I have been really excited to start Sawyer on solids for a while. I wanted to wait until I got home from Virginia, so I wouldn't have too many new things while traveling, but I know he's ready. He's been diving into our food for months now, and at six and a half months, I feel assured it's time.
What's interesting is that in all the books I have and most of the sites I visited, there is information on how to do the first feeding and what to give, but not how to integrate this with breastfeeding--do you nurse before or after? Do you have to nurse as much? I had to search a lot to find anyplace that talked about it, which was disappointing to me. What I read was that you'll probably nurse as much, at least at first, and that it's a good idea to nurse first, since baby is getting the best nutrition still from milk. A few places said not to try and make the first feeding a meal, but to pick a time of day where baby was happy, or maybe bored and ready for something new.
So in the afternoon when Robbie came home, we got Sawyer all set up in the high chair with bib, and I got food ready. I wanted to start with avocado, which I've read great things about. I mashed it into almost liquid, per instructions I read, and Robbie put a tiny bit on his finger for Sawyer to suck.
I took a video, but I will never post it here, because the first thing that happened was that Sawyer started gagging and choking, which was terrifying to me, and then he spit up EVERYWHERE. We picked him up, rinsed him off and rinsed off the tray, then tried another tiny bit. While he's super excited about our food when we're eating, he was NOT excited about eating. He maybe ate a miniscule amount, but did not seem to enjoy it, and was not particularly adept at knowing what to do with something that's not milk.
I know that first feedings often go something like this, but I was really disappointed. I thought he would love it, since he's been wanting to eat our food forever. I never expected it to be difficult, or for him to choke. Today we'll keep on with the avocado, since it's good to keep the same food for four or so days to monitor allergic reactions, but I think I'll puree it with breastmilk and see how that goes. More updates, and hopefully pictures, to come.
Ella HATED avocado compared to everything else she's tried. He'll probably like it after a few more tries. (I think that after she wouldn't eat it we mixed it with brown rice cereal - I think that muted the taste and now she's a fan. YOu could try that way down the road if he doesn't take to it this time around).
ReplyDeletepoor thing!! try a cheeseburger!!! ha ha
ReplyDeleteAaww! We tried Makayla on applesauce and she LOVED it... there is just something about applesauce that most every kid loves! It took a little while for Makayla to get the hang of it as well, but once she figured it all out... man alive! She wanted to eat ALL the time! Haha! It's a new experience, so it just takes time! Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteKirsten, it was great to see you the last couple weekends. We tried bannana first with our girls and they loved it. It's closer to the taste of breastmilk and really easy to make smooth and liquidy. Hang in there, he'll figure it out soon enough.
ReplyDeleteAvocado has a fairly strong, distinct flavor, so you may consider trying something more mild next. With our little one, we tried butternut squash with huge success as well as oatmeal with breast milk. For us, avocado ended up being a good mixed food, as in bananas mixed with avocado or peas mixed with avocado.
ReplyDeleteThis site was helpful to me in our solid foods adventure: www.wholesomebabyfood.com.
I would suggest rice cereal mixed up with your breast milk. Here's why: it's easiest on his stomach, and he's already used to the taste of your breastmilk. By recognizing that flavor, he'll be more eager to keep trying. Plus, it's packed with vitamins and iron. Oatmeal is a good option too if the rice cereal makes him constipated. Also, our pediatrician recommended feeding Liam solids right after his bottle (or breast, in your case). By doing that first you've taken the edge off his hunger. He'll still be hungry, he'll just be a little more placated. He's gotten something familiar, and is now ready to try something new!
ReplyDeletePatience is key, and something that will keep being tested months down the road...especially when he learns to knock the spoon out of your hand. blerg...