Milk is good, but it’s time for Heron to start eating food like the rest of us! We waited for the signs: interest in what we’re eating, sitting unsupported, “pincer grasp” (though he hasn’t perfected that one, he still technically does it.) With Rhino, we adhered to the Baby Led Weaning philosophy, but we’re a bit more lax this time around. We’re on WIC and are allowed SO much baby food, so I thought we might as well get some and use it.

Often times people start out with breast milk / rice cereal, we decide to go the veggie/fruit route. I started Heron out with pears, and he was not impressed. He’d pucker at the taste, and once I did get a small spoonful in his mouth, he made himself sick. I don’t think his gag reflex is quite ready. Rhino was begging the whole time for Heron’s pears, so I let him finish off what Heron didn’t touch.

We tried again a few days later with more baby food, this time: peas. His reaction was about the same and he wasn’t too pleased about it. Later in the day, Rhino was eating Cheerios on the floor next to Heron. Heron managed to pick one up from the floor and try to eat it. More gagging and spitting up. He’s not ready for Cheerios yet, anyway!

The other day, we tried well-cooked carrots, cut into small, pinch-able pieces. Heron liked playing with all the little orange chunks and tried to maneuver the slippery pieces to his mouth. He did finally get a bit in his mouth, which he manipulated for quite a while. Eventually he swallowed it, but I’m not sure how much he mashed it up before it went down. I think overall, he needs a little more time before food is a regular thing for him. We’ll keep working on it!