Beginning solids and have questions

[KrisM]

I read all the books, but now that we actually started solids, I find I have more questions.

First, he seems to like the cereal, but once he gets some in his mouth, he then sucks on his 2 fingers. I think he's doing it so that he sucks the food down. Is this okay?

Second, how long do I stick with cereal? Right now, we're at about 1.5 teaspoons (dry) once per day. I want to move slowly, but am not sure what the best plan is. Suggestions?

Third, as I said, he does seem to like the cereal, but it seems to put him to sleep! He hasn't actually fallen asleep, but gets that dazed look in his eyes. Any idea why? Maybe he doesn't like it?

Thanks for any help.

[audys]

Hi Kris,

I started my DS with rice cereal (1 tsp) mixed with 2 tablespoons of EBM (although you could also use formula).

New foods can be introduced weekly - just do one at a time in case he has any kind of allergic reaction.

I then started with yellow/orange veggies - carrots, sweet potatoes. We had to later changed to green veggies because of constipation.

I basically followed the schedule outlined for me by my pediatrician so you may want to check with your doctor too.

Take care,
Audrey, mother to Graham

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[lisaE]

I read that babies suck their fingers to help move the food back down into the mouth. Previous to this, sucking was the only way he knew to get the food down, so the sucking is a natural part of their learning.

HTH!

[jdm]

My son used to suck his fingers after eating as well. As Lisa said, it's completely natural.

--k

[KrisM]

I was just wondering if was a sign that he wasn't ready for solids, since he needed his fingers to suck it back. I'm glad it's part of the learning process.

[stillplayswithbarbies]

>First, he seems to like the cereal, but once he gets some in
>his mouth, he then sucks on his 2 fingers. I think he's doing
>it so that he sucks the food down. Is this okay?
>

It's okay, per se, but it is a sign that he is not ready to swallow solids yet. I would hold off until he is able to move the food around in his mouth with his tongue. He'll get practice at that by chewing on and mouthing his toys and exploring them with his lips, gums, and tongue.

>Second, how long do I stick with cereal? Right now, we're at
>about 1.5 teaspoons (dry) once per day. I want to move
>slowly, but am not sure what the best plan is. Suggestions?
>

There are a lot of different schools of thought on that. I started with bananas since so many babies have such troubles with cereal. Even when we tried cereal at 12 months, it was constipating for her so we never really did much of it.

>Third, as I said, he does seem to like the cereal, but it
>seems to put him to sleep! He hasn't actually fallen asleep,
>but gets that dazed look in his eyes. Any idea why? Maybe he
>doesn't like it?
>

Maybe his body is putting a lot of energy into digesting it, so it makes him tired? Kind of like how we feel like we need a nap after a big meal, maybe?

...Karen
DS Jake Feb 91, DD Logan Mar 03
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