop and try again when your son seems to be showing more interest.

Good luck and have fun!!

www.askdrsears.com -great advice for baby related things. nurse first, then solids, (cereal, then veg, then fruit) also offer it when hes most alert and happy, usually second morning feed.

I offered mine cereal about an hour after the morning bottle/nursing. Before we started the other solids I would do cereal twice a day, once in the morning and once after dinner.

Offer him a little bit of rice cereal just before you nurse him so that he eats a little of it to try. Then nurse him to top him off.
Thats how I started, just a little in the morning then when he got the hang of it, I increased it, and added fruits to it.
I did a tablespoon at a time, then just uped the ammount as he got bigger.