Hellobee Boards

Starting solids can be so perplexing and frustrating! Obviously you have to do it (you can't bottle-feed a 16 yo), but it's so hard when your baby seems to be having a hard time. My daughter has a very tight gut (this is my ped's term), so has a hard time passing some solids through her digestive system. We avoid giving her BRAT foods (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) because they are constipating and seem to cause her more problems than other foods. Because of this (and arsenic studies), my ped recommended that we skip rice cereal and go straight to baby oatmeal, which is easier to digest and moves easily through those tiny digestive systems. Protein can also be very hard on immature digestive systems, so don't fret. I would recommend starting your baby on something easy to digest and that most babies really like - pears or sweet potatoes would be my suggestions. See how that goes.

We also had a hard start to solids, but my 9.5 mo eats like a champ now. Just start slow and take cues from your baby. If she only wants a teaspoon, that seems fairly normal for just starting out. Good luck!

I agree with @MamaMoose:. I would hold off on solids for a bit longer.

What indications has your LO given you for solids? Is she interested in food? Are you introducing solids because you think it's time to introduce solids?

@NurseMommy: There is so much stressful information out there on what not to do when starting solids. Ignore it. Go with your gut.

My ped said (if there is no history of allergies), do whatever feels right to *you* - sweet, not sweet, use spices, whole eggs, dairy, etc. - except honey. We started with prunes (super sweet) and oatmeal because that's what my daughter needed. She eats EVERYTHING now, and much prefers whatever I am eating to baby food. Also, keep in mind - breastmilk is really sweet.

In most rice cereals, the second listed ingredient is skim milk powder. Your baby might have a dairy intolerance? (My daughter had an allergic reaction and as it turned out, she is allergic to dairy...We found out after giving her rice cereal).