Hi! My 7 month old is really not too thrilled about eating "solids" He is exclusively breastfed. I have tried green beans and carrots. I have tried each for several days before switching and even skipping some days incase he is not ready. He seems interested in eating, every time we eat round him he is watching and "chewing" We gave him teeny tiny pieces of Ritz cracker and he eally seemed to enjoy eating that.
I am wondering if there are any ideas out there of teeny tiny soft finger foods I could give him. I cooked up carots but had heard that baby's should only get a small amount of carrots. I would also like to make my own food. Cooking veggies until soft, pureeing veggies etc... I have been pureeing my own baby food, but I am just not sure if he likes the texture, and again he seems more interested in "chewing food" and not to blame him he probably doesn't like the veggies, ALthough I know it is important to start with veggies before moving onto fruits.
I welcome all suggestions! Thank you!!
He's really kind of young to be starting of solids in my opinion. He is getting his full nutrition from breast feeding so he doesn't need the food. It is really to teach him to chew and swallow so that when he is weened he will be able to eat full meals then.
I would just keep taking it slow and always nurse first. He won't be hungry but he will eat some of the foods and get the hang of it.
I hate to be the "odd man out", but your baby isn't too young to start solids. Most start around 6 months, and not because they need the nutrition (they are still getting all of their nutrients from breast milk), but because they are learning how to eat other things.
Have you tried fruit? Applesauce (with nothing but mashed apples)? Bannanas? You could also try avacado. And of course, start with something like oatmeal cereal. You'll use your breastmilk in the cereal, so it will have a similar taste and texture.
Keep at it. And maybe only offer solids once a day -- after he's nursed and at a time when he's not hungry.
Hope that helps!
Seven months is pretty young to be starting solids. Each child is different, of course, but be aware that at his age he still does not need solids for nutrition; your milk provides complete nutrition right now and for some time to come. Also, he is young enough that he will have a pretty strong gag reflex, so expect him to cough and gag more than if you waited a few more months. Ask your pediatrician for advice about when to start solids and if it's too soon for him (which might be the case -- you say he's "not thrilled" and that is his cue to you that he just doesnt' need them yet), etc. Go with his cues -- in this case, his lack of interest is telling you he isn't really ready though you may be ready yourself for him to start. He definitely should not be given any real "chewing foods" yet as you describe them because of the risk of choking.
Maybe you should try different vegies, like sweet potatoes and peas. They tend to be more palatable than carrots and greenbeans. It is so easy to make your own.
Also, introducing fruits isn't a problem either. I introduced fruits first to my daughter, but she much preferred vegies. My daughters pediatrician told me at this young age, it isn't about nutrition yet. It is about learning to eat and you can't spoil a child into only wanting fruit this young. So try a variety of things until you find something he likes.
Ritz are yummy, but probably not a great choice yet. Try baby mum mums or another "baby" type cracker. But be careful with them as they are still a choking hazard for young infants.
If you think he prefers to "chew" then maybe try a small diced on steamed vegies. Might offer him more texture. But I bet if you try different foods, he might be interested.
Well, of course he loved Ritz...they're full of butter and salt. ;)
A better alternative-Baby Mum Mums. You can find them at Target or Wal-Mart, they are yummy little crackers that dissolve easily.
The only baby food my kids have ever had any interest in...homemade sweet potato's w/ a pinch of cinnamon.
Relax and do what works for you. I gotta admit my kids never were even offered things like green beans-because I think they're disgusting. ;)
All he needs right now is your milk. Food is just for fun!
HTH!
I agree with Babysmama. Right now solids aren't for nutrition and won't be until he's a year, they're to help him learn to eat. You may have to give him foods many, many times before he takes to them, 15 to 20 at the least. Don't offer him a smorgasborg of foods, stick to no more than 2 a day (cereal and a veggie, try sweet potatoes) until he gets the hang of it, and give them to him at least a week before adding new ones. If you make your own food for him you can control the consistency and make it thicker and chunkier for him to chew.
It's going to take time but hang in there!
I am surprised you are starting solids at his age . . . I don't think I started solids until my kids had teeth. Go with pureed foods, rice cereal, etc. If you like making your own baby food you have so many options. Certainly people will tell you to start with veggies but incorporate fruits as well. If he his still breastfeeding of course he is getting what he needs. Mashed potatoes work well, mashed sweet potatoes, stuff like that. I bought a great book (sorry can't remember the name) that had great suggestions that were natural homemade baby food options but also gave you suggestions to make them tasty and healthy. Good luck.
I agree with Gamma, he really is getting his nourishment from your milk.
When it is time to start introducing food, I would suggest rice cereal and a very small amount. You can mix it with your milk and feed him with a baby spoon. Then a few days later if he is not having problems with it, you can add some pureed fruit to it.
Wait two months and when he wants food he will let you know. Breastfed babies do not require food until they are a year old. As a general rule a baby should not get any food items until they have teeth. The teeth are the sign that the digestive system is ready.
Meantime if he wants to chew get Zwieback or something he can hold in his hand and gum. Ritz crackers have lots of fat in them so you really want something purer for his developing digestion.
My parents gave us Zweiback and I gave it to my children.
I took this out of Wikipedia to explain Zweiback's ingredients and popularity to you.
Zwieback is a type of crisp, sweetened bread, made with eggs and baked twice.
It is sliced before it is baked a second time, which produces crisp, brittle slices that closely resemble melba toast.[1] Zwieback is commonly used to feed teething children[1], and as the first solid food for patients with an upset stomach.
The name comes from German zwei ("two") or zwie ("twi-"), and backen, meaning "to bake".[2] Zwieback hence literally translates to "twice-baked".
Zwieback originated in East Prussia, Germany. The Mennonites brought Zwieback to Russia (now Ukraine); during and after the Russian Revolution, they brought Zwieback to Canada, and other parts of the world.
