fruit or veggies first?

Herna - posted on 05/11/2010

Hello Everyone,

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Racquel - posted on 05/11/2010

LOL! Too funny Jualie

Jualie - posted on 05/11/2010

Ok..so I didn't read all the post before I posted. What in the world??? How funny! I have a 22 year old son and when he was little and constipated I was told to put a little karo syrup in his bottle...which they tell you now NOT to do that. We also gave bottles of water to newborns which they don't do now either. Things have definitely changed! When my 22 year old was born...they didn't offer "organic" baby food in the stores...they do now though. I've had doctors to tell me to wait until my son is 6 months to feed him baby food and then doctors to say that if he's doing fine with it...then it really is no problem. In my opinion..if you're baby doesn't like it and is spitting it out and fussing the whole time you're trying to feed them...then yeah...you might want to wait a bit to try again. But that's just my non-educated Mom before now...opinion. :)))

Jualie - posted on 05/11/2010

I've been feeding bananas with cereal for a while now. My son will be 5 months on the 17th. I started veggies about 3 days ago though he believe it or not...he likes them better than the fruits. He loves squash! He will actually open his little mouth and go after it! LOL I think it's up to the baby to decide what they like and doesn't always matter if you start with fruit or veggies.

Stephanie - posted on 05/11/2010

I couldn't agree more Racquel. More to the point I just finished feeding my daughter squash for the first time. She loved it! This is her second veggie. I'm trying to decide if I should try another veggie in a few days or try a fruit.

Racquel - posted on 05/11/2010

OMG! I just read the previous posts. Hilarious. We were just all insulted by saying these posts are ridiculous. People take these sites way too personally. I appreciate all the opinions given by all these wonderful parents. The fact that a parent takes the time out of, what I'm sure is a busy schedule, to post and read others questions/concerns and then to respond as to what has helped them or worked for them.....well kudos to those parents. That alone shows how good of a parent they are trying to be. What works for one doesn't work for all, but that's not to say that anyone's opinions or ideas are wrong. Realize that the same doctor will give different advice to his patients based on the child, family history and many other factors. On these information exchange sites, RESPECT is the key. If you don't agree or don't like someone's opinion, be respectful, keep it to yourself, give your opinion and leave it that.

Stephanie - posted on 05/11/2010

oh, I'm so scared. I have done nothing wrong except disagree with your opinion. As as said before why do you keep posting on this conversation if you feel so threatened. You are harrassing me by continuing to write responses when you clearly have nothing more to say about the topic under discussion on this converstation strream!

Racquel - posted on 05/11/2010

I don't think it matters. They are exploring at this age and will accept most tastes. I did bananas first, then green beans, zucchini, carrots and sweet potatoes. He can only have one serving per meal (along with his formula) so once I made sure he wasn't allergic to any of them, I switch it up. One day the banana or sweet potato and the next day one of the veggies. If you have a picky eater on your hands, no matter which you introduce first, they will still be picky.

Kate - posted on 05/11/2010

you need to look up the def of harassment. B/c you have crossed that line and have been reported on two counts Keep it up and I will take legal action and not just report you to the site admin. LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!! You clearly need help that goes beyond fruits and veggies

Stephanie - posted on 05/10/2010

Your going to report me? I haven't attacked you. I think you have again missed the point. This was my question, your opinion clearly isn't wanted so why do you keep giving it? Maybe I should report you for calling me "nasty"! If you want to be left alone stop posting on this conversation stream.

Kate - posted on 05/10/2010

You asked for the advice and are attacking me just because I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. In my opinion you are nasty and I am basing my opinion on the posts you directed to me. I will be forced to report you if you don't leave me alone. I didn't ask you ANYTHING, you asked us. I don't care what you have to say. Thanks

Stephanie - posted on 05/10/2010

I'm not sure what words you think I'm putting in your mouth. Every thing you said is there to be read. Your right I don't get you. This is supposed to be a supportive forum and your obviously missing the point. The only person who seems to need to get a life is you.

Kate - posted on 05/10/2010

Ummm. that's not at all what i said. so don't put words in my mouth. you just don't get it..... get a life

Stephanie - posted on 05/10/2010

No, it was to Kate the post before yours!

Jeanette - posted on 05/10/2010

i assume that wasnt to me right?

