"real food"

Jennifer - posted on 11/22/2010

My doctor cautioned me on spices and being careful to only introduce one new food every 4 days to make sure there is no food allergies. I waited til about 6 months to start new foods because I breast fed unitl then. She did have cereals once in a while.

Pam - posted on 11/21/2010

you can start bubs on mashed potatoes veges now if you like what i used do was use my breast milk in the mashed potatoes or other veges for my son, and then when he got older gradually added a bit of sausage meat cut up finely to it, hope that helps for you

Julianne - posted on 11/21/2010

contrary to popular belief, rice cereal is not good for a childs first food. its full of carbs and no nutritional value unless you get the boxed crap thats full of synthetic vitamins, fruits and veggies is the way to go.. and if you dont believe me. just ask google.

Sarah - posted on 11/21/2010

My son is 14 months old & is JUST now getting his very first tooth. He can eat pretty much anything (except tough meat & extremely crunchy stuff). He'll eat crackers, chicken, toast, etc etc. I think it all depends on what your child is ready for. Some babies are ready for "table" foods earlier than others. My son didn't take well to solid foods at first. He didn't start eating well until he was around 10 months old. I don't think it had anything to do with his lack of teeth either. He still had a bit of the tongue thrust reflex & kept spitting all of his food right back out. I'd say 5 months is still pretty young though to start on table foods. I'd wait a few months, since her little digestive system is still immature.

Allyse - posted on 11/20/2010

like most people have said each child is different. and yes u can listen to professionals ie. plunket, doctor, but they aint always right on when a baby should eat, they just suggest, u try your baby ith things when u think they are ready, although they told me to feed my eldest son (now 20months) meat when he was 6months old. jus pop it in the food prosser or u can buy it already mixed with veges. he didnt get his first tooth till he was 10months old and he was fine, never choked. they suggest chicken and lamb. as for my 2nd child which most people wouldnt agree on and i myself didnt agree on at first but did not want 2 starve my child, stared eating table food at 2and a half months old. he stole a peice of my pizza. i took it off him and tried giving him a little bit of baby food but he ouldnt eat it and has been eating chunky food ever since. its realy each to there own, every1 is different. they will either let u know when they are ready or u can try them when u think they are ready and if they prove not 2 be then u just try them when they are a little older. goodluck and hope all of this helps some how

Lynette - posted on 11/20/2010

my first son, Nate, he ate sweet potato's mashed from 4 months on. it was his favorite food. he had cereal from 2 months on but mostly because of his spitting up of formula because he was allergic to milk products so he had to eat soy instead of regular. but my 2nd boy, Conner, had non of those problems but i started feeding him cereal about now and hes sleeping through the night just like Nate did. I'm gonna prob do the same thing with Conner that I did with Nate and start feeding him mashed things at 4 months. Nate now loves eating fruits and vegi's ever since I started feeding them to him at an early age and hes grown up nice and healthy.

Megan - posted on 11/20/2010

We started offering table foods at about that age and our son seemed to be ok with them. I would take a small bite and if I could squish it with my tongue to the roof of my mouth enough to eat it, I figured it was soft enough. Also my husbands grandmother had given us a magic bullet and it sounds stupid but a lot of our table food went into that thing to make into baby food. It was easy and fast (although at times disgusting looking). I thought it was stupid when I got it, but for the first year and a half after my son was born, I couldn't live without it.

Julianne - posted on 11/20/2010

good luck trying to get her on the bottle....my daughter is 11months and i tried to ween her onto the bottle around 5 months..didnt work at all.. i started her on "real food" right away.. and skipped the box and bottled crap people try to pass for baby food.. she eats all whole foods, fruits and veggies oats, beans...thats kind of stuff.. and started at 5 months. just mash stuff up, so she doesnt choke,, and she'll be fine..advacado is a good one to start her on the preparing process is cut in half and mush with fork....sweet potato is good too, just bake for 30mins and serve.. they are super nutritious too.

she is now eating the same looking food i eat,

as long as she has good jaw action and doesn't seem to choke or gag you can slowly start little chunkier until her food is not baby food anymore :)

Stefanie - posted on 11/19/2010

Egg YOLKS are okay at 9 months but the WHITES are a no-no until 12 months.

