Introducing Solids

Emerson is approaching her 6 month birthday. She is getting so big and developing so fast. I planned on waiting until Emerson was 6 months old to give her solids since that is what the Academy of Pediatrics recommends (however, they also say you can start anywhere between 4-6 months… it’s confusing!). However, my parenting philosophy has very much been let Emerson lead. I want what is best for her and let her pave the way. Ever since Emerson was about 4.5 months old she has been super curious about food.  Every time Vinnie and I sit down to eat dinner she reaches for the food on our plate. A couple weeks back I finally gave in and gave her some banana. She absolutely loved it! It was so fun to see her get so excited and enjoy the banana so much. The next night she was so excited about food that once she finished her banana puree, I gave her a chunk of banana to hold and play with. At her age, solid food is more about the experience of eating and learning how to swallow, develop their tastebuds and playing with the different textures of food. I have researched a lot about baby lead feeding and introducing finger foods right away. Pretty much, as long as the food is soft and mussy and they can’t chock on it, it is ok to give it to them solid. I plan on doing a mix of purees and solid foods so she can learn and experience it all. Shortly after eating the banana Emerson broke out in Eczema. I don’t think it is related but I didn’t want to introduce new foods until I had the Eczema a little more under control so we took a break from solids after the first few times. Now, a few weeks later, the Eczema is wayyyy better and we are starting to fed her solids again. This weekend, I gave her some pureed butternut squash mixed with some breastmilk. She really enjoyed this too. I think Emerson is going to be a good eater! She definitely loves to eat. Logistically, as a working mom, I am trying to figure out how we can continue to feed her solids every day. She is exhausted when she gets home from daycare. Some days she falls asleep on the drive home and is out for the night. Right now, I am thinking that I will feed her at night as much as I can and once we get a few foods under out belt, I will start to send some to daycare for her to have at lunch. I can’t even think about what we are going to do once she needs to eat real food in the morning. As it is, we are rushing out the door to beat traffic and get to work on time. Adding in breakfast for Emerson is really going to delay us a lot but I am not about to wake her up, just to feed her and get out the door so I can be at work before 9. I’ll let you know how it all plays out as it is definitely a work in progress. I want what is best for her; I try to provide her with the cleanest, most natural, organic products I can and as we start solids I plan on making all her food so I know exactly what is in it.