Starting solids!

We've started adding solid foods to Aisling's "toy" selection! We're loosly following the "Baby Led Weaning" approach to feeding, which means that instead of feeding purees with a spoon, we're mostly giving her foods that she can hold, manipulate, and learn to eat herself.

Books were her first solid food...

By "weaning" I don't mean stopping breastfeeding. The nutritional and immunological benefits of breastfeeding continue throughout the first several years, and I'm able to keep it up relatively easily. At six months babies are becoming VERY interested in everything adults do and hold, and they begin reaching and putting everything into their mouths. This, combined with the ability to sit upright unsupported, is the signal that a baby is ready for solid foods. Around 12 months of age an increasing proportion of a baby's calories and nutrition should come from solid foods, especially as babies become toddlers, but the nutrition in breast milk is extremely beneficial!

We love our folding Combi high chair!

We planned to start solids in January, so we got a great high chair for Aisling's Christmas. We chose the Combi High Chair, which has several heights and folds up neatly for storage. The seat is completely washable and we really like how it looks (not covered in cartoons), works, and folds away. The multiple positions are also handy.

who needs a spoon?!

First foods

Our first foods were pretty simple: Banana, Avocado, sheep milk yogurt, and a smooshed blend thereof. Even though we decided not to puree, there's still a gag reflex to deal with which keeps babies from choking, so I would smash up a blend and let her have at it. I used my finger to scoop some up and she'd guide it to her mouth, herself. The funniest time was when she refused to let me help her but wanted to eat it off the edge of the plate! Before long she was starting to tolerate textures pretty well.

At a friend's BBQ one afternoon a couple of weeks ago I gave her a piece of orange peel to suck on and she LOVED it. I gave her some peel with orange still attached... even better! Soon oranges became her favorite food and hobby.

It's been about three weeks so far and we're going strong. Since there's no history of food allergies in our immediate families, we're being pretty relaxed about what we offer her. Fats and proteins are most important, as well as foods naturally rich in iron. We generally avoid processed foods like crackers and cereal. I plan to make some granola for "cheerio replacement." I'll also start offering her beans, smooshed berries, various veggies, and other "finger foods."

Just about anything we're eating is fair game, aside from foods drenched in Sriracha or cayenne pepper (pretty common in our house). Daddy or I usually have to help her get it to her mouth, but she's getting better. She sucks on vegetables, gums meat, slurps up finger-fulls of our green smoothies, and generally tries just about everything. She doesn't swallow much at all, which is fine since most of her nutrition still comes from nursing. Nursing is also still incredibly convenient since I have a meal ready for her everywhere we go. It's so nice not to feel the need to pressure her to eat, or get anxious that she's not getting enough nutrition, since she's still nursing. 

All-in-all, food is fun!

How did solids go for you and your baby/ies?

sssllllluurp!

This Brussels sprout looks interesting...

...and delicious!