Solids - Not Off To A Great Start

[Leez]

We gave DD her first taste of solids today (mashed banana - thought we'd celebrate this momentus occasion with a luxury item :laughing: ). I put a little in her mouth, she looked quite thoughtful about the whole thing, then she took a bit more, then she choked a bit and coughed it all up plus some of her milk. Tried again just then before her bedtime bottle, and pretty much as soon as it touched her mouth, she started to cry but then had her bottle quite happily. When I was putting her in her jammies it came up in her throat and she had a spew again.

She's 6 months exactly on 12 November, and everyone was telling me that I was being anal waiting until then, so I thought I'd give it a try, despite being a bit wary because she can't yet handle a 3 holed teat, she coughs/splutters/chokes quite easily. On the other hand, she's been fascinated watching us eat for a few weeks which they say is a good sign that they're ready for solids.

Do you think we started with the wrong food? Or is this a common reaction to first solids? Or maybe is DD just not ready for it yet, even though she's just shy of 6 months? Has anyone actually waited longer than six months because of this?

Sorry for all the questions!

[the_queen]

There's no issue waiting a bit longer. When babies can self-feed soft chunks, they're ready for food. Being fascinated by others eating is one sign of readiness - the other signs (and all the signs should be there before starting solids) are pincer grip, sitting up alone (not supported), and something else but baby crying must go :) I'll be back with links

[the_queen]

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

:)

[misskittyfantastico]

I started DD the day she turned 6 months and she wasn't that interested! I just tried once a day and if she got upset I'd stop. She was probabaly 9 months before she got the hang of it and now at 13 months she eats anything and everything.:)

[~MinkeyMoo~]

Nothing wrong with waiting. I would however try her on something with a less claggy texture. Maybe really runny veg puree if you dont want to start with the traditional rice cerial. DD2 has been on solids for about 5 weeks now and still doesnt really like mashed banana yet she will eat mashed veg mixed with cous cous, grated cheese and toast fingers.

[Jinglebells]

i agree with the others, nothing wrong with waiting a bit longer, as long as she's still contented with the bottle or BM, if you are going to try again, maybe start with some really runny farex, the banana may have been a bit tangy for her first food and would probably have been a bit thick and not so smooth if you just mashed the banana, just try a litte bit at a time, and dont force it, she'll eat solids when she's ready and not before

[Natsmummy]

Maybe she's just not too keen on banana. For her first food I would suggest you give her some rice cereal or perhaps some pureed pear (nice and runny and quite sweet). My DS eats pretty much anything but when I have tried giving him banana (he has been on solids since 5 months and I've only tried this recently) he has vomited it back up too. The texture might be too much for a child with a sensetive gag reflex.

[Natsmummy]

By the way, I only just noticed that you live right near me!

[Leez]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone - I feel a lot better now and am definately going to go with my instincts (duh! should have done that in the first place!) - I'm going to leave it for a while, she is doing absolutely fine as she is and with your feedback (thanks Queen for the link) - she's nowhere near ready! She hasn't got a pincer grip at all, and she can't sit up by herself - not even close by the looks. I thought they had to be sitting up unaided but then my mum said no, you just feed them in their bouncer. (She's usually quite good with the tips!)

The banana was mashed to the point of custard consistency, but yes it was probably not a good choice, too woody. Never mind, you live and learn.

Natsummy - hey neighbour! Can you hear the fireworks going off in Parramatta at the moment???!!!

[lachies_mum]

I paid $2.70 for one banana and my 6 month old HATED it!

I started him off on pureed veggies and he loves them... especially sweet potato- YUM!

[AimeeB]

:) I just started my 3 on rice cereal quite runny-2 teaspoons mixed with breast milk or boiled water and only once in the day for a month or two.I don't blame her,bananas make me gag too:laughing: None of my kids like them either(which is good cos they're too expensive ATM anyway!)

[sueliz]

Being fascinated by others eating is one sign of readiness - the other signs (and all the signs should be there before starting solids) are pincer grip,

Hey Queen

This is probably a really stupid question - but what is pincer grip? Is it as obvious as it sounds???

[EskimoMumma]

I spent 3 dollars on a banana for DD and she didnt like it either, although she loved mashing it in her hands and putting it in her hair..If it makes you feel better my DD is nearly 1 year old and still uses number 2 teats on her bottles :o

[the_queen]

Hey Queen

This is probably a really stupid question - but what is pincer grip? Is it as obvious as it sounds???

Not stupid :)

A baby will first use "palmur" grip (i think i've spelt that wrong...) where they pick something up by dragging it with all their fingers to put it into the palm of their hand. But then they progress to "pincer" grip, where they use thumb and forefinger to pick something up. :thumbsup: