What were the first solids you gave your LO and when .....??

I used the booster chairs you clip on to your normal dining chairs - just lay a muslin underneath to protect the real upholstery! Regardless, don't ever attempt to feed your baby in a recline or even semi-recline position. Their gag reflex is very strong, but there's no need to add the challenge of gravity working against them!

I third the IKEA Antilop highchair. Easy to wash and cheap. You can pull it right up to the table too so baby is really involved with the family meal.

Just wanted to add that I second the Ikea Antilop chair! We bought it as a spare one, given we had the ergonomic wooden chair with cushion, but our son was sitting much better in the Ikea one, and indeed, it is easo to clean as well Extra bonus: it's cheap :-) Furthermore, you can easily pull the legs off, so we take this chair with us when we go camping our even when we visit friends etc

Solids poos are like silage. I had to leave the room once in the beginning and let DH deal with it! And baby lamb breath... ugh.

. Any tips on highchairs?? Any that you ladies recommend? ) without a shadow of a doubt, the IKEA Antilop. You can literally hose it down to clean it. yep formula poos are nasty compared to BF but just wait until you introduce meat ;) !

I think when babies are fussy eaters it has sometimes come from situations where they have felt they are not in control, or frightened in regards to food, have been coerced or tricked into eating something when they weren't ready etc. So I've always tried to keep food very much on his terms as far as portions, flavours etc and people have always been amazed at the enthusiasm he shows towards food. ! Best bit of weaning advice you'll ever have, right there. ^^ Eat with your baby. Mealtimes are social events, not purely nutrition-insertion. That's why I've never "got" why people say "oh yes, distracting them really helps getting the food in" and stuff like that. There's also a fair amount of trust (as Kiwispiers says) and also respect - let your child tell you when they've had enough or when they want more, if they don't like something (not a reason to never offer it again though!) or if they love something... Try not to let your own thoughts about certain foods express themselves - if you wrinkle your nose at something, and yet still try to feed it to your child, what message are they getting?! Lastly, never assume that a child won't like X, Y or Z - you never know until they've tried it. I've always encouraged that curiosity, which has seen my two have smoked salmon, capers, olives, curry, garlic (raw - I did say, but DS was having none of it!) and all kinds of weird and wonderful things.

not remotely offended SEY83, I was really just making sure I hadn't offended you. :) Food, milk and sleep posts are always a bit controversial and I bet by the time out kids are 10 we'll look back and find it hilarious that we even worried about the things we did. I agree, it sounds much more like teething than hunger, keep in mind that "teething" is a slow process for some babies, DS started teething at 4 months (red swollen gums saliva etc) but his first teeth didn't actually cut until he was more than 7 months and by 12 month he only had 4 through. So even if you don't see something cutting, your wee one might still appreciate a teething toy, a wet facecloth etc to chew on. I loved the idea of BLW, we ended up going the puree route to start because it was easier on DS's refluxy tummy but I think the key words are [b'>"baby led"[/b'> regardless. (I'm a big fan of attachment parenting and so am baby-led in my parenting in general). From the 4 month mark I started "preparing" Ds for food by eating all my meals in front of him, letting him watch and mime me biting and chewing, giving him pieces of fruit to hold and sniff and gum etc. When I did introduce solids I gave him his first tastes off my finger tip, letting him grab my hand and pull it to his mouth. Once we moveed to a spoon I held it where he could either guide my hand to him or lean forward and take from the spoon, he seemed to prefer that to feeding himself directly even with finger foods. The key point is that he is in control and the relationship with food is built on trust which is far more important than you'd think. Babies instinctively watch you to see if foods are safe so sharing a meal from the same bowl lets them know its ok to eat something. (It makes sense if you think about it in evolutionary terms avoiding poisonous foods etc). so you can start moving towards solids, without actually giving solids, if thats a concept that appeals to you. I think when babies are fussy eaters it has sometimes come from situations where they have felt they are not in control, or frightened in regards to food, have been coerced or tricked into eating something when they weren't ready etc. So I've always tried to keep food very much on his terms as far as portions, flavours etc and people have always been amazed at the enthusiasm he shows towards food. BTW EBF baby poos are like sweet lotus oil compared to the poo you have to deal with once they start solids, so enjoy that a little longer while you can! <em>edited by kiwispiers on 23/01/2012</em>

lol totally agree, I wouldn't expect most mums to read the amount I did on the topic, or call someone a bad mum for doing it differently. I'm just a bit nerdy like that and also with a family history of food allergies and DS having reflux I had a bit more to think about than most, just thought I'd pass it on in case the OP was interested. Most Pediatricians don't have a clue tbh, they just tell you whatever they were taught when they went to med school. Your Drs guidelines are fine, since the baby-rice is fortified its not harmful, its just that you don't [b'>have[/b'> to be that regimented about it, its just tradition rather than science. I was trying to write my point without offending you, so I'm sorry if I did. I was actually highly impressed at the amount you've read, but I wanted the OP to understand my point of view that was basically to go with her mother's instinct. If I was in your situation with a family history and reflux I would definitely be more cautious and take it slow. To be honest I haven't paid much attention to my doctor either and gone with my gut instinct...I probably was more regimented with my first child, but this is my second baby and I'm feeling the classic "I've done this before, I know what to do" symptoms :-P The most important thing I feel is to make sure that you're comfortable with your choices and take it slow. It's like you said right at the start of your first post "this one is a can of worms!"

The past few days she has been a bit grumpy and whiney and chewing on her hands ALOT and chewing on anything she can get her hands on and waking more often for feedings so that makes me think she might be hungry .... Hmmmm ..... Let's see!! Are you sure she's not teething? I know that 4 months is young, but my first daughter had her first tooth come through at 4 and a half months, and I apparently had my first tooth at two and a half months! Having said that my second baby is 7 months in 3 days and still no sign of teeth. Just a thought for you if she's grumpy and chewing, because they're usually the signs. Have a feel of her gums and try and see if they're red and swollen as that will mean a tooth is on the way. Most people don't think about teething until their baby is 6 months so I thought I would mention it.

We started DS (now 2) at 6 months (pretty much to the day) and started on good sized sticks of vegetables/fruits for the first few weeks, and then moved onto meats. Having said this, BLW is a little disheartening to start with in that they don't guzzle down huge amounts of food to start with, they just explore, suck, chew, spit out and throw .. it really is quite hilarious, and VERY messy. It isn't for every child, but it has worked so, so well for DS, he has such a healthy attitude towards food now. He has never, ever been fussy, don't get me wrong, of the 5-6 choices he has on his plate at each meal, he has 'just' started wanting to eat just 3 things that are on his plate at certain mealtimes, but he still wants the other things at other meals, so he isn't going 'off ' anything ... famous last words! If she is chewing things up all the time, she could just be starting to break some teeth in?

I started DD at 4 months and DS at 5.5 because that was when I felt they were both ready. I know the word is that milk should remain the main source of nutrition for infants up to 12 months, but I still have to smile when people talk about giving 1, 2 or 3 teaspoonful(s) of liquidy purée per meal - I started my two on solids because they were HUNGRY and 1 teaspoonful wasn't going to fill them up! DD had half an Ikea bowlful of thick babyrice for her first meal and I progressed her to purées within a week. By 6 months she was having chopped up normal meals, 3 times a day, with puddings and snacks. DS was a bit different, because on day 3 of weaning, I'd popped into the kitchen to get a banana and came back to find DD feeding him adult pasta with chill sauce, I broke out the ricecakes after that! Basically, constantly observe your child - this will dictate quantities, likes, thickness, etc... I never used a book to help because purées are just really quite simple. Use a bit of imagination. Make them in batches and freeze in ice-cube trays - that way you can vary the quantities for endless gloopy fun! The aim of the game is to get bubs eating your family's food so that you can share mealtimes together. If you eat apple and chicken goujons at home as a family, then fair enough (that's one of the AK recipes), but if you're more into curries, then get kiddo used to them instead! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 22/01/2012</em>

