Well, as of February 15th, Jane is 4 months old. We celebrated this milestone with a few bites of pablum in the evening. Now, before anyone suggest that we should wait until 6 months, I will retort that each baby develops differently. It was also done with the blessings of Jane's doctor.
Alice also started on food on her 4 month 'birthday' It seems that no matter how different my two girls seem from each other, they have developed pretty much bang on for some things. Including food readiness.
I had actually hoped to not introduce food to Jane until this magical 6 month number for one simple fact - other parents will always tell you your child is too young in today's age of 'wait for the magic number!' baby development. Babies are all different and therefore can't be held to an exact scientific timeline. Sure, there are some developmental milestones that really won't happen before a certain age - I don't expect to have a crawling 4 month old or a walk 6 month old. But things such as smiles, laughing, food readiness, and even language comprehension will be different for every baby.
For the past month, Jane has had a large interest in 'people food'. If we eat something while she is on our lap, she will try everything in her power to put it in her mouth. She'll also do this with my hair, but I'm pretty sure it's because she knows I don't let her touch my hair. She doesn't do this with any of her toys and it is a different oral fixation than when she chews on her hands (or mine, or Alice's)
She took to the pablum very well. She saw the spoon and opened wide. Most of it stayed in her mouth. Alice had a lot of fun telling Jane to open for the airplane - even though we laughed about how she has no idea what an airplane is. Mike had the camera out and Jane was sitting in her high chair perched on our floor. She seemed to enjoy this new way of eating...and loved the attention it brought her.
I had actually thought I would have more time to write this, but Jane is now up from her nap. I must be on my way.
