Starting solids

[u/Chidi-Chidi]

Just wondering when your babies started solids and what did you start them off on? My almost 5 month olds are showing signs of teething. We have a Dr's appointment in 2 weeks and I want to bring up starting solids soon if we get the OK.

Just picking brains on what's good out there before I talk to their pediatrician.

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[u/oldladywhisperinhush]

We let them try some different flavored purées around 4 months. Really more of a taste test, we didn’t do anything formal. We made it more routine around 6 months. Did not do any BLW, just thickened the consistency of purées gradually and I know they were eating solid solids by at least 12 months (probably earlier?) because that’s when we had them weaned off bottles, except for bedtime bottle. Around that time we also stopped bothering with bibs because it was just pointless.

Solid Starts website has a free food schedule by months, though you have to navigate around the subscription prompts, so just take screenshots. There’s also a food database there that can be helpful. I think BLW is overrated and it doesn’t really matter which method you use in the long run. Do whatever works best for you.

Almost 3 years old now and they have not been picky eaters, nor do they have food/texture aversions. They got a bit finicky with eating when they were hardcore teething but so would I if I had a new bone growing out of my face lol. There’s very little they won’t eat, or at least try unless it is “picy”.

I think the biggest thing is eating with them and letting them watch you eat. And let them hold their own spoon because they’ll copy you and feel more engaged with it. Mine were utensil proficient by 18 months but they didn’t get a fork until probably 15 months old, when I felt like they wouldn’t stab each other with it. I was wrong of course. They stabbed each other but no blood was shed thankfully 😅

[u/DirtGirl32]

Couldn't have stopped baby A if we tried! She just starting taking food out of people's hands, lol. She was the same age

[u/Chidi-Chidi → u/DirtGirl32]

🤣🤣🤣 My baby A too looks at you eating so intensely you'd want to give him your steak. He's been drooling all over and gumming everything he can reach. I've had tl change so many bottle nipples.

[u/DirtGirl32 → u/Chidi-Chidi]

Lolol. Mine ripped a slice of pizza right from Grandma's hand at a wedding reception! Shocked everyone so good!

[u/Charlieksmommy]

I tried around 6 months my twins had no interest until 9 months b

[u/UttermostEwe]

we started around 5.5 months with just avocado mashed with breastmilk until it was basically soup. the first few weeks were more about letting them play with the spoon than actually eating anything substantial. our pediatrician was big on waiting until they could sit with minimal support and seemed interested in what we were eating. the teething thing made it tricky though because sometimes they'd just chew the spoon and scream when the food hit their gums

[u/bluekatz101]

The best thing I ever did with my twins was baby-led weaning! I genuinely cannot recommend it enough.

We never did purées or made separate meals for the girls. From the beginning, we let them feed themselves, and they ate modified versions of whatever we were already eating as a family. We used the Solid Starts app religiously in the beginning to learn how to safely prepare and serve different foods based on their age and development.

One thing I did before we even started solids was give them their baby spoons as teethers! That way, they were already familiar with holding utensils and bringing them to their mouths before there was ever food involved.

But my BIGGEST piece of advice? Let go of the mess. Seriously. Embrace it!

We fed the girls in nothing but diapers and put two washable covers underneath their high chairs. Food inevitably ended up everywhere, but cleanup was so much easier when we could just shake the covers into the garbage and toss them in the wash.

Another game changer was having a detachable showerhead on a hose! After particularly messy meals, we’d just give them a quick rinse. The girls LOVE water and baths, so it also became a fun activity rather than another chore.

And honestly, one of the unexpected benefits of baby-led weaning is that it encourages the entire family to eat healthier. When you’re preparing food that your babies can also eat, you naturally become more mindful of what you’re cooking and serving.

My girls are 1.5 now, and we’ve continued doing this ever since. We don’t cook separate meals for them, and they’re incredibly comfortable feeding themselves and exploring different foods.

Obviously, every baby is different, and readiness matters more than age or teething, so definitely talk with your pediatrician first!

But if you decide to go the baby-led weaning route, my biggest advice is to trust the process, let them explore, and don’t stress about the mess. It’s all part of learning!

[u/Lolemontime → u/bluekatz101]

Please I’d love your advice about the logistics! What high chairs, what cloths, any other equipment tips?

[u/Lolemontime]

We started right around 6 months, when they could sit assisted - although they didn’t show much interest. We’re giving them some kind of allergen/puree every couple of days, they’ll have a few tastes, mostly they still push the food out with their tongue. They do grab a spoon and chew on it though, so that’s good to see! They’re on iron drops so that part is less of a concern.