Stephanie - posted on 05/10/2010

If these posts are so ridiculous to you then don't post any more. If you think you are so educated and know all the answers then this isn't the forum for you anyway. I don't appreciate being told that the food guidlines haven't changed when I clearly have books and pamphlets from my older daughter that shows me otherwise. Maybe they have changed and back again from when you had your older daughter and/or when you were a child. I'm glad you think so highly of YOUR doctor's opinion but it doesn't mean MY doctor's is any less valuable. Whose to say your doctor is right and mine is wrong? I know you think you very educated and speaking from experience, but plenty of other people including myself are educated too. Your ideas/opinions are just that - your ideas and opinions.

Jeanette - posted on 05/10/2010

the first food we started our daughter on was avacado..she loves it, then cereal not so keen...the pumpkin....i know give her tea every night we first made pumpkin, sweet potato, zukini, baby carrot puree...this week its pumpkin, sweet potato, zukini & cous cous puree she loves it...she is slowly getting better with the cereal...yesterday i got her a quick lunch to try which was banana, blueberry & apple puree she loves it... id say try what u want but i think butternut pumpkin is a good start :)

Kate - posted on 05/10/2010

I understand what you are saying. Just to let you in on the know. My oldest just turned 17yrs and the food guidelines were the same with him they have not changed every few years, don't know where you heard that. These were also the FDA guidelines when I was a child. I agree the way food is made had changed for the worse not the better, and baby food is included. Even the organic is made in the same factory as the non-organic. Just b/c someone graduates medical school doesn't mean they were at the top of their class or even considered "ranked" there are way too many doctor's out there who shouldn't be practicing. Example.... our doctor's would NEVER okay giving cough/cold medicine to help a child sleep if the child doesn't have symptoms that require use of the medicine. But it is considered "normal practice" these days for a doctor to okay this, which is dangerous for the children and they can't speak up for themselves. Which is why the pharm companies have to be responsible to recall meds when in the past it would not. I know this first hand, since my MIL runs Mercks PR and they have been told that they have to parent now, since parents think this is a safe practice. So you can guess at these things or interview for a ped that is in the know and not what it easy/popular. I am speaking from experience and giving educated advice, not just handing out random preferences. These posts are ridiculous (in my opinion).

Kate - posted on 05/10/2010

I understand what you are saying. Just to let you in on the know. My oldest just turned 17yrs and the food guidelines were the same with him. Just b/c someone graduates medical school doesn't mean they were at the top of their class or even considered "ranked" there are way too many doctor's out there who shouldn't be practicing. Example.... our doctor's would NEVER okay giving cough/cold medicine to help a child sleep if the child doesn't have symptoms that require use of the medicine. But it is considered "normal practice" these days for a doctor to okay this, which is dangerous for the children and they can't speak up for themselves. Which is why the pharam companies have to be responsible to recall meds when in the past it would not. I know this first hand, since my MIL runs Mercks PR and they have been told that they have to parent now, since parents think this is a safe practice. So you can guess at these things or interview for a ped that is in the know and not what it easy/popular. I am speaking from experience and giving educated advice, not just handing out random preferences. These posts are ridiculous (in my opinion).

Buhle - posted on 05/10/2010

I have a 3.5 yr old daughter and a 5 month old boy and based on advice from my ped I waited until she was 6 months before starting her on solids and I plan to do the same with him unless he starts waking up more demanding more feeds. My family has no allergies but my ped says to play it safe if I want to as some kids develop tummy complications later on in life like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation due to their gastro systems not being fully developed. I decided to play it safe based on these reasons. We are all doing the best we can for our kids, let's try and not 'shoot it other down' on this forum.

Stephanie - posted on 05/08/2010

Thanks you to all the ladies who have written such supportive comments. My daughter has now eaten peas for 2 days and seems to like them more each time. I am giving them to her for breakfast and dinner, along with the cereal she was previously introduced to.

Ashleigh - posted on 05/08/2010

My doctor told us to start with the green vegetables because they're easier to digest and he said to stay away from bananas for a little while because they may make her constipated....we haven't had any problems yet she isn't allergic to anything yet and she's only 4 months old...my pediatrician advised us to give her barley cereal at just 2 months old instead of suppositories when she was constipated and that worked out awesome for us as well....I don't understand what all the fuss with age is about.....it's not like I'm feeding my daughter chocolate and 2% milk or anything!

