At this point, all I can say is that even though I read the books and scowered the interwebs… no one knows my baby like I do. So go ahead and tell me I’m a horrible mother because I’ve been feeding Mavi solids for a little over 2 weeks. Yup, since he turned 3 months old.
I know you can’t really judge what everyone says and that it’s a simple guideline but I felt horribly wrong when I decided to feed Mavi his first spoon of cereal but at the same time was relieved. He’s a crazy drinker and even more so since I’ve been feeding him formula…yes yes, less boobie for Mavi and more formula (For some reason I can see lots of head nodding and bad-mouthing.) PEOPLE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH FORMULA. Actually I’ve learned to embrace it. He still breastfeeds mornings and evenings, but anywhere in between that, it’s all formula combined with food.
Mavi eats, he eats alot and I don’t know if it was because I was fed up of having him constantly on me (feeding) or the fact that he would stare at me eating… but I decided enough is enough and it was time to feed him. I KNOW they say that there is no-reason to feed a baby until he’s 6 months old. But having a 3 month old wear 6-12 months clothes, I highly disagree. If I wait until he’s what they say he should be, poor Mavi will be wearing 24month old clothes and basically not doing anything else but drink drink drink.
I started off with Rice Cereal and only a small spoon full, like many of the sites/books said so. He liked it. I kept a log of what he ate and when. (see below)
- Day 1, 2, 3 = Rice : 1 table spoon @ dinner time
- Day 4, 5 = Rice : 2 table spoons @ dinner time
- Day 6, 7, 8 = Oats : 2 table spoons @ dinner time
- Day 9, 10 = Barley : 2 table spoons @ dinner time
Then I started adding cereal at lunchtime as well. Day 11 was a tough one. After eating rice for 5 days, trying it again after the Oats and Barley Cereal didn’t go so well. He would NOT like it. Even Gagged. So I tried mixing it with the other ones. But he’s a smart cookie and knew it. But I gave him very little. (not even 1/4 of the cereal combo)
- Day 11 : Barley = 2 table spoons @ lunchtime
Rice / Barley = 2 table spoons @ dinner time - Day 12 : Oats = 2 table spoons @ lunchtime
Rice / Oats = 2 table spoons @ dinner time - Day 13 : Barley = 2 table spoons @ lunchtime
Rice / Oats = 2 table spoons @ dinner time - Day 14 : Oats = 2 table spoons @ lunchtime
Rice / Barley = 2 table spoons @ dinner time
I figured because I was feeding him early in the game, it would be best to give him a couple of weeks of eating exclusively cereal. But as of yesterday, the 3 week mark, I’ve started with the vegetables. Because there will be lots of monitoring : likes, dislikes, allergies…etc I am using the Heinz food planner to stay updated on when he started each food, if he liked it or not and if I have specific notes to add. I’m pretty sure there are better ways to keep track. But for now this is working fine for me.
I’m always afraid of telling people I started feeding Mavi solids because I have no clue what their reaction will be since technically he’s still 3 months old. But then again, what’s the big deal? It’s my baby and only I know my baby and what he wants. I mean, by day 7 I was fed up of feeding him awkwardly (him on my lap) so we decided to take out the high chair (another thing they say isn’t a good idea before 6 months – but Mavi seems to be doing just fine)
Of course we had to film his first experience in the big boy chair. He’s adorable. As soon as I put him in his high chair, he knows it means food so he smiles at me until I actually get to feed him. It’s so cute. Look how he opens his mouth when the spoon is near. Now if that doesn’t mean he’s ready… I don’t know what is?!
* Please note, not all babies are the same and I strongly suggest you consult your pediatrician before taking any decisions. I am blogging my personal experience.
Posted by: Kelly | Glamour This! official blog of Blushink with 7 comments
I’m already so sick of unsolicited advice, people telling me I’m doing this wrong, etc! As soon as you have a baby everyone who’s ever just HELD a baby suddenly becomes a baby expert and starts bombarding you with suggestions and judgements. Like you said, we’re the mothers and we know our babies best. And for what it’s worth, I personally think that it’s wonderful that Mavi’s already taken well to solids and that you’ve decided to supplement with formula. I know that you’re doing the best you can, and that you’re making the best decision for Mavi and for your family and that’s what’s really counts. Keep up the great work!
I think you’re a GREAT mom! You know your child and you’ve been able to do what you think is best for him. I had a hard time breast feeding and had immense guilt for stopping at 1 month. It was the best decision given all the circumstances, but it killed me. A friend sent me this NYTimes article a few years back and it made me feel more sane: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/why-i-dumped-the-pump/?emc=eta1
Now – my kid is 3… she’s happy healthy and I know that our good genes have more to do with her health than breast-feeding. I’ll try breast-feeding again with our next kid… but I won’t feel guilty or bad if it doesn’t work. Being a mom is hard work – the hardest job anyone could have. You are doing A-OK in my book!
AND – solids at 3 months is fine… my doctor recommended starting b/w 4-6 months… 3 months / 4 months… pish / posh… it’s all the same!
You are a GREAT mom!! don’t worry about the bashers. I also have to 2nd Geek In Heels about unsolicited advice. ugh it’s annoying but I always do what my mom told me, if you don’t agree with it, just nodd your head and say ” I will give your ___ the consideration it deserves” and ignore it. Because when it comes down to it, It’s YOUR baby, you know what works best for him. That’s why I never got into all those books etc, because it’s just people saying your doing something wrong blah blah. I think as long as Mavi is healthy and happy your all good!
Both my kids had food before 6 months…. it is whenever they are ready, it seems to me like Mavi is ready, look at the video! On the down low, I tried rice cereal with my second and he wouldn’t eat it, not rice, barely, oats, thin/thick, mixed with fruit/veggies…nothing! So I went right to baby food… ooooohhhhhhh!!!
You go for listening to your mommy instincts! Kudos!
I just came over from OMGmom! And I’m SO glad I did. I just read this and said AMEN!! I started feeding my son, Mason solids when he was about 3 mo. old and everyone flipped out! He loved it, we started with cereal but then I switched to sweet pots & avacados and he loves solids, he’s happier, healthier, sleeps longer, never fusses. I mean, whatever works for your baby, every baby is different so I don’t understand how people can put a blanket statement like Feed your baby solids at ___ month. I say screw them, I was in labor for 27 hrs. with the boy, I will make the decisions as to what is best for him! So you go ahead and do what YOU know is best for sweet little Mavi
Welcome Samantha! Thank you. I have to admit I’m a little fed up of books and what everyone says I should do. I think im doing fine… and SO ARE YOU!
Nothing wrong with it. Being a good mom is knowing what your baby needs. Good for you for understanding he needed more than just the boob and bottle.