Starting solids...

So here is my problem. My lo's just turned 6 months a week ago. We started them on rice cereal about 2 weeks before that as they were showing signs - grabbing for our food, mimicking chewing, etc. Unfortunately, they are not figuring out this whole solid food thing.

I have tried giving them the cereal at all times - first thing in the am, mid morning, noon, mid afternoon and supper time. THEY JUST CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. At first I was trying in the AM but they are not big eaters in the morning but soon I have realized this is not the reason.

Should I be worried? I just don't know what else to do. I feel like I have tried everything - I know they like it because they laugh when it goes in their mouths and get all smiley but they just can't figure out how to swallow it - I've tried blowing on their faces (apparently this causes the swallow reflex???) and that just makes them laugh more! I guess it's better then screaming but still.

How long did it take for your lo's to figure out this solid food business?

Thanks for listening (reading??) my rant

 

I totallllly wouldn't worry about it. It's not a "rule" that babies MUST eat solids starting at 6 months old. In fact, babies with allergies-they recommend they wait muuuch longer before starting solids. So don't worry. Wait another 2 weeks or so, and try again!

ETA: Solids should only be in ADDITION to their main meal (formula, or BM) and not a replacement, so hopefully that makes you feel better!!!! (That they don't HAVE to have it to be healthy, etc!)

 

I agree- wait. Solids are exciting but a PITA!!!!!!!!!!! They will get it. Orion was the king of gagging when he started and he did eventually grow out of it.

 

Don't stress over it. It will come with time.
I know that can be harder said then done though. Hang in there!

 

Definitely don't worry too much! It will come in time, and it's just for practice at that age anyway. I'm wondering, though, if you've tried something other than cereal? I think the runny cereal is very bland and hard to swallow without just letting it to run out. My boys did much better with the stage 1 purees, so it might not hurt to give one of those a try.

 

I wouldn't worry but if you want to keep trying... What I did was put a bit of food in their mouth and then immediately, the pacifier. The pacifier triggered a sucking reflex and soon after I was able to put the spoon to their mouth and they would suck the food off. This works with a bottle too so long as they don't go full throttle on it. Soon they learned to open wide and clear the spoon off without sucking. Good luck!

 

How "wet" or how thick was your rice cereal? When it's not wet enough or too thick for ours, they didnot take it.
Have you tried 1st stage baby food yet? they were able to swallow that easily too. Also I ate my dinner in front of them, and they some how started to swallow (saliva) when they saw me ate. BTW, i mixed 1st stage baby food with rice cereal too to give variety and to control BM.

 

None of mine "got it" until they were at least 7 months old. Wait a few days and try again.

Also, none of my kids liked cereal. My girls really hated it and ate it for a few days and that was it. I always started with veggies (sweet potato, squash, carrots, etc) so maybe try one of those.

 

As previous person said it is only in addition to their main source of nutrition...Breastmilk or formula. There isn't a hard fast rule you have to feed them solids at a certain age or so many times a day. Sometimes too much emphasis is put on solid feedings when it isn't even necessary. Some babies may not be interested in solids right away so why force it? They aren't going to be on breastmilk/formula forever. My twins are almost 7 months and I haven't really started solids. I may feed them a mashed veggie during a dinner but it isn't more than a couple bites and I don't go out of my way to sit them down for actual meal time so they can "eat." When our family is around the dinner table they sit in their high chairs and play with toys. They really show no interest with the food, so I don't push it and will just wait until they are honestly ready. It is less frustrating for all of us.

 

We tried solids (rice cereal) at 6 months on the dot and they both did the tongue-thrust thing. We waited 2-3 weeks and tried again, and it went much better. But it was still another month or two before they ate any significant amount. There's no hurry.

When you do try again, make it easy on yourself and just do it once a day. :ibiggrin:

 

I was lazy! and very busy with work at 6 mo. so we waited until Christmas that year... they were just shy of 8 months! and VERY ready. don't stress like the others have said, it's not for nutrition at this point... and eventually they will get it.

we started with avocado & bananas. and I loved the wholesomebabyfood website for info. good luck! once you start, it will be fun!

 

Like all the pp, I wouldn't stress over it. I would make sure it's really soupy. I made it in the beginning that it was mostly like water. Super thin. They will get it in time. And I agree-stick to one time/day. We would do it about 30-45 minutes AFTER their bottle. So they weren't overly starving when we would give them cereal. Good luck when you try again!

 

I didn't have a chance to read all replies but I was going to say to not be so hard on yourself, it is just practice for them (and you!) and also, if you want to give up right now, just give up. There is no rule that they have to have solids now, or, forget the cereal and go towards avocado, or pear, or other things. There are no rules...just things for practice. Even if you quit for 2-4 weeks and felt like trying again...more power to you. Seriously. Hang in there momma you are doing a great job!