Food before one is not just for fun

Feeding Forum
41

I think you’re missing the point of that phrase

Because yes there are plenty of benefits of giving solids before 1, but so many parents go crazy because they don’t think their infant is eating enough when developmentally they are still dependent on milk for their nutrition

“Foods before one are just for fun” is to help parents put the pressure off themselves and their baby when it comes to exploring solids. Stressing over it actually makes it harder for babies to explore solids

42

@Sparrow
No I mean I definitely get the point of the phrase and I agree with it to an extent. I’m speaking about when it gets taken to the extreme.

43

@Sparrow
While we should not be stressing out if our infants are not good eaters, the phrase is simply inaccurate. Food before one isn’t just for fun. They needed to come up with a different phrase or work on simply educating parents that some babies don’t eat very many solids in the first year and that’s okay.

My pediatrician said that my baby depends on solids for some of his nutrition. It’s not actually safe to only give them milk after 6 months.

44

And the iron! They need iron. This is the thing I rarely hear mentioned but it’s so important.

45

I think they just mean they are not getting their main source of nutrients and calories from food before 1…

46

Sage said:
I think they just mean they are not getting their main source of nutrients and calories from food before 1…

That’s definitely what they mean. Some parents take it way out of context and don’t introduce or barely introduce their children to real food before one though

47

My son decided at 7.5-8 months old that he was going to be insanely cranky without a couple daily helpings of food/snacks. It’s definitely not just for fun, I just never thought of it because I thought he couldn’t possibly need more than milk. A doctor even told me this “food before one…” BS.

48

Completely agree! “Just for fun” really oversimplifies it. Early feeding can be so important for allergies, growth, and all those new textures and nutrients. I swear, with the right tools—like my trusty Momcozy—it’s actually been manageable and even enjoyable. Nice to see someone else who gets the importance!