Ashleigh - posted on 05/08/2010

I started my daughter on Carrots as well and she loved them the next day I also tried green beans and the same thing happened she hated them so the following day i put a little green bean on a spoon then topped it off with carrots...I dad that for a few day less carrot each time and now she will eat the green beans no problem!

Hannah - posted on 05/08/2010

Thats why i started my son early, My mother started me at 2 mo and i have no allergies to anything- including meds... She said there wasnt guidlines like there are today, and we were growinng like weeds. I dont see a problem with it- but if you do than don't start your kids early- Mother knows best!

Mayra - posted on 05/08/2010

Thanks for posting that steph reply to those that are stating that we are endengaring our kids life by feeding them early, my doctor as well approved me feeding her at 5mths i waited till i saw her develop and interest in food. Then we decided to go ahead and start feeding her. I guess people forget that back in the day it was fine to feed kids early my mom did it and i have no allergies and are healthy. So here is to us moms who rebel against standards!!!!lol

Jesica - posted on 05/07/2010

im a nutricionist and obviously we recommend starting with cereals until your child is 6 month old, to prevent allergies
and to let the gastrointestinal system to mature
start with one veggie or fruit at a time there u can see if your child is allergic to
hope this comment is helpful

Angie - posted on 05/07/2010

I usually start with veggies first to get them used to the flavor before I move on to fruits. My daughter has been introduced to all three cereals and will be starting veggies and fruits at 5 months. She really likes the cereal, so I hope the veggies and fruits go well!

Nicole - posted on 05/07/2010

i would definitly sdtart with veges first. i started fruit first now my baby wont eat veges

Angela - posted on 05/07/2010

@ stephanie i agree 100%,
i know people who gave there babies cereal as soon as the baby came from the hospital....

Stephanie - posted on 05/07/2010

I just read back a few posts.To answer some of you who are questioning why I'm feeding my 5 month old cereal and starting veggies already - yes my doctor said it was OK. I realize a lot of the newest stuff out says to wait until 6 months, however my doctor said that if there are no allergies in the family starting earlier is fine. I have an older daughter, when she was a baby everything said start at 4 months. A lot of these things change every few years due to a new study. When I ask my mom's generation a lot of them feed their babies cereal even before 4 months. There was no epidemic of allergies then. I personally thing the large number of allergies have a lot more to do with environmental factors like additives in foods etc. I understand that some people might watn to wait longer to feed their kids, but don't make it sound like the rest of us are risking our childrens lives!

Angela - posted on 05/07/2010

My daughter turned 5 mo on may 6 and her doctor said to give her veggies first cause the fruits are really sweet and she might not want and veggies when i try to to give it to her to me that makes more sense..

Stephanie - posted on 05/07/2010

I tried peas today. She liked them OK at first, but then started spitting them out a little bit near the end. I fed her some cereal to see if she was just full and she ate it up quickly. I wonder if it is just becasue the peas are such a new taste. I'll try them again at dinner and see.

Mona - posted on 05/07/2010

I would try veggies first thats what im going to do with my lil boy first do the veggies

Christina - posted on 05/07/2010

I started with bananas but every four days I switch around (to veggie then fruit again ) been doing it for a month and she likes everything I have given her so I am lucky =)

Angel - posted on 05/06/2010

I've always been told you start with veggies and wait as long as you can before you introduce the sweet stuff so that your child will learn to like veggies and so it sticks with them as they get older.

Lennie - posted on 05/06/2010

I agree with Kate W. My daughter was born December 2nd and she is not on cereal yet! She will start cereal on June 2nd!

Mayra - posted on 05/06/2010

I recently started feeding my five month hold as well, i never heard about the fruts or veggies thing, i started with fruits peaches, than bananas and pears and apples. i also mixed in veggies such as carrots and sweet potatoes, she seems to like both i found that giving her the fruit ones as a snack bw meals was good and then the veggies for dinner and some bananas as dessert seems to work great she doesnt mind it and i think it will help her have a distinction on what we eat for dinner and snack time will be good for her!

