Our Journey to Solid Foods

 cedar seemed pretty ready for solids at an early age, showing all the signs (trying to grab our food, opening his mouth, increased nursing, etc). we introduced barely cereal just after he turned 5 months old. we went slow and didn't really start trying "food" until he was 6 months. we tried lots of food in a variety of ways. we had frozen fruit in a mesh feeder- especially during tough teething. mashed veggies mixed with cereal, and a few straight by themselves. with little success.

anything too textured, too sweet, too savory, too much in proportion to cereal, pretty much anything besides banana, sweet potato or avocado he would choke and gag on.

he still seemed pretty receptive to new foods until he turned 8 months old. and then i tried to give him parsnips.. and it was bad! i had tried before with no success but this pretty much pushed him over the edge of new-food-patience. he would only open his mouth to eat after delicately tasting what i was offering him (to insure it was not parsnips aka poison). i'd consider myself to be a pretty patient parent. never really worried about milestones or how he compared to other kids, but i suddenly had visions of serving him a bowl of baby cereal at his first birthday party, and a bit of panic set in.

i finally realized i may need to change my approach. my mum suggested more playful foods, and mixing pureed fruit or veggies with something other than cereal- such as tofu! i'd been feeling pretty envious of my friends who's much younger children were eating little bits of peeled fruit, but was far too nervous to try with cedar after his recent choking accident. but progress takes chance!

so that night i steamed up some tofu and served it up with some tiny chunks of banana... and he loved it! it was amazing!

 

i think he just needed more involvement, more control and a change! he's been mashing more solid foods, and really starting to enjoy meals. cubed tofu and banana are currently his favourite. sucking on apples, and in absolute love with naval oranges! i've been pureeing tofu and veggies as well, and although he still prefers it mixed with a bit of cereal, we're finally making some real progress.

i could not be prouder. of him, and me!