how do you start solids with MSPI baby?

Once we decided to start solids I used Dr. Sears’ least allergenic foods list to help decide our order of introduction:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T041800.asp#T041805

We started w/ pears, but then Evan reacted to them (ugh). Then, went to squash (success!). Then, apples (success). Then, carrots, then chicken (b/c he was 9 mths old w/o a protein & borderline anemic)- both successes. Then, prunes (failed). Then, oatmeal (failed). Then, sweet potatoes, peas & white potatoes – all success. That’s where we are now.

Also, we use digestive enzyme (see my info below re: enzymes).

Finally, I keep a detailed log (more detailed than usual) for the intro days. I intro the new food @ lunch of Day 1, then also for dinner. I log his night sleep, nap lengths, diaper consistency & skin reactions for 4-5 days (while giving the new food for lunch & dinner each day). If everything remained consistent/fine for those days then it’s deemed a ‘success’!

On the flipside, where there IS a reaction, the eczema is a pain . I’ll try to find the link to what works for us w/ eczema…

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12170&KW=vanicream

Also, I HAVE found (similar to what you noticed) that when Evan ends up being sensitive/intolerant to a food he actually starts refusing it on day 1… but since I don’t see the reaction until usually late day 2 or day 3 I’m still giving it to him. So, it seems like he notices that his body doesn’t like it before the physical signs appear. I think it’s so interesting.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES:

Here are the digestive enzymes. I take 2-3 with each meal & snack (to try & break down the proteins that I eat so they enter my breastmilk broken down). I also mix 1/2 capsule w/ each pureed “meal” Evan gets (2x/day). http://wholesalesupplementstore.com/complete-gest.html

I can’t say for sure if they do anything when I take them, but they DEFINITELY help Evan w/ solids.

Anyway, I give Evan 1/2 a capsule mixed in w/ pureed foods w/ each meal. The key is to mix it w/ a small amount so you KNOW he eats the food that the enzyme is mixed in (if that makes sense). Also, if you heat you have to mix enzyme after heating. The key is to give the enzyme @ the beginning of the meal (really, you’re supposed to give 20-30min before eating to be most effective but since it tastes AWFUL by itself this doesn’t ever happen… I take it pre-meal though for myself).

Now that Evan is eating more & more finger foods (very limited diet of 6 or so foods but have been able to find quite a few finger food options) I usually just put a bit of pureed apples in a little cup & mix the enzyme in that to make sure he’s getting it.

Here is a link that has other options as well… mixing w/ applejuice, etc. I don’t do that since apple juice can flare reflux but it’s something to keep in mind for the future.

http://www.enzymestuff.com/discussionmixing.htm

HTH!

erinntx2009-04-21 00:20:20