Natashak, I have found a lot of people talk about Annabel Karmel, she's a baby weaning 'guru' & has a large collection of books in borders. Everyone I have spoken to seems to have a copy of her book (new complete baby & toddler meal planner) so I purchased it the other day and it outlines suggested meal plans (when to do milk feeds & solids). There are also recipies & she shares lots of knowledge which seems to be quite general. (She does give her opinion but shes not forceful). I also agree with the other posters, to go with your gut. There seems to be so much information available it can be confusing! :) I haven't started yet but will soon! :)

Call me laidback, and I will admit that I probably am quite easy going, but I still think I'm a good mother - as is Kiwispiers I'm sure and she has obviously done a lot more research than me. Basically my point is that I don't think u should feel bad about doing what you feel is right for you and ur baby just because it isn't what the guidelines say, just be sensible about it. lol totally agree, I wouldn't expect most mums to read the amount I did on the topic, or call someone a bad mum for doing it differently. I'm just a bit nerdy like that and also with a family history of food allergies and DS having reflux I had a bit more to think about than most, just thought I'd pass it on in case the OP was interested. Most Pediatricians don't have a clue tbh, they just tell you whatever they were taught when they went to med school. Your Drs guidelines are fine, since the baby-rice is fortified its not harmful, its just that you don't [b'>have[/b'> to be that regimented about it, its just tradition rather than science.

My baby is 4 months and has reflux, the doctor told me to start giving solids to see if it may help. You are supposed to start giving a spoon, in the morning per day. Dont know when you are supposed to increase. You continue the normal BF, the spoon is also supposed to help the baby getting used to food. I havent started yet, but I think I may start soon with a spoon of smash banana in the mornings and see what happens. The things is that I dont think my baby is ready yet. Back home, babies start with solids very early, I was giving soups when I was a month old and I am very healthy and no allergies. my baby had reflux too. I found it got better (he stopped vomitting) at around the 4-5 month mark, esp when he started sitting up and crawling. When we did start solids (after 6 months) they made it worse again, esp certain foods. Giving solids in the morning at first is a god idea as then you have the whole day to watch out for any adverse reactions. edited to add, giving solids before 16 weeks has been fairly conclusively shown to increase the risk of allergies. That doesn't mean every baby that gets solids before 16 weeks will develop an allergy. My DH was also given solids from 1 month but its impossible to say if thats why he has the allergies he has, genetics play a big part too. <em>edited by kiwispiers on 22/01/2012</em>

Thanks ladies ... Ive read both of your information .... very helpful to know both sides ! Can I ask ..... so at the start I am supposed to continue bf'ing all the time as I am doing now and then just once a day I offer a very small amount ... say 1 teaspoon of mashed banana or pureed avocado etc? And the same for the next few days. Basically, the small amount of solid that I offer should not replace any BM at the start should it? It should just be an addition if they will take it? So at say 2pm I will fully BF her and then offer a tiny amount of some solid? And how/when do you start increasing he actual amount of solid per day? exactly right, Bascally in the first 12 months milk should be their primary source of food. So long as your baby has a tummy full of milk I think its pretty safe to let them guide you in how much solids they want on top of that since every baby will have different calorie requirements it will vary for every baby so use your mother instinct. if you are BF on demand then basically you let your baby tell you how much milk they need and when all the way along. If you are schedule feeding I have no idea how it works. i think the main thing is not force solids on your baby if they are not keen. if they are turning their head or pushing the food out they are saying "no thanks mummy, try again later' :) <em>edited by kiwispiers on 22/01/2012</em>

My baby is 4 months and has reflux, the doctor told me to start giving solids to see if it may help. You are supposed to start giving a spoon, in the morning per day. Dont know when you are supposed to increase. You continue the normal BF, the spoon is also supposed to help the baby getting used to food. I havent started yet, but I think I may start soon with a spoon of smash banana in the mornings and see what happens. The things is that I dont think my baby is ready yet. Back home, babies start with solids very early, I was giving soups when I was a month old and I am very healthy and no allergies.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned and naive or (even ignorant) and I have by no means read all of the research out there on this so please dont take thimyasthenia anything other than my own personal opinion. I just think that this, along with most things children/baby related, really do go back to mother's intuition and doing what feels right for you and your child. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to any of this - you can't even find two doctors that give the same advice! My paediatrician told me not to introduce meat straight away, whereas Kiwispiers is saying you should introduce it straight away. My personal outlook is look around at everyone, can you really tell who was breast fed, bottle-fed, who had solids at 4 months, 6 months, who took a dummy, who sat in a baby walker, who was potty trained at 2 or 4?? Call me laidback, and I will admit that I probably am quite easy going, but I still think I'm a good mother - as is Kiwispiers I'm sure and she has obviously done a lot more research than me. Basically my point is that I don't think u should feel bad about doing what you feel is right for you and ur baby just because it isn't what the guidelines say, just be sensible about it. edited by SEY83 on 22/01/2012 <em>edited by SEY83 on 22/01/2012</em>

