Transitioning your Babe to Solids

 Ok let me start by saying, in no way do I claim to be an expert on baby lead weaning, or transitioning babies to solids....at all. BUT, I am very happy to share my philosophy and how I have approached/am approaching this for both my sons. 

So here is my approach......

1) Simplicity is my middle name. Simplicity in ALL the ways...so ways I have kept it simple:

• I have never bought a special appliance to make my babies food. I don't even own baby sized utensils. I own just one baby plate and that's only because it was gifted to me. I just have never felt I needed so much *stuff* to feed my babies well. The only things I have that are specific for my babies are fruit pacifiers (linked here: Fruit pacifier ). This is the very first thing I use when introducing foods to my babies. I have started with bananas for both my sons, which I don't think is the "right" choice. Many other fruits or vegetables could also be great first foods. But I happen to eat A LOT of bananas so always have them on hand, making them an easy, convenient first food. I would put small pieces of bananas in the pacifier and freeze it. Both my sons loved gumming these things--I think it felt good on teething gums too! 

But to say a thing or two more about first foods: my take is, feed whatever fruits or vegetables are ripe or in season. My firstborn was born in March, which meant he started exploring foods at the end of the summer when all the melons were in season. So in addition to banana some of his other first foods were local, in season watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydew. 

My second son was born in August, which meant he started exploring foods in the late winter/early spring. So in addition to banana, some of his first foods were grapes and oranges....which again, I would introduce safely and easily by sticking a small piece in the fruit pacifier and either serving to him fresh or frozen. 

I'll say it again, I don't think there's a perfect "right" food for you to choose as your child's first foods. I know there is a lot of information out there about first foods. Everyone has an opinion. And I'm perfectly aware I have my own opinion. But as I strongly communicate to every woman I work with and coach: health isn't about doing things other people's ways. Health is about self awareness. Health is about a connection to ourselves--and in this case--our babies too. Your baby was born at a unique time, in a unique place, has unique needs and desires. 

In some ways life would be a lot simpler if there was a users manual and all we had to do was follow the rules. But that's not how life works. There truly are no rules. Life is a journey of self exploration. And as mothers, our job is to know our babies, and listen to their ques and follow their lead. 

So if you were hoping I would give you a perfect script to follow as to what foods to introduce to your baby, in what order, and at a very specific time....I'm sorry, but that's not at all my personal approach to feeding my own children. 

SO all that to say, when it comes to first foods keep it simple. And focus on sharing whatever is ripe, in season, and the best quality. If you have beautiful avocados, share them. If it's strawberry season, definitely share them! In my book, ANY fruit is a great choice for a first food....and soft veggies a great runner up.

I'm imagining some of you are wondering next, "Ok, but WHEN should I introduce solids? At what age?"

Which leads me to my next point:

2) Trust your baby's lead.

• SO much of motherhood is about being emotionally attuned to our children. Our kids aren't all the same. I think we have to approach all of our children with openness and curiosity to discover who they uniquely are, and what their unique needs and interests are--at every age. 

My firstborn wasn't super interested in many solids until around 11 months. He would suck on his little fruit pacifier here and there, and certainly nibble bites of my fruit, my smoothies, my salads, or other simple things I was eating before his first birthday. But he never sat down to a full meal before he was one. 

Now my second son I refer to as my "ravenous beast" (lol). At 5 months he was showing SO many signs of wanting to try my foods. Signs like: staring me down as I brought something to my mouth, grunting at me while I ate, grabbing at my food, or straining his neck towards my plate. So, despite him being, so young (or what I felt was so young at 5 months), AND also him not being able to sit up on his own or even hold his head up that great, I started allowing him to nibble at or simply lick my food. So while I was eating oranges, I would put a slice to his mouth and allow him to taste. Or while I was drinking my smoothie I'd put a little on the tip of my finger and let him try it. And, of course, I started filling a fruit pacifier with banana and then some berries so he could feed himself. 

He's currently 6 months at the time I'm writing this. At this rate I foresee him wanting to eat more and more and bigger and bigger meals before he turns 1. 

But truly, truly, I am fully in service and in trust of whatever direction he leads.

Many times I have gotten messages from concerned moms who tell me their 8 or 10 or even 14 month old doesn't want to eat, and just wants to nurse. To which I have responded, "great! Trust their lead"!

