first time eating solids... tips?

Hi all, I am going to give my 5 month olds some food in the next day or so! I'm hoping it will help them sleep a little better at night. Any tips on how to make it a great first meal?

Thanks!
Jennifer

 

Hi all, I am going to give my 5 month olds some food in the next day or so! I'm hoping it will help them sleep a little better at night. Any tips on how to make it a great first meal?

Thanks!
Jennifer

 

I can't wait to read the replies 'cause we are thinking about the same thing!!!!

 

Have everything ready before you start. I keep a wet washcoth and a dry washcloth handy to wipe up faces and/or spills. They may not eat very much so be prepared to feed them a bite and have it slide right back out. Learning to swallow is tricky. If they keep opening their mouths for you, that means they like it, if they clamp their jaws shut, then they don't. And have a camera ready to go if you want a picture.

 

My id g/g ate just a few bites the first time I tried at around 7 months. They opened up just a tiny bit and I put the spoon of food in there mouth and they swallowed. I started with just lunch for a few days and before you knew it, they each ate about a 1/2 jar and I was estatic not only did they eat it but I was excited because I was able to feed them. I had my doubts the first few days thinking how I am going to get them to do this. But just as everyone said it will come naturally and that it did. Before I knew it they were opening wide and watching my every move. The funniest thing early on was them falling alseep while I was feeding them. Just as I was succeeding, one of them would fall asleep. I cracked up so loud that Gracey woke up laughing with me and ate some more. Good luck!

 

Just what our dr told us.....making a mess is part of the learning process! It's ok if they get it all over their faces, they're learning the texture of it as well as the taste. If I expect it to be an especially messy meal, I'll put them in their highchairs in just diapers. It's a lot easier to rinse off a kid than fight with stains.

If they don't seem to like it, try watering it down with formula or EBM.

 

My DS makes a HUGE mess! He puts his fist in his mouth with every bite! It is so cute at first; however, now I'm constantly saying "no hands." Also, DS screams for a lot of the meal because he doesn't want to wait for DD to take a bite. He wants me to feed only him. Just be prepared for anything to happen and definitely take pictures!

FYI: We started with rice cereal, then tried oatmeal, next sweet potatoes and we're on to squash tonight. YUMMY!

 

I posted about this a few weeks ago when i started. I got the best advice...ONE spoon and ONE bowl for them to share!

 

It did come to that alot. And helps once they both know what's going on because sometimes the other doesn't want to wait so that makes it faster.

 

thanks everyone... did you just do once a day for a while? Lunchtime? Before nap? After? Thanks again...

Jenn