haha this one is a can of worms......there are a multitude of threads on this topic on EW and the internet in general. I suggest you do your own research because popular opinion varies wildly! I started at 6.5 months because I wanted to wait until the 6 month mark as per WHO current guidelines and the Ministry of Health guidelines in my home country. Based on "signs of readiness" I could have started at 5 months or earlier (DS started crawling at 5 months) and he did BF more frequently from the 4 month point. I started with things like peach, avocado, ripe banana, fresh papaya and lamb in the first few weeks (I cooked and pureed the lamb and mashed the other stuff with a fork). The reason I started with these foods is they were; a) non-constipating/ not too starchy and b) high in nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin C etc. and c) easy to make at home :) You could otherwise start with baby-rice which has a multivitamin added although you might want to read this thread here as we've just been discussing meat vs babyrice and the order of solid foods. http://www.expatwoman.com/qatar/forum/addpost.aspx?TopicID=170578. Since baby-rice is just carbs plus multivitamins giving nothing but baby rice for a month is not much different to just BF more and giving a multivitamin supplement in my mind. In short the most recent guidelines suggest it actually doesn't matter what order you introduce the foods, but you do need to make sure they have the right nutrients so either meat or something with added vitamins should be there from the beginning. Also keep in mind that foods such as carrot, apple, green banana, potato, corn and rice all tend to constipate babies whereas apricot, peach, plum, and very yellow/brown spotty bananas tend to have the opposite effect. Introducing one new food every few days helps you figure out easily if a particular food is having a negative effect on your baby's digestive system, or an allergic reaction. As far as jars/packet of babyfood whether they say from 4 months, 4-6 months or 6 months has more to do with the country they are from and the views of the producer. Its not legal in most countries to say less than 4 months but the rules vary after that point. From a practical (and safety) point of view, its much easier to wait until your baby can sit upright and has the muscle control to lean forward and take food from a spoon or can put finger food into their own mouth and chew it. Its a bit dangerous to feed a baby in a semi-reclined position (leaning back in a car-seat or leaning back on pillows etc) as if they start to choke its harder to cough their airway clear vs if they can lean forward and let gravity help them. Introducing solids in conjunction with breastfeeding has been shown to lower the incidence of allergies. Breast-milk also aids in the digestion of starch. For that reason its a good idea to BF close to when you serve "solids". Because you don't really want your baby to cut back on the amount of BM they are having, its better to BF first and then offer solids, so they don't eat too much and take less milk.

I started my baby at about 5 months, and my doctor had actually told me to start early as the latest studies state that babies should start eating at 4 months rather than 6 months. It seems that the doctors advice changes every few months, so in all honesty I don't think it matters whether you choose to go for 4 months or 6 months or somewhere in between. I think the most important factor is when you feel that your LO is ready, and the constant hunger is a good sign! Also, they seem to take an interest when you're eating. I totally believe that's its one of those mother's intuition thing and every baby is different - don't feel guilty at all about giving food at 4 months, just take it slow. I started my LO on the Hipp Organic baby rice which she loves, and its got 4 months on the box (as oppose to others that start from 6 months). In case you want my docs advice is was something like this: - three weeks baby rice - after three weeks introduce veg - after another three weeks introduce fruit - after another three weeks introduce meats (chicken/red meat first and i think fish later cant actually remember so i have to double check!) Oh and dont forget that once they start any solids you have to start giving them water. I hope this helps!! My LO is nearly 7 months, and we're onto fruit...she's loving it and so am I! <em>edited by SEY83 on 22/01/2012</em>