I’m really stuck on this issue of baby’s first feeding, but
rightfully so, it’s a huge milestone.
I really want to drive home to my readers, who have not started feeding,
to start thinking about it now. When will you start feeding and
what? Talk to your pediatrician as
soon as possible. Basically a baby
can start handling food at 4 months, but the American Academy of Pediatrics
and most places around the world recommend holding off until 6 months, or
at least until your baby has met certain growth milestones. Next you will want to know
what kind of food you will feed your baby first, (i.e. rice cereal, veggies,
fruits) and will it be store bought or will you make it. This is a huge milestone, you will need
to/want to be prepared.
I thought I was prepared. I knew I wanted to feed him as
soon as he was ready, and that I wanted to make his food. When our pediatrician said go for it,
we did. Now nearly a week later I have some regrets. I know the doctor would not have said
go for it if Oliver were not ready, but I still worry he is too young. However, he is an 18 pound, 26 inch long, 4 month old baby who loves to watch me
eat. Still, he has been exclusively breastfed since birth, he probably would
have been fine to wait until 6 months old. Or would he? I’ll never know, and I
have to get over that.
I worry about his little digestive system and how he feels
with the food in his belly. I have
decided to really slow things down. I’m only feeding him about a tablespoon of
food at dinnertime. He eats with
us. When he starts to demand more
I will feed him more. I follow his
cues, and if he turns up his nose, that’s it with that food… for now.
On a positive note, he opens his mouth and genuinely seems
happy to be eating. He smacked his
little lips together and opens his mouth for more when he is finished. The way
he was so quick to catch on to eating has really put my heart and mind at ease.
And, there is no question feeding him at night with us has helped him sleep
longer and more soundly.
As first time parents, the hubs and I struggle weekly with
different parental decisions. What
we have learned is that we have to own the decisions, and have faith that we
have made the right choice. After hitting this big eating milestone, we have
also realized that we need to start looking down the road to our next
milestone. We need to make sure we
have all of the information and tools necessary to make the right
decision. I cannot recommend
enough that you do the same!
