At Geoff's last visit, Dr. Chang told us to start feeding him rice cereal once he turned four months. She said it was important that he start learning how to eat solids because some babies will get so accustomed to drinking their meals that they won't adjust well when they nutritionally need solids. (I have also read somewhere that at 4 months, babies are still pretty malleable, but that the older they get, the harder it is to change routines.) Basically, solids right now or "dessert" - they are not for nutrition, but for practice.
For some reason that I have not been able to explain clearly, I was resistant to the idea of starting solids yet. I'm sure these contribute - but I don't know if they really explain it: I love breastfeeding, and do not look forward to the day when he won't need it anymore... right now, I know he is getting healthy food, but once he starts eating solids, you never know... the practicality of it - his diapers are easy to deal with and don't smell bad (and, weird as this sounds - I think I am going to miss his newborn - exclusively breastfed diapers...) ... I feel proud of myself that he is so healthy and thriving because of me, and I think in my brain I connected his lower (percentile) weight at his last doctor's visit to the fact that he is only breastfed and she wants him to start solids - so I feel like maybe I am not adequate and he needs more now (instead of at 6 months.) I know many of those reasons are silly, but it was just how I was feeling. (Grant says it is his first step towards moving out and that is why I am so resistant... hee hee)
Anyway, we decided to star solids on July 4th. The main reason was because we have a Doctor's appointment today (July 9) and I figured it was best that we at least attempted it before the doctor visit so we could discuss any issues with Dr. Chang (rather then start after and have to wait a whole month to see Dr. Chang if there ARE issues. Of course, she is great about returning calls, but still. It was a good kick in the pants for me!
We are starting Geoff on rice cereal, and he has had it on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday so far. Even on day one, he didn't spit it out - but he did make the cutest faces and sort of work it around in his mouth before swallowing. He definitely needs to learn how to swallow - I guess that's what this practice is for - but I do think the majority of it ended up in his tummy. (I guess I was thinking he might just spit it out completely, showing that he wasn't ready for solids yet - but alas - he did not.) On Sunday he started crying after about two bites, but the rest of the time he ate more.
We are starting out with 2 tablespoons of rice cereal mixed with an ounce of breast milk once a day, and he eats about half of it. We'll see what Dr. Chang says, but after about a week, we'll probably up it to twice a day.
My little boy is growing up!
For some reason that I have not been able to explain clearly, I was resistant to the idea of starting solids yet. I'm sure these contribute - but I don't know if they really explain it: I love breastfeeding, and do not look forward to the day when he won't need it anymore... right now, I know he is getting healthy food, but once he starts eating solids, you never know... the practicality of it - his diapers are easy to deal with and don't smell bad (and, weird as this sounds - I think I am going to miss his newborn - exclusively breastfed diapers...) ... I feel proud of myself that he is so healthy and thriving because of me, and I think in my brain I connected his lower (percentile) weight at his last doctor's visit to the fact that he is only breastfed and she wants him to start solids - so I feel like maybe I am not adequate and he needs more now (instead of at 6 months.) I know many of those reasons are silly, but it was just how I was feeling. (Grant says it is his first step towards moving out and that is why I am so resistant... hee hee)
Anyway, we decided to star solids on July 4th. The main reason was because we have a Doctor's appointment today (July 9) and I figured it was best that we at least attempted it before the doctor visit so we could discuss any issues with Dr. Chang (rather then start after and have to wait a whole month to see Dr. Chang if there ARE issues. Of course, she is great about returning calls, but still. It was a good kick in the pants for me!
We are starting Geoff on rice cereal, and he has had it on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday so far. Even on day one, he didn't spit it out - but he did make the cutest faces and sort of work it around in his mouth before swallowing. He definitely needs to learn how to swallow - I guess that's what this practice is for - but I do think the majority of it ended up in his tummy. (I guess I was thinking he might just spit it out completely, showing that he wasn't ready for solids yet - but alas - he did not.) On Sunday he started crying after about two bites, but the rest of the time he ate more.
We are starting out with 2 tablespoons of rice cereal mixed with an ounce of breast milk once a day, and he eats about half of it. We'll see what Dr. Chang says, but after about a week, we'll probably up it to twice a day.
My little boy is growing up!
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