One of our problems in infant feeding is "isolated eating".(Not unlike isolated sleeping.) Eating is supposed to be a social experience. Companion means "with bread." We can all picture the baby in a high chair being the only one eating, often eating something other family members wouldn't touch. If we see the baby's eating as a part of the family experience, she may feed at the breast before the meal, then sit at the table with the family tasting some of the common foods, and have a bit of breastmilk afterwards, or even during, (Right?) My doctor's program of solids was to begin after the baby can sit alone. Then, he said, the entire digestive track changes (along with swallowing changes) to accomodate foods other than breastmilk. He also recommended that the baby feed herself, as the rest of the family does. A little nibble of this and a bit of that which the baby can pick up will not displace much breastmilk. Of course, not all babies are ready for solids as early as that, but if left to their own feeding they will eat when they are ready. I believe that even a first-time mom can feel comfortable with this approach if we teach that the baby is part of the family and that eating is one of our connecting experiences. Patricia Gima, IBCLC Milwaukee mailto:[log in to unmask]