Confused about starting solids

I'm sure there is already a post covering this but I can't seem to find it. My DD is nearly 5 months and we are starting think about starting solids. I am getting a little confused as the info I read is pretty mixed. The main things I don't understand are that I need to start solids if DD is getting hungry ... is one teaspoon of pear really going to make a difference!? Also that her iron levels will be getting low. What iron rich foods can I start her on as I have been told to introduce all the fruit and vege first, one every 3-5 days so it's going to be ages before she has meat!?! She also can't sit up yet so how do I put her in the highchair?

Any tips or advice on starting solids would be much appreciated!

Yep it totally is confusing- bm definatly has more iron that is readily absorbed than fuit and veges!
Totally agree with caliandjack about offering her milk if she hungry.
Being able to sit upaided is a good guage as to baby's body's readiness for solids- we dont eat lying down, so her digestive system will be mature enough to handle food once she can sit up and get the food into her mouth herself!

Jacob wasn't ready to start solids till he was older than six months. He just didn't show interest or look hungry, so I figured there was no need to hurry him. She'll get everything she needs from breastmilk for now.

Plenty of babies grow up without rice cereal, so don't use it if you'd rather not!! Jacob ate it, but I don't think he would have turned out any different if he hadn't.

They sugggest starting solids after a feed, so they're still filling up on milk, which is the most important at this point.

Food is for fune, before they are 1 - good thing to keep in mind so u dont start to stress that they arent having enough solids- its all about learning the skills of eating and experiencing with textures, tastes etc.

I fed #1 solids int he "usual" way starting with baby rice, homemade puress etc,...and did BLW with #2. I would totally recommend looking into it- takes so much of the stress and planning out of feeding baby,..they eat the ammount they want by themselves at your meal times with you, the same food u are eating, and continue to be bf as normal.

And, um... we started with kumera and I don't recommend it! Cue one constipated baby and no poo for a looooong time.

Do you have the Thriving under 5 book from Plunket there is a pull out chart in there which gives you a rough guide its from watties so very slanted towards jarred food.

If you are looking for a great book I highly recommend the River Cottage Baby and Toddler Cookbook it covers both BLW and purees and what to give when and everything you need to know about starting solids through to feeding toddlers. I it.