Solids and 8mnth olds is it okay?

Wendy - posted on 11/05/2009

I don't feel that parents should go by your baby's age to determine what they should be eating. It depends on where your child is developmentally and what the pedi thinks. Ultimitely it's up to your baby. She will let you know what she's ready for.

Hanna - posted on 11/01/2009

Quoting Kara:

My doctor said to try everything (within reason) but did say to stay away from acidic foods (tomatoes) till she's around 9 months.

  if you steam the tomato, and serve it in relatively small quantities (like a small tomato for 12-15 oz of veggies, tomatoes are fine. my son ate them since he was 7 months & he likes them. now at 8 months, i make him marinara sauce minus salt & pepper (onion, tomatoes, garlic, celery, carrots, pepper & i steam them rather than sautee in olive oil. i add a bit of olive oil at the end -- helps regulate digestion and just has good nutrients in it.

Hanna - posted on 11/01/2009

if your baby doesn't get constipated by it, then by all means go ahead. my son eats most of the things we do. and at this point, i don't even bother to puree the meat i give him, just give him small chunks of it & the food i do cook specifically for him, is of chunky risotto consistency. i also give him oatmeal and bread. he likes it. the only foods i would be careful on are nuts, strong citrus fruits, egg whites & fish b/c of mercury content. and i would definitely hold the salt & pepper & strong spices like curry. however, you can give your baby herbs, garlic, onion (both cooked), ginger (in small quantities). and just start training your baby to eat people food, after all, after 1 yr they should be able to eat what you eat. good luck!

Romina - posted on 11/01/2009

All I can say is please always stay with your baby when he/she eats. My little one nearly chocked in front of my very eyes whilst eating a piece of biscuit. She was with me the entire time and started baby talking as she was eating and it must have gone the wrong way... worst 20 minutes ever! now I BLEND everything she eats. It was horrible.

Karrington - posted on 10/31/2009

My son ate my food all the time (as long as it wasn't bad for him) and so I thought "Hmm, maybe we will try stage 3 foods" I fed him a couple bites and he choked on herbed pasta and chicken so I tried another just to see if maybe he didnt care for the first and he gagged on it as well. I simply gave up on stage 3 and he gets the pasta pick ups and such for lunch and dinner along with a fruit and/or veg in stage 2. We try all kinds of things as long as it will not hurt him. He does not have teeth either.

Denise - posted on 10/17/2009

Yes, if your child knows to mash food with the gums (or even teeth if she has some). I was nervous about starting adult foods and felt like gerber baby food might give her a more well rounded nutrition than whatever I whip up. Well, it got to the point she wouldn't eat her food if I was eating mine. She would watch fork to plate to mouth for every single bite. I finally asked the doctor who said when she shows interest in your food by looking at your plate and especially watching you eat it that shows she's ready. I tried stage 3 foods first which she would gag and respond badly to (like stage 3 spaghetti) but when a week later I simply chopped up my own spaghetti she did absolutely wonderful and can't believe how much she ate. So I think your little one is showing PERFECT signs and just watch close for choking but I think she'll do fine. Good luck =]

Kara - posted on 10/17/2009

My doctor said to try everything (within reason) but did say to stay away from acidic foods (tomatoes) till she's around 9 months.

Jo - posted on 10/17/2009

my little girl has been on ordinary food - no pureeing/blending at all - since she was 6 months. We started with easy finger foods such as slices of pear, and as her dexterity and oral control has improved we have moved onto giving her whatever we are having for tea. Obviously we try and keep salt and sugar out of what she has, and so far she has had a go at eating everything - even pickled onion !! She is particularly keen on anything bread related - pitta, toast, breadsticks with hummous or soft cheese.
I always stay with her when she is eating and have never had problems with choking. Apparently a baby's gag reflex is further forwards than an adults as a protective mechanism and its quite natural for it to be triggered with any foods, even purees. Baby Led Weaning by Gill Rapley is an excellent place to start if you're thinking about starting solids as is babyledweaning.com. Good luck x

Brooke - posted on 10/17/2009

My pediatrician said i could now start my son on thicker lumpier foods. He recommended me to start with...Strained of finely chopped meat. Mashed beans and peas. bite-size pieces of bread. Cooked, mashed fruits and vegetables and last but not least...noodles. I think it depends on your child. My son has not yet wanted anything to do with #3 foods..(he kinda gags), but if i offer him a piece off of a nugget, or french fry, or things we eat..he's more than happy with it. He has 6 teeth and knows how to use them :o) He said not to give him any foods that are small chunks or slippery, like candy, whole grapes, or hotdogs.
I have been giving my son single grain cereal since he's been 4 months old. (of course he's had it in his bottle since he was 2 months old).
If your child can handle it...no problem. I started my son on a sippy cup when he was 6 months old. He doesn't take a bottle anymore during the day or at night, so i'm feeding him solids 3 times a day and i also give him a snack (gerber puffs (they disolve in your childs mouth)).

Dawn - posted on 10/17/2009

I am nervous myself about this, but my son is much happier if I give him a taste of what Mommy and Daddy are eating. I went ahead and bought him Stage 3 foods, but he started to gag a little becasue I think he is too use to the puree when it is meal time, so I will need to take it slow.

Delyse - posted on 10/16/2009

of corse its ok. bread is fine if you break it up very small. and other food can be chunkier now if you keep and eye on them. if they are still gaging on it too much then not ready for it. but it is good for them to get used too the chewing things so its fine. cereal is fine if you make it soggy with milk or boiled water. like weetbix and porrage..

Amber - posted on 10/16/2009

depends on the food try to stay away from products with too much sugar, milk, and that is easy to choke on.