If solids are started around the 6 month mark, there is no need for parents to spoon it in at all. A truly developmentally ready child will be able to grab a grain of rice, a pea, a mini rice cake, whatever, and get it into his/her own mouth. This way the child learns fine motor skills, and gets small amounts initially, which I beleive is appropriate, as solids decrease the amount of breastmilk consumed, calorie for calorie. Oatmeal and apple sauce are edible with fingers by the dip and lick method as well! Messy, but satisfying! Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC