Monday, May 12, 2008

Mastering Stage Two: Solids

As many of you already know, we started the boys on some baby food not too long ago. I was excited about it but was dreading it at the same time. I've said before that I feel like I just figured out how to get them both fed effectively and efficiently...by nursing them at the same time. With starting solids I feel like I've got another huge hurdle to jump and I'm not sure I'm ready to put in the time and effort its going to take. I'm sure many of you have felt this same way. So, what I worried about the most has happened. I have one little boy who loves his rice cereal and one who doesn't. UGH!!! Carson is eating it fabulously and is a happy boy when all is said and done. Cade, on the other hand, hates it and ends up a little ball of tears every time we make an attempt. I have now added a little flavor to his cereal...bananas and applesauce. He seems to like it better and lasts a little longer in his high chair but I still feel like I'm forcing it down. All he wants to do is nurse. He has absolutely no interest in the cereal and is a sad little boy until he gets his way. I've heard before that some babies take to it better than others...I think its pretty common? I've thought, maybe I should just wait a few weeks or so and try again, but in the mean time, do I still feed Carson his cereal??? I really, really, REALLY don't want one eating cereal and one not. The way that I stay sane is by having them on the same schedules, doing the same things at the same times. When it comes down to it, they are two different kids! I know I can't expect them to be exactly the same but it would really make my life a whole lot easier. HELP!!!! Anyone have any great ideas??? I would love anything you've got!
In the end, I don't want my babes to be the same. I love that they are different. They are both so unique and special in their own ways. It makes for fun times now and fun times in the future. I know that each new phase will bring new challenges. I need to be more patient with it all and not try so hard to fight it. It took me about 4 months to master the first phase. Maybe my goal should be to master this second phast in say...3 months!?!?

9 comments:

Nan and Aaron said...

You're doing an awesome job Amy Jo. Try not to stress about it too much. As long as they're eating something and continuing to grow I think they'll be okay. But it must be frustrating when you're trying to have them on the same schedule. I don't have any great advice but just know that I will surely be thinking of you and am always happy to talk if you just need to vent. Love you. Nan

julie said...

Ethan loved food and all cereal, and Liam is SO picky. One thing I do to get him, and Ethan when he was younger, to eat when they don't want is to distract him by giving him something to play with. The ones that work best are non toys :) and things with lids. He concentrates on getting the lid off (like a Nalgene bottle) and opens his mouth without realizing it...in which case I shove a huge mouthful of food in.

Katy said...

I would suggest to make Cade's cereal really thin... like milk and make his thicker lots slower than you do Carsons, but you prob already did that.

Who knows... I don't

Katy

Jeremy and Debbie said...

Instead of feeding Cade the cereal, have you tried just apple sauce or just banana's? Austin virtually skipped cereal. He really liked pureed banana's and applesauce much better. I also pureed veggies, and all my boys ate them ok.

Another Idea is to seperate the two. Feed a bite of banana's, and then a bite of rice, and so on.
I hope this helps.

Just remember they don't NEED the food right now. You are helping them learn how to use their mouth.

Good luck! and feel free to call anytime!

*LaUrA* said...

I would say just keep doing what you are doing. Having them both eating at the same time and eventually Cade will catch on. Let Carson eat to his heart's delight and just keep trying on Cade but don't force it on him. I read somewhere it can take over 100 tastes of a food before one might like it. And I agree with another comment on here...if he will eat just bananas or applesauce feed him mostly that with just a little cereal. Carter only ate cereal for a short time and moved on to all the other stuff, he just didn't like cereal that much either.

What you should definitely try is the chewy baby feeders that were on my "favorites" list. The little mesh feeders they can hold and chew on and suck on. You can put fresh fruit in them and let them naw on them and they get the yummy juice without the hazards of choking!!! They make quite a mess but Carter LOVED them!!(especially good when they start teething if they haven't already--Carter's first tooth came at 4 months)

Carter also really loved veggie baby food more than fruit...so you can try carrots or peas or squash over applesauce or bananas if you haven't tried yet to see if he likes that better.

All in all it will eventually work out. Definitely don't stress and take it slow. Your babies will be healthy and happy just with your breast milk for now...so you are just in the practice stage until the turn one...so you still have time!!!!;)

And even thought I blab I really don't know much so take everything with a grain of salt!!

Cheri said...

I just made a blog about this subject and then I came here and read this. I skip the whole cereal stage. I just breastfed exclusively until they are nearly a year old and it's no problem. I've done a lot of research on this and after working with the La Leche League group, this is what I think is best for my babies, but I know tons of women who go about introducing solids is a million different ways. I would just do what feels right to you, mixed in with a bit of their doctors advice. They look super healthy so no worries.

Cara said...

I have no advice Amy. I am counting on you to give me advice when I am in need. I love the new look. I almost didn't recognize the blog. Good luck with the solids.

Anonymous said...

You're doing great Amy. My advice is he may not like the texture of the cereal. Seanna didn't like the texture at first so I would put more solid food in the cereal so it was more smooth then gradually put less solid and more cereal. But my sisters daughter never liked it. In fact she never liked baby food. She went straight to parent food. Keep up the good work.
Jessica

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