The past month has been such a special chapter in my motherhood journey: we started introducing solid food to my little girl, and what a journey it has already been! At just 7 months old, she has begun exploring flavors, textures, and her own tiny routines around eating. For her, every bite is an experiment--a playful, sensory adventure. for me, it is a mix of pride, excitement, and sometimes even longing, because I don't always get to be there for every meal; those tender emotions only a mother can feel.
During the week, my husband and I are at work, so her nanny takes care of most of her meals. we prepare her meals carefully at night after work--boiling, mashing, keeping everything simple and gentle for her small tummy--and in the morning, we give her nanny clear instructions on what to feed her and when. Even tough we are away, a part of us is always with her through the meals. But the highlight of our weekdays is always her afternoon snack, when one of us come home and give her fresh fruit. That little ritual of feeding her ourselves feels like reclaiming our place after hours apart; a reunion ritual between us.
On weekends, however, everything changes. Feeding her becomes our time--my favorite part of the day. I sit with her in the morning and give her breakfast. later, I prepare lunch that includes protein with vegetables; but the joy on her face as she eats them fills me with happiness I never knew existed, and what excites me most is seeing her finish everything I've prepared. Sometimes she eats properly in her high chair, but often she eats better while playing with her toys--distracted, yet happily munching away. It's messy and imperfect, but those are the moments I treasure most.
Discovering What Works for Us
When you start solids, you quickly realize that there isn't a single "right"way to do it. Some parents go with spoon-fed purees, others try baby-led weaning (BLW), where babies feed themselves with their fingers. We've mostly taken the puree route, but I also let her explore textures with soft finger foods when I feel she's ready. Experts say both methods have their pros and cons--purees may feel less messy, while BLW encourages independence and exploration. for us, it's been about finding a balance that keeps her curious and keeps me calm and patient.
Current recommendations suggest starting solids around six months, once babies show signs of readiness. Looking back, I realize my daughter was ready before I was: she could sit with support, had good head control, grabbed at objects, and stared with such curiosity whenever we ate. My hesitation was more about safety--what if she chocked, what about allergies? Like many first-time mothers, I found myself googling at midnight, worrying about every possibility.
What reassured me was learning the difference between gagging and chocking, knowing how to respond in an emergency, and reading about food allergies. Statistics show that while allergies can happen, they are not overly common. Still, we introduced new foods slowly, especially those considered allergenic like eggs, peanuts, or yogurt, always watching for reactions. Experts suggest not delaying these foods too long--early introduction can even reduce the risk of allergies later on. That knowledge gave us confidence to keep going.
Our Everyday Routine
At this stage, my daughter's meals are simple but nourishing. In the morning, she has yogurt with oats--creamy and gentle on her little stomach. For Lunch, I prepare chicken or meat with vegetables, almost always including carrots and sweet potatoes because she adores them. In the afternoon, I give her fruit, often mixing two kinds for variety--avocado with mango, her favorite, kiwi, strawberry and peach, apple with peach.
Everything is boiled and mashed, no salt, no sugar, no spices. It amazes me how much she enjoys these plain flavors; the ones adults often overlook. And yet, I can't help but dream of the day she will sit with us at the table, eating the same food we eat, at least not mashed; food she can easily chew with her teeth.
For now, though, this is our rhythm. On busy weekdays, i take comfort in knowing I've prepared her meals with love. On weekends, I cherish every spoonful I feed her myself. When we go out to restaurants, I always make sure I feed her beforehand at home, since her meals still need warming and care. If she's hungrier than usual, I supplement with bottled milk. Slowly, we're finding the balance between milk and solids, between routines and flexibility.
The Emotional Side of Feeding
Feeding my daughter is not just about nutrition; it is about connection. When she eats everything I've prepared, I feel proud, almost accomplished, like we've reached a small milestone together. When she refuses, I remind myself of something I read: it can take many tries before a baby accepts a new food; so, I try again the next day, with patience and hope. I never force her to eat, I always feed her when she wants, on her own timing, not mine.