Nicole - posted on 11/19/2010

my daughter had a taste of mash potatos before the doc said she could have baby food, her grandma is a trouble maker lol, but she does fine with it she is 4 months has had baby food since 2 months (per the doc) and if at dinner we have mash potatos she does too... i just make sure to let ppl add their own salt so she doesnt have it in hers... i also give her small amounts of cream corn without the corn chuncks andi peel grapes and she chews on the from in those teethers, and recently shes teething so i started her on baby mum mums i just have to watch she doesnt get too big of a peice she does fine... just pay attention when ur feeding

Christina - posted on 11/19/2010

My Son is 8 months old & I am only starting to give him Baby Mum Mum's, Cherrios, Yogurt, Mashed veggies & cut up ( very small) Pieces of fruit Just try and get him use to chewing!! He also likes it when I give him some Cheese and let him pick it up and eat it himself along with other things!

September - posted on 11/19/2010

Nicole while I will agree with you that microwave cooking is not the best option I still disagree that microwaves completely destroy food value all together, which is something that you stated in your first post. It has been proven otherwise although since there are so many other hazards with microwave cooking it might not matter that the nutrients are not lost since it's an unhealthy way of cooking altogether! :) Thanks for the link, it was very helpful!

ASHLEY - posted on 11/19/2010

nah my son was breastfed and never took to baby food it wasnt till about 7 or 8 months when we started giving him food off our plates that he became interested anything other than breastmilk. Also he was 4 1/2 months last thanksgiving and i definetly let him have mashed potatoes n crannberry sauce anything that he could easily swallow I had to it was his 1st thanksgiving! I didnt start babyfood until 6 months though just had food that one day :)

Casey - posted on 11/19/2010

I was very slow to introduce foods and I'm not really sure why that is now :) We stayed on pureed foods until he had teeth (including cheerios!). I was super paranoid about choking but he never choked until a week ago (with 8 teeth no less!). I think it's whatever is easiest for your family. We also were wary of salt, sugar, butter, etc so whenever we do give him stuff we try to make sure his is unseasoned (high blood pressure and cholesterol runs in my husband's family so we don't want to trigger any of that). I think there are a lot of guidelines from the APA about when to start what types of foods but other than that I'd say look up the choking hazard foods (I put one on the fridge for my husband's info) and steer clear of those. As for the eggs I think they say wait until they are a year (for allergy reasons).

Nicole - posted on 11/18/2010

I disagree. I avoid microwave cooking and reheating. this link has a lot of information, all very useful. This is one of many sources stating dangers. It even includes why to not microwave baby's bottle, how it coverts food into carcinogenic substances, and how food nutrients are significantly decreased. their have been many studies and theirs lots of scientific proof about the negative effects microwaving has on food. Not to mention the radiation and cancer causing effects from both using and eating from the microwave.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/micro...

September - posted on 11/18/2010

FYI: Microwaving food does not destroy the nutrients in the foods. Here is a link to check out for more information.
http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/ar...

Nicole - posted on 11/18/2010

you def do not need to wait for teeth. A food processor is a wonderful thing for feeding baby real food. You can steam veggies and mash them or process them. I gave my oldest meat at that age too. I would add a little chicken to her carrots and peas in the food processor ( she didnt like potatoes but most kids do). I recommend steaming veggies to maintain the nutrients as boiling will lose a lot of nutrients and microwaves completely destroy food value all together.

Kiera - posted on 11/18/2010

my second daughter did not get her first tooth until she was 11 months old and she had everything we had even steak (very small peices and she would roll it around in her mouth and chomp it up. it is just a matter of trial and error. if its no good dont do it again for a month or two. your daughter will soon let u know if she cannot handle it. and as for the eggs, i was always told not to give it to them untill one yr old for allergy reason but i remember hearing recently that now the experts (whoever they are) are now saying give ur child these things or they will end up with an intolerence. so who knows talk to clinic nurse they might be more up 2 date. i always tried new foods lunch time so they were more liklely to be awake in the afternoon so u would notice immediately if there was a reaction instead of being down for the night. for my girls it was fruit that gave them a rash mangos, berries etc now they have no problem so if u only indroduce one food every 3 days u know what is the problem and then wait the couple of months to try again.

Sarh - posted on 11/17/2010

Dara, I know this is not my post, but my 5 month old has been chewing his purees for about 2 weeks now, he makes chewing motions when he see any adult eating/chewing. Can I really give my 5 month old more softer foods? He just started Stage 2 about a two weeks ago.
the egg thing... I thought it was the egg whites that they are not supposed to have until a yr old. But I just read "Experts used to say that babies shouldn't eat eggs, wheat, fish, and products containing peanuts - the foods most liekly to cause allergies - until after age 1. But the AAP has reversed that position." You can actually introduce some as young as 6months. Also, "Ninety-fice percent of kids aren't going to develope a nut allergy no matter when nuts are introduced to them. One to 2 percent of kids will get it because they're genetically predisposed. For the remaining kids, timing may make a difference. In fact, nut-allergy rates are very low in certain areas of Africa, where a peanut soup is given to babies as they are weaned off of breast milk. Researchers are still exploring a possible connection. Last year, the AAP changed its long-standing policy of avoiding ground nuts and foods containing nuts until age 3. Now the group says that parents can offer them to babies 6 months and up as long as they aren't showing signs of other food allergies and don't have a family history of nut allergies."
I do not plan on introducing nuts to my son as his grandmother on his father's side has a nut allergy, my fiancee also avoids them (I can't remember if he is allergic or just being cautious).