If your baby wants to eat food, let them eat food. If your baby only or primarily wants to nurse, let them nurse. I really, deeply believe we can trust our babies. Our milk is their perfect food. And fruits and vegetables and eventually other foods are perfect for them as well as they show interest.

I don't fight. I don't try to change them. And I'd encourage you to do the same. 

Choosing to trust our children is such a gift to them.....and that starts even as they are little infants. I choose to raise my boys in trust. Trust that they are wise and knowledgeable about what they want and need--and truly they are! It is we as adults who have been so deeply (and truthfully so negatively) impacted by diet culture and food dogma. It is WE as mothers and parents that need to do the work on trusting ourselves and our own bodies. But our babies, who haven't been impacted by society yet, they are already in tune with their bodies. So instead of trying to change them or fight with them to eat less of this or more of that, perhaps we should take a few notes from THEM.  

Trust your babe. 

3) My babies eat what I eat

• So this ties perfectly in with my first point on simplicity. I have never made my babies a special, separate meal. I have always just shared what I'm eating, with my babies. Isn't this how it's been done all throughout history? We didn't have special pouches or baby food making appliances--not that there is inherently anything wrong with those things....just that, they're not necessary. It can be as simple as making yourself a simple whole foods smoothie, and sharing some sips with your infant. Or baking a potato, and offering them as many bites as they want. Or roasting some veggies and sharing those too. 

In my home, we all eat the same things. The only exceptions I have made to this is I will always allow my children to opt for a smoothie, whole fruit, or leftovers if we have them. 

I am totally fine with my children, especially when they are very young, to choose fruit for a meal. It may not be popular in a world so tirelessly obsessed with protein, but fruit can be a full meal. 

In fact, I think fruit makes a GREAT full meal. There are amino acids (protein) in literally every fruit. I have eaten countless all fruit meals myself over the last decade. Fruit is perfect human food. And many toddlers loveeee fruit and would happily eat only fruit for many meals if allowed. I say, let them. 

So that's my take on that: we all eat together, and if you don't like what momma prepared, go eat a banana (or a couple) with peanut butter. Knock yourself out. 

 As they grow, and move beyond nibbling on a fruit pacifier, or eating little bites of things here or there, I start to introduce smoothies as full meals. My 2 year old has a smoothie every morning (honestly often 2 smoothies!). I continue to share my meals, offering them smaller portions. I allow tons of snacking on fruit and veg. I don't stress about protein....ever. I add lots of hemp seeds, flax, peanut butter, shredded coconut and chia to smoothies to add lots of good omegas and amino acids. 

And I just keep trusting their lead. 

So that's my take! I hope that feels helpful and thorough enough for you. If you have any questions, feel free to message me and I'm happy to explain further or add more details to this post. 

I will say, for those who are really struggling with getting fruits and veg in their little one, I always have to mention my favorite puffs. They are plant based, raw and organic...and...this is truly amazing to me...contain 100% of a toddlers fruit and veg needs in one bag. 

 As much fresh food as my toddler eats, I still give these to him very regularly, because they're just yummy and loaded with good things! 

They might be a great option and support for you so you don't have to constantly be concerned about your little one's nutrition. Just offer them a bag of puffs and they covered! 

Here's the link for them: World's Healthiest Puffs

I'm proud to be affiliated with them too so also have a coupon for you: OLIVIA10

And for some other healthy snack ideas, check out this other blog post where I listed some of our other healthy, go-to packaged snacks: Health Kids Snacks List

AND FINALLY, I have created this 3 day toddler meal plan that was an exact copy and paste of 3 days of my own son's meals. If you feel a meal plan would help give you more ideas, recipes or insights into how I feed my children, then I made this for you and I trust it will serve you well: 3 Day Toddler Meal Plan

Like I said above, I don't claim to be an expert on all things feeding babies and toddlers. BUT, I am an expert on my own body and health, and I feel I am doing quite well raising my two boys to love healthy foods in a way that supports their health, without creating crazy rigid or restrictive rules around food. They're both great eaters. Growing beautifully. And very rarely sick. 

Ok, I'll free you now to go prepare your little (or yourself!) a nutritious snack or meal. 

Rooting for your family's health and happiness! 

In love, Olivia