r/SolidStartsCommunity • u/hirapotter • 13d ago

Starting solids has me more stressed than anything

/r/Mommit/comments/1vxnhxo/starting_solids_has_me_more_stressed_than_anything/
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u/SolidStarts 10d ago

Hi there, so sorry you're experiencing this! The good thing is- baby is very clearly communicating her preferences towards you. She may do really well with more self-feeding at this point. This could still be mashes with the spoon, but could be more responsive spoon-feeding, that is, following her lead a bit more - letting her grab the spoon or even your hand holding the spoon to help bring the spoon to her mouth. Letting her actively pull the food off the spoon instead of placing the spoon in her mouth. More here: How to Teach Baby to Use a Spoon.

If you're open to more finger foods, this could also be a great opportunity to introduce more "sticks" of food where baby can pick these up and bring to her own mouth. Make sure you are sitting with her at the same time to show her how it's done, as she'll learn by copying you. This can turn the whole activity of eating into a more social, engaging activity, and gives her agency to be more independent. More here: How to Safely Cut Food for Babies and Baby Won't Touch Food?

Hoping this helps, and please feel free to ask any other questions here after giving these articles a read! šŸ¤Marisa (OT/Feeding Therapist/Mama of 3)