Does that site look familiar? Trying to get your baby to eat baby cereal but they're crying or spitting it out or turning their heads away? I cannot even tell you the number of times I have seen people ask "How do I get my baby to eat baby cereal (or other purees)?"
The answer? You don't.
In the first year, food is just for fun. Breastmilk is all your baby needs for their first year. It fulfill all their nutritional needs. They do not need rice cereal or any other solids. In fact, there are some sources that say you shouldn't even FEED your baby those infant cereals. They are worthless calories and offer no nutritional value to their diet. Regardless, it's just not necessary. So if your baby isn't digging the cereal, don't ask "How can I get my baby to eat it"...just stop giving it to them! The day WILL come when they eat solids, I promise.
Since we're on the topic, I really feel that the best way to feed your baby is with baby-led weaning or baby-led solids. And I'm not the only one. There are multiple organizations out there who are behind BLW. Wholesome Baby Foods says BLW is:
Baby Led Weaning means offering your baby (age appropriate) foods that are soft-cooked and cut or mashed into small easily manageable pieces. You may choose to offer your baby a large hunk of apple that she can easily hold and gnaw on or a bowl full of soft cooked mashed apples; the choice is yours. The foods are then given to your baby to eat without being pureed and without being spoonfed. You do the cooking, the dicing or mashing and the offering of the foods and your baby does the rest. It is important to note that your baby should be in control of what he is eating and you should never actually feed him by putting the foods into his mouth!
Why BLW? Well, for one, it's completely letting your baby control what they eat and how much they eat. For two, it's easier! When Olivia was a baby, I made all her baby food. And omg, what a total pain it was! I steamed all the food, mixed it, separated it, froze it into ice cube trays....etc etc. It took a lot of time. With Ella? I cut up some food off my plate, put it on her tray and let her dig in!! If we have Black Bean and Quinoa Tacos she'll have black beans, quinoa, cheese and avocado (all the stuff that goes into our tacos). BLW also gives them the opportunity to experience real textures and practice chewing. The general idea of BLW is that if they aren't able to handle the pieces of food, they aren't ready for food.
A lot of people are concerned that their baby isn't getting enough with BLW. Well, like I said (and like the experts say!) "food before one is just for fun!". Don't worry about their nutrients from their solids. During the first year, solid food shouldn't make up more then 25% of their diet. Breastmilk is all they need and solids are just a way for them to experience food.
Lastly, I tell you...baby led weaning...well, it's fun! It's cute! I LOVE watching Ella eat! it cracks me up! Today, she was eating steamed carrots and she was nomming them pretty hardcore. All of a sudden she bit her finger. She pulled her hand out of her mouth and looked at her finger (not crying) and I swear to God I could see the thought, " What the BLEEEEEEEEEEEP?? You're not a carrot!!" just fly through her head. She looked down, grabbed more carrot, and continued nomming on them. You wouldn't get that with purrees! :-)
For more information on baby-led weaning (solids) see:
Wholesome Baby Food
Tribal Baby
Kellymom article on offering solids