Kate - posted on 05/06/2010

Why are you starting food so early? After reading other replies, I don't understand why so many doctors would rec starting food so early. Foods can cause allergies and other health problems if they are given too early in life and certain things shouldn't be until after they turn 1yr. Our peds are 3 Children's Hospital Surgeons and treat the sickest of kids. Their guidelines are: 6mo cereal. 9mo solids. Start with veggies. One food at a time. Give the new food for long enough to know that it is not causing eczema or an internal allergy, then you introduce a new food which can be fruit and then alternate. Stay away from berries they can cause severe life long allergies, like peanuts and dairy. They get introduced after 1yr and 2yrs if there is a family history of allergies, when the childs system is more mature. Reading these posts and learning that parents are being told to give children under 6mo cereal/9mo food blows my mind and I'm starting to wonder if this could be why food allergies are on the rise. Wow. Not my kids. Not worth the risk.

Bethany - posted on 05/06/2010

My mother in law says its best to start with the yellow/orange veggies. Then move on to the green veggies, then fruits. I think the yellow/orange veggies are supposed to be a little easier on their little bellies.

Sarah - posted on 05/06/2010

I have been advised to encourage vegies as they are not sweet and to try something new each day..With fruit being sweeter they say to try vegies first as you want you little one to like things that are not sweet and you could have problems later in life with them only liking sweet things

Shannon - posted on 05/06/2010

i skipped the cereals altogether and alternate both fruit and veges every couple of days.

Krista - posted on 05/05/2010

do veggies first, its easier to get them to eat veggies if you give it to them before fruit. make it yourself. super easy, cheaper and you control what goes into it :) good luck!

Valerie - posted on 05/05/2010

If I remember correctly, I think that it doesn't matter which they start with, because they will like what they like. I gave my son bananas but he didn't really like them and I was surprised! lol I am going to try and give him some carrots or something similar next.

Hannah - posted on 05/05/2010

I started mine at 10 weeks on the rice cereal... hes seems to be doing fine since... were just doing vegetables right now, but i make mine myself.

Catherine - posted on 05/05/2010

Wow, we only just tried rice cereal for the first time last night. But then again my babies r the youngest of the December birthdays being born on the 31st. I'm not even thinking about real food yet.

Terri - posted on 05/05/2010

My sons doctor told us DEFINATELY veggies first, then fruit. He also said four days of each food in a row (i.e. four straight days of carrots only, then 4 straight days of green beans only). Just in case he's allergic to something, we can easily identify what he last ate. Tomorrow is his 4th day of carrots, then on to green beans. He's LOVING the carrots by the way!

Rachelle - posted on 05/05/2010

the canadian food guide for babies now says to start them on meats first and that the cerals are really not important.... so in all honesty i'm beginging to think it doesn't matter each baby is different so go with what you think you should i'm going with green veggis then to orange first (well after the cerals) good luck an you decison



i just read down the list... stephanie you asked why she was told meats first it because of newer research they say babies need protein earlier on then what was prevously believed...i'm just sticking with what my parents did with me it worked 20 years ago and we're all fine whats wrong with doing it now?

Hannah - posted on 05/05/2010

I've started my son on rice and oatmeal adding veggies first because my mom said it wouldn't make them picky about veggies when they get older...lol My son did great with carrots, squash and sweetpotato... but he didnt like peas.... lol

Frederique - posted on 05/05/2010

I am following the advice of the French Pediatric Academy as it's a lot less hassle and complication. The book says:
Starting at 4 months eventually and 6 months definitely:
Veggies- Any, smooth puree
Fruit- Any, smooth puree
Meats- Up to 1-2 teaspoon, any, smooth puree, avoid cured or salted meats
Yogurt- Plain
Egg- 1/4 egg
Starting at 6 months and depending on mastication abilities, little chunks can be introduced, meat and egg amounts can be increased.
Easy and not restrictive!
So far, my daughter- who has not beed introduced to cereals- has had: avocado (she doesn't care for it much), baked apple (loves it!), fresh and cooked pear (loves it too), green beans (OK), eggs (definitely likes it a lot as slong as it's very smooth), yogurt (a big hit but it may be a bit hard on her stomach as she is cranky afterwards; I'll try again later), bananas (a favourite), artichoke heart (you should see the frown! But she eats it)... Today, there will be some sweet potatoes...
So far, no major issue but we are taking it easy: if she's not in the mood, I don't insist for very long.
Good luck and keep it fun! (Oh the cute messes!)

Julie - posted on 05/05/2010

Veggies first. green veggies and then the orange veggies. give the same veggie 3 days in a row before you switch to a new veggie. then finally fruits.

my pediatrician recommended this. We started with green beans and now are on peas. He is learning to love them.