As a working mother, what makes weekends so special is the uninterrupted time I get to spend feeding her. During the week, I miss those moments. Preparing her food feels like an act of love, but nothing compares to seeing her eyes light up when I hold the spoon. Feeding her is messy, time-consuming, and sometimes even exhausting, but it is also deeply rewarding.
When I feed my daughter, I give her my full attention. I put my phone aside, switch off from every distraction, and focus only on her. It's our moment--just the two of us, with nothing pulling me away. Those quiet minutes of eye contact, little smiles, and shared presence mean more to me than anything else.
Looking Ahead
This phase--the mashed carrots, the tiny spoons, the yogurt-smeared smiles--won't last forever. But I can't help dreaming of the day she will join us on every meal, eating the same food we eat, tasting new spices, developing her own preferences and even enjoying little treats like ice cream. That feels like such a milestone waiting to happen. One day, i'll look back at these early days with nostalgia, remembering the joy I felt when she opened her mouth wide for just one more spoonful.
For now, I choose to savor it all: the preparation, the anticipation, the mess, the laughter, the nervousness, and the pride. Starting solids has been more than just a step in her growth; it has been a journey for me too--one of learning, adapting, and finding joy in the smallest of moments.
Motherhood is full of phases that feel ordinary but are, in truth, extraordinary. And this, right here--watching my baby discover food for the first time--is one of the sweetest phases of all.
My Top Lessons from Starting Solids
As much as this journey has been emotional for me, I've also learned a lot along the way. If you're a new mom about to begin solids with your little one, here are a few lessons from my own experience:
- Look for signs of readiness, not the calendar.
Experts say most babies are ready around six months, but what matters is your baby's development. Sitting up with support, good head control, reaching for food, and showing interest in what you're eating are all signs they may be ready. My daughter ticked all these boxes, and that's when I knew it was time.
- Keep it simple--and safe.
For now, my daughter eats plain, boiled, and mashed food with no salt, no sugar, no spices. It may seem bland to us, but it's perfect for her little system. And I always remind myself about choking hazards--avoiding whole grapes, nuts, raw apples, or anything too hard or chewy.
- Introduce variety, but don't stress about rejections.
Babies can need multiple exposures before liking a food. If your little one spits out broccoli or makes a funny face at peaches, don't give up--keep offering it gently over time. my daughter rejected some fruits at first, but loved them later when I mixed them with others.
- Balance milk and solids.
At this stage, breast milk or formula is still their main source of nutrition. Solids are about exploration and complementing, not replacing, milk. I will offer bottled milk if she seems hungrier after a meal, and I know that this balance will shift over time.
- Enjoy the mess--it's part of the journey.
Sometimes my daughter eats better when she's distracted with toys, sometimes she smears yogurt all over her face, sometimes more food ends up on the floor than in her mouth. I've learned to laugh, take photos, and remember that these messy, chaotic meals are also memories in the making.
- Trust yourself and your baby.
There's so much advice out there, and it can be overwhelming. What I've learned is that no single method (purees vs. baby-led weaning, one food at a time vs. mixing) is universally "right". What matters is what works for your family. Trust your baby's cues and your instincts as a mom--they's usually spot on.
Final Thoughts
Motherhood is full of these phases--moments that feel so ordinary but are, in reality, deeply precious. Feeding my daughter solids has been one of the most joyful phases of motherhood so far, as it is more than just giving her food; it's about sharing love, care, and the joy of seeing her grow. Whether it's her delighted smile when she tastes sweet potato, or the way she plays with her spoon before actually eating, these moments remind me that feeding is so much more than a meal, it's a memory--a connection built bite by bite.
I know one day she'll be sitting at the table with us, dipping into new flavors and family traditions. Until then, I'm soaking in every spoonful, every giggle, every little bite that makes her eyes illuminate and every bit of mashed fruit on her cheeks. Because this stage is fleeting, but the memories it brings are forever.
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