Introducing Solids

Does he have teeth?

Start with purées because they’re easy to swallow. Get them used to the different taste of foods through that. We also used to give like longer strips of food that our little one could hold in his hands and let him kind of like gum and gnaw on them get used to chewing. It’s nerve-racking and unsettling the whole way through no matter what. And we did an odd combination of purées and on and letting him kind of do baby lead weaning, and just let him kind of figure out food.

@Brooke He only has 2 teeth

@Kandis So you would suggest foods that he could basically chew on? Not necessarily swallow right now?

Solid starts has great guides!

Their gums can actually mash things really well ( my son didn't get any teeth until nine months actually.... We still started him at 6 months though we could have possibly waited )

@Ashley start with purees and graduate up. My daughter just turned 9 months yesterday. She only has 2 teeth. She’s had quite a bit of solids and does well working those 2 teeth lol, literally just finished her cabbage for dinner. Gagging and drooling will happen it’s something you have to just do. In moderation of course with your and babies comfort. Best of luck once you get over the hump it’s exciting to see them try new things.

Id suggest trying some self feeding and some of you feeding both , if you're open to it

@Ashley We did it like if we had chicken or like steak we would cut off a decent size strip that he could hold in his hand and kind of gum at and suck on. And of course, once he started getting teeth if he ever managed to you know break anything off we would remove it if it would’ve been an issue (or he would honestly spit it out at us). And we watched him like a hawk with anything he ate. We also gave him the Rice Husk snacks too. They were good for him to chew on and they dissolved. At nine months, my boy had tried to chew on some of my pizza. He tried waffles and pancakes and egg and he like to suck on bacon. Like others have said the gagging drooling is just gonna be par for course with that it’s normal. You’ll know if something‘s wrong.

Please download the solid starts app! Baby is ready for solids and learning about safe ways to give your kiddo a variety of foods will ease a lot of anxiety for you. Babies do NOT need teeth to start solids. Just want that to be super clear for everyone.

Have you ever started purée foods ?

@Ashley What’s the difference between that & jar baby food?

The Earths Best teether stick snacks were a MAJOR help when we stared solids. I feel like it taught my son how to take bites It also softens and dissolves really quickly . Unfortunately, there is only one way for your baby to learn to eat non-purees and it is by eating non-purees. If it is small and SOFT, they might gag a little bit but gagging is a good sign, it means their gag reflex is working and they’ll learn to take smaller bites (but please confirm with your pediatrician). You can start with more texture, like a little bit of oatmeal, teething sticks. Raspberries are an easy fruit because you can just rip them in half and they quickly turn to mush once your baby puts them in their mouth.