Guest Post – Six months, food, and my baby.

What did you hear about the 6-month mark?

You've probably heard that you are going to be free from your baby; they would finally start eating food and leave your breast alone. You probably thought your baby was going to eat everything in sight just because they've been dragging your plate of rice with you.

Now your baby is finally six months or seven months, and they are not eating anything, plus they haven’t left your breast alone. All your expectations have been cut short, so you’ve probably been spending your days on Google searching for what is not lost until you landed here in this article.

Hello, my name is Ore, and I am a mom of two amazing boys. So I promise you can trust me as I take you through the 101 of introducing solids to your little one.

For a few of us moms, our babies take everything we offer them and gobble it up, but if you are like most moms out there, you are getting tired and frustrated because you can’t seem to figure out what your little one likes.

It’s easy to feel like you are the only one whose child isn’t eating well but trust me – you are not alone. I know this for a fact because there won’t be so much data in favor of you if it wasn't a problem for others as well.

So don’t feel alone if, after you have slaved away preparing a meal, your baby looks at you and the plate and treats it like cat poo.

Let these few facts be a source of encouragement from me to you;

1. Breastmilk is still the major source of nutrition till about 8 to 9 months; it’s called introduction to solids, not weaning. If you really want your breasts to be free, you should buy formula because, trust me, rice isn’t going to cut it. From 6 months, your baby is only allowed 2 to 3 tablespoons of food to be increased with each passing month. This is because being introduced to solids isn’t only about eating; it’s also about developing the muscles of the jaw, developing healthy eating habits, and easing them into experiencing the beauty of food. Trust me, they have no memory of sweet jollof rice, so don’t be offended if they aren’t fazed by it.

2. It takes 15 non-consecutive tries to get a child to like any food. I want you to look at this statement, 15 is a big number, plus there is a reason it’s non-consecutive. It means you can give a little space, but you never completely forsake a food simply because they don’t like it.

3. Baby food doesn’t equal baby cereal. I know you think your shopping cart should be filled with packed baby food or pap(for my African people), but it’s a complete farce. Baby food is adult food prepared for babies. Starting your baby on the actual taste, texture, and color of whole foods sets them up for healthy eating habits. Besides, it’s easier to get bored with the same packaged baby food than it is with natural food, and you know why.

4. Imagine one food in ten different ways. When introducing solids, it’s better to hope that your baby will like a particular food and expect that they won’t. That way, you won’t be shattered if they don’t. And you know what, a rejection doesn’t always mean, ‘I hate this food’ – sometimes, it means, ‘I don’t like how you present this food’. So if they don’t like fried potatoes, they may like them boiled, grilled, mashed, or baked. When it comes to being creative with the different ways we present food, we need to take note of consistency, color, taste, and palette. For every child, there is a way they love to have their meals. When introducing solids, you offer choices and note reactions to learn more about your child.

5. Your baby not liking or accepting a meal has nothing to do with you. It’s easy to assume you are a horrible mother because your child isn't eating things that you see other children eat. But this attachment increases the pressure that increases tension your baby can feel and see, which leads to them mirroring those feelings. You are an amazing mother, and your worth as a mom isn’t attached to your child not accepting any meal. I know it can be discouraging, so take a deep breath, objectively analyze the situation and try again. I am rooting for you.

6. Have a plan and be consistent. Consistency doesn’t always mean 100. It can be 80 or even 70. So, figure out the dos and don’ts, create a plan, and be consistent with it.

7. Ask for help, leverage on communities – that’s the best way to help your sanity. It will help you realize you aren’t alone. You can follow me on Instagram @oredola_kayode. I have a meal plan and recipe book that will be of amazing help. I am also currently working on a book that will guide you with everything you need to know about introducing solids. Stay tuned so you don’t miss it when it’s out.

There is light at the end of every tunnel, and in this journey of motherhood, introducing solids is one of the many tunnels. But trust me, you’ll see the light soon.

Keep making healthy homemade meals; you’ve got this.

Once again, I am rooting for you!