When a new mom learns that it’s time for her baby to start eating solid foods, she feel super excited about this milestone she’ll get to experience with her baby. Unfortunately, though, things don’t always go as planned! Babies have a mind of their own — and a palate of their own, too! What one baby loves, another baby thinks is perfect for throwing across the room. In reality, with babies, there is a difference between what you want and what your kid will do.
No matter how your baby takes their first solid foods, or when, know that any struggles you face are probably common. These moms can attest to their own trials with those first bites.
Sometimes you have to throw the traditional rules out the window
They might enjoy something you don't expect
“My oldest son was in day care for a while, when his teacher came and told me how great of an eater he was. I was so proud! I really tried hard to make sure that he was introduced to every type of food when age appropriate, especially vegetables and fruits.
One day, I went to a lunch date with him at school and found out why he was so successful in the clean plate club – his teacher was seasoning up his food like it was her own! She had all of the children climbing on her to get a taste of the seasoning she liked to use (an all-purpose, no-salt seasoning) from spoons!
It was no wonder why her cooking was such a big hit with all the babies. From then on, I started seasoning his purees and mixes at home, and my great eater became a superstar!”
—Chanel, mom of two
Be prepared for a whole new set of tastebuds with the next baby
“I knew that my second child would be different from my first, but I did not know how. Everyone was telling me that they would be like night and day. So I wasn’t surprised when my second baby was not a great sleeper when my first went down so easy, and the second didn’t enjoy Mickey Mouse as much as my first.
But I was shocked when I piled up a plate full of my first son’s favorite foods and served it to my second. My first child loved anything juicy — think tomatoes, berries, etc. One night, it was time for my second to try out some tomatoes for the first time, and was I in for a surprise! Let’s just say I wasn’t thinking red wall paint was in my future, and I’m glad that we had some great cleaner to get those tomatoes off the walls!”
—Lauren, mom of three
Babies tend to change their minds at the drop of a hat and discard what you think they would love
“Noah was a good eater when he was younger. Noah loved broccoli, eggs, and chicken when he was little. As he grew, he ditched the eggs, but the broccoli and chicken stuck … to the point where he asks for chicken and broccoli for dinner sometimes now.”
—Alfreda, mom of one
Your village might sneak foods you don't approve of
“I had a patient who allowed her father-in-law to babysit her child. For some reason, the father-in-law had it in his mind that the baby’s first food would be ice cream and snuck it to the child while babysitting.
Of course, most things in moderation are probably fine — but the parents were really offended! They got past it, but it was tough at home for a while!”
