Once you’ve made it through breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a mix of both, next comes the decision about which method you'll use to feed your baby their first solid foods. The debates surrounding infant feeding are arduous enough, and nobody wants to spark another mommy war. That's why it's important to talk to your pediatrician about which cereal is best to start with, whether to forgo cereal for self-feeding, and how to handle potential allergens.
"Like with almost any parenting decision, there are very few black-and-white answers," says Dr. Krupa Playforth, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of The Pediatrician Mom. "What works for one family or child may not work for another.
Feeding your baby solids is an exciting milestone, and there are many issues to consider. Be prepared to discuss your particular journey with your pediatrician, so you can keep the joy in this stage of motherhood.
Get to know your feeding preferences
That said, be open to alternatives
Before the appointment where feeding solids will be discussed, you may have already decided on one particular method. This could be from your own previous experience with older children, best practices written about on your favorite mommy blog, or simply your own beliefs. However, hearing from a medical professional can bring up some possible points that you hadn't considered or that may be more applicable to this particular child — remember each and every baby is different.
“Lots of parents will think there is only one way to do it, and that’s not true," says Dr. Playforth. "Be willing to pivot if things change."
Make the choice, and alert your pediatrician once you've decided
Because you're going to see this pediatrician again, let them know what choice you made when deciding on the feeding method. There might be things they caution you about, or they could introduce you to a helpful food chart and ways to find other resources for recipes in each food category. They can even offer support in case you hit a roadblock.
If you're unsure of how to move through each food category, talk through a routine with your pediatrician to ensure you're introducing foods safely. Have confidence that you're taking all the steps in this important decision, and make sure your team and village are all on the same page. This includes any medical professionals.
Introducing solid foods is going to be a messy step for sure! Once children realize that real food tastes great and feels fun between their fingers, there is no going back. Go through this milestone with (relative) ease by staying up to date on all your options and trying out what will work best for your child.
