How did you start your DC on solids?

I'm so not sure how to do solids at all.

First off I thought the norm, the way everyone did it, the way it was supposed to be done was that anytime between 4 to 6 months you were supposed to mix a bit of oatmeal in with a few teaspoons of formula and feed it to baby once a day, usually after a bottle. I never knew anything different and as far as I knew no one i know did anything different. But I also never asked and no one ever mentioned to me they started with bananas, rice, avocado, peas, or anything else.

When do I know Liam is ready? H'es cut one tooth so far, and I think another will be coming in soon as he's gumming his fist alot again.

So do I *have* to start with oatmeal? In fact someone just told me today that usually oatmeal isn't introduced *until* 8 months?? OK, I'm so confused!! I am going to buy SuperFoods and the other book the same author wrote but if someone can give me a basic rundown of what a baby can or should have as their first solid food, what time of day is best (I'll always be introducing a new food on a Saturday morning only, as that way I have the whole weekend to watch for reactions), what is better for them to start with, fruit or veggie or a starch.

I also thought that the very first thing moms did to start babies on solids was to put a child's spoonful of oatmeal into a bottle of formula and that is the baby's first introduction to solids. Is that not done anymore?

And is everything at first mixed in with formula? Like strained peas too?

Do you give them a whole jar full (or in the case of home made a whole ice cube) as a serving? Or 2 jars?

Any guidance appreciated!!

Re: How did you start your DC on solids?

I started with Rice first and gave that to DD for 3 straight days to make sure there were no allergies and such. If this is the 1st time you are giving DC solids you should make it pretty watery until he/she gets used to eating. Follow the directions on the box as to how to make it for the 1st time. After giving your child rice then move onto Barley or Oatmeal and do the same. Once you have established no alleriges you can swap em everyday and progressively make it thicker and give more.

I waited to the go ahead for veggies and fruits. Started veggies first and did the same thing- 3 straight days and gave as much as she would eat.

Good Luck and have your camera out

Re: How did you start your DC on solids?

Holy Questions!

OK I will try to answer them as best I can...

When do I know Liam is ready?
I knew Kerri was ready when she was drinking more then 30oz a day...she was always hungry so thats when we decided to start solids. Her teeth have nothing to do with it....in fact she still doesn't have any.

So do I *have* to start with oatmeal?
No you don't have to start with oatmeal. I started with rice cereal...I think alot of Moms do this since it is easy to digest. I gave a tablespoon in the morning mixed with 4-5oz of formula...at first you make it runny then increae the cereal and lessen out the formula....now she has 2 tbsp of cereal to 2oz of formula.

I did rice for a week, then Oatmeal for a week, then Barley for a week. Now I mix them up each day.

I would give her a bottle at 7am when she awoke then give cereal around 9am...followed by a bottle

I also thought that the very first thing moms did to start babies on solids was to put a child's spoonful of oatmeal into a bottle of formula and that is the baby's first introduction to solids. Is that not done anymore?


I wouldn't recommend this...the whole point is for them to learn to eat with the spoon.

And is everything at first mixed in with formula? Like strained peas too?


I did just cereal for a month then started veggies...sometimes I mix it in the cereal....esp the ones she doesn't like, like peas. Sometimes I feed it sepreatly.

Do you give them a whole jar full (or in the case of home made a whole ice cube) as a serving? Or 2 jars?
I started with half a jar then moved up to one jar...no more then that at a sitting

Hope that helps

Re: How did you start your DC on solids?

Thanks Mo it helps a lot!

Re: How did you start your DC on solids?

Posted by mtg1970

I started with Rice first and gave that to DD for 3 straight days to make sure there were no allergies and such. If this is the 1st time you are giving DC solids you should make it pretty watery until he/she gets used to eating. Follow the directions on the box as to how to make it for the 1st time. After giving your child rice then move onto Barley or Oatmeal and do the same. Once you have established no alleriges you can swap em everyday and progressively make it thicker and give more.

I waited to the go ahead for veggies and fruits. Started veggies first and did the same thing- 3 straight days and gave as much as she would eat.

Good Luck and have your camera out