George has shown serious interest in food for a little while but we wanted to wait until he was close to 6 months (we introduced him to food a week before his six month birthday!). He has been staring me down when I’m eating + it’s the cutest thing.
Hubs and I started him with sweet potato. We mashed up a good soft + boiled sweet potato and I had some large chunks on the side as well because I was interested in BLW (baby-led weaning…don’t know why it’s called weaning because breastmilk isn’t going anywhere, anywayyy!).
I was very hesitant to share this story but this is real life + I think it could be helpful to new mommies and daddies.
So.
GBB had a great time swooshing the mashed sweet potato around + it was all over the place (and oh so cute!). I went to start a bath for him because George had mashed sweet potato everywhere! I’m talking behind his ear, everywhere.
And that’s when I heard Aaron shout for me.
George had crumbled the large chunk of sweet potato and shoved a smaller piece in his mouth and was full-blown choking. Yes, you read that right. Choking. Scariest moment of my life.
I rushed over and Aaron + I acted quickly and efficiently. The three of us were all very shook up and tears were shed (truthfully, I cried more than anyone!). George had a bath + then spent the night giggling with us and was in great spirits.
I, on the other hand, was a complete mess.
Hubs made me take a time-out + I couldn’t stop crying that whole night. It was so scary, you guys!
This incident totally put things into perspective. In a blink of an eye, things can change. I’ve never been more thankful for my health, my baby, my husband, my life.
ANYWAY.
GBB has had mashed sweet potato since then + isn’t an ounce bothered by what happened. It is something I will never forget and I have learned so much from that moment.
^the cutest tableware for littles!
Hubs and I were both excited about this new food adventure with GBB but we were not on the same page. He was mashing up the sweet potatoes but I wanted to have large chunks. Hubs didn’t understand the BLW method and I was getting frustrated trying to explain it (I know, I’m trying to be more patient; see my 2016 goal post here). Somehow, we managed to have mashed and large chunks but obviously didn’t discuss how we as parents wanted to introduce George to solids. Lesson learnt!
And it doesn’t have to be a super complicated thing + it doesn’t have to be a stress, but it was. And then the choking incident went down anddddd we learned a very valuable lesson that night. Parenthood, right?
Solid Food + Baby 101:
- Get on the same parent page; this applies to all things parenting. Communication is key!
- Watch your baby while they eat! Read your baby’s cues! Babies make the very best faces and can tell you what’s going on!
- Foods at this age are introduced to get baby interested + to slowly learn to appreciate foods other than breastmilk or formula. It is not necessary that baby eats everything in front of them or takes the whole spoonful. Baby will still be getting their needed nutrients from breastmilk or formula, so enjoy the learning process! Having baby touching the food + tasting it slowly and at their speed is ideal, in my opinion.
- Try one new food item in three day spurts (i.e., sweet potato for three days and then avocado for three days, etc.). See how baby reacts to it. And mommies + daddies, you think poopy diapers were gross when it was solely breastmilk/formula? Yeahhhhh well, those poopy diapers change. And they get smelly! ;)
- If you do decide to do the BLW-method, make sure food is soft, cut in appropriate sizes (big chunks, strips, etc.), and that both mommy + daddy know to look for too-small pieces and baby’s physical reaction to foods. You can find loads of information about this method online + Pinterest has cute ideas too!
- Gagging is normal. Choking sometimes happens. Know the difference + educate yourself on infant first aid/CPR. And I can honestly say, I was super nervous about introducing foods to GBB + especially after the sweet potato incident but remember, babies are intuitive + can pick-up when you’re stressed, so just try your best to enjoy the experience!
- Have FUN! Yes, it can hella-stressful but introducing foods to your baby should be done with insouciance! George made mashed sweet potato art on his high chair tray + was having a blast! I even have the sweetest video of it that I will cherish forever.
- Some families choose to start with a cereal but we decided to start with veggies! We chose to start with vegetables that have a smooth taste (sweet potato, avocado, as examples) and move onto veggies with a more intense taste (ie., carrots + peas). From there, we’re planning to move into the fruit section (I can’t wait to introduce GBB to banana! He always stares me down when I’m eating one!). Remember, no honey for little baby before age 1!
- Oh, and I am very much NOT a professional (obvi! see above.) and I think discussing any concerns you have with starting baby on solids with your paediatrician/doctor is a brilliant idea!
Remember to be patient with your baby + most importantly, yourself! Do what makes you feel comfortable. Your baby will enjoy the bonding time with you + the mess they can make when it’s food time! Maybe invest in a really great plastic tablecloth to put underneath the highchair for quick clean-up too!
I hope that in sharing our wildly scary solid food incident with GBB + what we have learned from it, it is helpful! Also, I am so open to any advice or tips + tricks that work for you and with your littles! Please let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading!
XO
PS. Look at how strong this little dude is?! I meannnnnn where did my baby go? Also, those baby joggers. I seriously want a pair.
