My son is nearly 9 months old. We started him on pureeed foods about 6 months old. Recently, I was speaking with my friend and she was surprised that I havent introduced him to solids (cut up cheerios, fruits, etc). I thought it was too early to introduce him to those types of foods but now that I'm doing research now should be the time. I gave him a really small piece of cheerios and he really didnt take that too well. He's not teething so he didnt know how to process it (gumming). Is it too early to introduce him to these types of foods? Should I hold off till he starts teething?
About a few days ago, his first tooth started to break in! We're very excited. I introduced him to the Gerber puff cereal and he LOVES them. So we're taking baby steps but we're definitly seeing progress. He now LOVES Cheerios as well. Thanks all for the wonderful advice!
I think you should definitely start. Try those gerber fruit puffs. My son loved them and they dissolve in their mouth.
Soft fruits, like bananas and peaches.
I have been told by doctors that many cultures wait until the child is one year. I would follow the cues from your child. When he's interested he'll definately let you know. I would still check with his pediatrician took make sure his weight is good and he's on track.
First off, talk to your pediatrician about it, what do they recommend? then go from there. Another person who responded said a smart thing...take cues from your baby. Some babies are ready at 6 or 7 months to start table food, some arent ready until after a year. Some babies arent ready at 9 months because they might not have enough teeth, they dont know how to gum up foods and might have a strong gag reflex, or overall they just arent psychologically ready, which is fine! biggest thing is, dont push it. let it happen naturally. Both my son and daughter started table food before or around 9 months. My son, who will be 1 on Valentine's Day, eats table food, but I also still give him baby cereal for breakfast. You might want to start with something softer than a cheerio. tofu, soft fruits like banana or peach, maybe small piece of bread or bagel. my son's favorite is cheese, but if you havent introduced any dairy yet then maybe hold of another month or so for that. cheerios are a baby favorite, maybe he just didnt like the texture, so try other foods. You dont need to buy something like biter biscuits or gerber puffs that cost extra, just use what you already have. My son has been eating table food since around 7 or 8 months and now he pretty much eats what we eat for meals, just smaller portions, cut up small so he doesnt choke. Just take it slow and dont be afraid to try different stuff. and if he doesnt take to any table food, thats fine. all babies do things in their own time. good luck!
There is no "right" time. Each child is different. His pediatrician will give you a general idea of when to start. He will also take his weight and height to be sure he is growing enough. Well baby check ups are important.
I also recommend giving him a whole cheerio. I would think that I small piece of scratchy stuff in my mouth wouldn't feel so good and it would be difficult to tell what to do with it. A cheerio will melt and he could swallow it or spit it out. He will need time to get used to the feel and taste of food. Therefore you just keep trying. Giving him something once does not tell you anything. He most likely won't know what to do with it. I agree that biter biscuits are a good start. They are large enough that he can suck on them.
My grandson's pediatrician recommended starting him an vegetables because fruits are sweet and once they get used to the sweetness they may not accept the vegetables. But if he's already eating strained vegetables and fruits that isn't as important a consideration.
Your baby will eat solids once he's ready to do so. Give them to him more than once and see what happens. And relax! There is not "right" time.
M.
I started my son with vanilla wafers as they dissolve & don't cost a fortune like the name brand baby crackers do. He loves them to this day & shortly after introducing the wafers, he started taking to other crackers.
If he doesn't have any teeth yet, try some little pieces of soft fruit(just avoid berries as they are one of those allergy foods like nuts). I get him fruit cocktail (the kind in only fruit juices & no sugar added) and I would just give him a few pieces of peaches and pears & let him gum them. He loved it!
If he has some teeth then go ahead. Even if they are not all the way though the gum line. It will help with the teething too.
L. C
Personal Nutritionist
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Hi C., im the mother of 3 and they recently came out with Fruit and Veggie puffs. They dissolve almost instantly when you put them in your mouth ( i tried) and they are similar to cheerios but come in different flavors, and found in the baby aisle. Other than that dont worry too much it is what works best for you and your family.
I think it's time also try those gerber cookies shaped like a peanut in the shell my kids certainly did... All my kids started solids early because formula and pureed baby food didn't seem to fill them up...
He doesn't need teeth for softer solids. Cheerios dissolve quickly so they are great for babies with no or few teeth - keep offering them, he'll get the hang of it. You can offer him lots of solids as long as they are soft (not chewy). There are a lot of websites/books that have lists of foods appropriate for your child's age. And yes, you probably could have given some solids earlier, but don't fret about it, just start offering them now.
C.-
I'm a mother of two and both my kids started solids around 6-9 months. Boil some white rice and see if he would prefer that to a hard cherrio?? Something soft and easy to dissolve may be what he'd like. I can tell you how I've made homemade baby food if you'd like??
Hi C...my son was eating "solids' by nine months. But he was teething. The first thing we stared hm on was bier bisquits. The cheerios may be to hard on his gums. Those biter biquits start to...melt down when they gum them. They are relativly soft on baby's gums and they do not breal off. Whatever solids you give him though watch him like a hawk. Gerber has a lot of good finger foods that melt in the mouth. You may wat to try those. Good luck!
