SUPPER IS SERVED.

They say that introducing solid foods to your baby offers them no added nutritional value. It's more to teach them how to eat, how to chew and swallow, and how to process different flavors and textures of food. They recommend starting babies on solids anywhere between four to six months of age. Who they heck are they anyway? They would be the AAP, also known as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Now, I have never personally met anyone on this board, but figure they know a heck of a lot more about infant development than I do, and have the education to back it, so I tend to follow their guidelines the best I can.

They also say that 'breast is best'. No one needs to tell me twice that nursing my babies is good for them...that one is a no brainer to me. I've never had to weigh my options of formula feeding versus breast feeding. I've always known that 'breast is best' not only for them, but for me. It's a big commitment and doesn't always work out for everyone, but it has been a wonderful thing for my babies and I. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

That said, can you believe Brother is quickly approaching the six month mark?! Crazy, I know! I've always been one to err on the side of caution, so it's no surprise that I wanted to wait as long as I could to introduce solids. Why not? If it truly does not add to his nutritional value, I'd rather he get as much of Mama's milk as he can, for as long as possible. My goal was to not begin solids until six months with either of my babies. Nugget made it to five months, three weeks. Then she was ready, and truth be told, I was excited to try something new. Starting a week early didn't bother me. I had the same goal for brother, but boy, is he a hungry little hippo. He eats every three hours, sometimes stretching it to four or five at night. He was ready. He was showing all the signs that they say to look for...sitting up with support, showing an interest in our food (holy Hannah, did he sure swipe for our food!), has the right reflexes to swallow and not push the food back out, etc, etc. We made it to five months and two weeks, and knew it was silly to make him wait two more weeks just because. So, we took the leap, he LOVED it, and now there's no going back! It really hasn't made a difference yet in his sleeping or nursing patterns, but I wasn't expecting it to. They say it doesn't solve those problems. But we'll get there, and I'm fine with that too.

Following their recommendations, we have started with rice cereal once a day. It's going very well, and the little man seems to be a pro. It amazes me that he just knows exactly what to do. So, here we go. Bon appetite, Brother!

 The deliciousness. It really was runnier than it looks.

First bites.

Hmm, that was good. I wonder what this tastes like?

Success. And hardly a mess!