Starting solids - how many times a day?

[BekZ]

My rule of thumb goes like this:

First week offer once per day at bubs happiest time
If they are handling that ok then offer twice per day (after around 1 week)
Then by 3 to 5 weeks 3 meals per day. I am more likely to make it 5 weeks

I also offer water in a sippy cup at each meal

Don't be in a rush to increase too quickly. If bub is having a few unsettled days then ease off on the solids.

Foods: I always try single foods for around 3 days in a row. This way I can tell if that particular food is agreeing with bub. Then if I know bub can tolerate a certain food I mix it up. To make rice cereal more palatable try mixing it with apple or pear.

Foods that I avoid initally: Berries, citrus and the main allergy foods

Currently I am investigating BLS and I will be doing a mix of the old puree method and BLS.

I hope that helped.

[farmgirl77]

Hello,
Thanks for the advice.

So far I think I have broken most of the rules due to ignorance!!!

So, now I'm just trying to give him the teaspoon of a commercial(!) blend with the good intentions to do up some single vegies tomorrow and freeze some in ice cube trays. But he is loving it, so might try some finger food bits as well at lunch time. I think that is already hanging out for his solids (do them at about 5pmish) as he is refusing bottle beforehand and trying to eat me - plus in the last day he has been trying to get his hands on everything that I try and put near my mouth! Clearly he thinks he is ready for more LOL.

Hope it keeps going like this and thanks for the advice.
FG

[Winter]

:yeahthat:

I love the faces when they try things for the first time!!

I can highly recommend BLS too, it has really worked for us. DD (9.5months) is on family foods and eats anything & everything.

In truth what we did was probably a mix of BLS & mushy stuff to begin with and that worked for us. Just take what works for you & your bub.

And MantaRay might drop in & update you on the allergy recommendations nowadays. As long as there is no history of allergy to a food in the family, then all food is ok to give your baby except for honey (risk of botulism bacteria in honey) & whole nuts (choking hazard).

Good luck & have fun! Take lots of photos of the food all over his face too, classic!

[Fleur]

We are also combining BLS & purees atm.
She has been having dinner for about 2 weeks now & has had 'breakfast' twice. Only thing is with AR, she's not a huge bottle drinker & never has been, so I don't want her to take too many solids instead of milk IYKWIM?

Pumpkin has always been a great starter with my kids, & she has had some steamed broccoli & loved it too.

I think we might switch to just mornings for a while - she's been waking (3nights in a row now ) for a 1:30 - 2am poo & then play for 2 hours.... I suspect it might have a bit to do with solids so we will switch times & see...

I would go with whatever time seems best for your guy, just start slowly & gradually introduce a bit more. You'll know if he's ready for more or not