I hope I didn't get too off track, just thought that information may help?!

Dara - posted on 11/17/2010

When baby shows signs of trying to "chew" their food, you can start giving soft foods. If you do eggs, wait for a few months yet and then just give the yolks until a year old. My 13 month old has 10 teeth and she's been eating finger foods since about 7 months. She eats most table foods without all her teeth. I think meat should be one of the last things introduced into baby's diet. Some great starter foods are soft steamed veggies like sweet potatoes, peas, carrots (extremely well cooked), white potatoes etc. If you cook them well and cut them up into little cubes that can be mashed in your fingers easily, they should be good to give to baby. Though at 5 months, I would probably wait a while yet on finger foods, but you can make his purees more chunky when he starts chewing.

Amanda - posted on 11/17/2010

My 3rd child I started on cereal around 3 1/2 months. He was a BF baby and it seemed like all I did was feed him. I have two other child who are 5 and 6 and was spending so much time feeding my newborn I felt I was neglecting my others. When I mixed his cereal super thin(the way it is recommend for new feedings) he didnt get the point that he needed to open his mouth to let the spoon in, he would just suck it off the spoon. So I started mixing the cereal a lot thicker. About 2 weeks late after he got opening his mouth down I started mixing 1st stage stage foods with cereal. They were to thin and he would just suck them off the spoon but adding cereal I was able to make them to the consistency I wanted. He is turning 5 months in a few weeks and I give him mashed potatoes on a regular basis. I have mashed up baked beans, and bananas. He seems to like the thicker substance. I still mix cereal in with his food. Work with your baby to find out what works best for you and him and be cautious and safe but dont be afraid to try different things to find out what works the best for both of you.

Sarh - posted on 11/17/2010

Glad your skipping the bottle.
W/the veggies she refuses continue to try them, my son would not eat peas, but I continued to offer them and now he eats them.

Dawn - posted on 11/17/2010

I personally love the baby led weaning, my two (o 4 years and one 15 months) both were given what they asked for, even at 5-6 months they will let you know what they want. I made most of their foods myself apart from the baby rice and rusks and I never got a pediatritions advice. I started with basic foods such as pureed root veg (potatoes, carrots, parsnips, squash) anything like that. Then progressed onto baby rice, porridge, baby cerial etc. At about 7 months started introducing white meats and a little white fish then just progressed from there really. Only intorduce a new food every two days at first so you can guage if your little one has any reaction. Mine wouldn't tolerate broccoli for a while (it gave him the runs quite bad) At 8 months he was chewing/sucking on pork rib bones. We ate most of the meat of first and he was asking for some so we gave him one and he sucked it forever. Obviously don't give chicken bones as they can easily splinter and always watch your baby with foods.

Amanda - posted on 11/17/2010

i am skipping the bottle since sherefuses to take it by all means n trying the sippy cup .. i let her play with it n she puts it to her mouth like shes drinking from it so well see when i put BM in what happens :)

shes already on cereal ( hates it but eats it most times) n some veggies mixed with it too.. not a huge fan of a couple tho thats for sure

Carolyn - posted on 11/17/2010

i agree that 5 months is a little young for table foods, scrambled eggs, etc. mashed potatoes are essentially a puree, unless you leave them really lumpy. but i would avoid putting things like butter and milk in them. even then they are recommended from 8-10 months
I make my own baby foods and from what i have seen there are while looking for recipees and ideas is that some foods you should not give to a baby before 8-10 months because some are harder to digest than others. this information is easily found online.

eggs are not recommended before a year. nor is cows milk etc.

just be very careful what you are feeding your child. you dont not want to cause him undue digestif pain or difficulties, by starting certain foods to early ! dont rush it !

you can also puree alot of meats as well. you can put just about anything in a blender or food processor. i would wait atleast another month personally .

Chrystal - posted on 11/17/2010

My baby girl just had her 4 month checkup and the Dr. wants me to go ahead and start her on rice cereal. She wants me to wait until she is 6 months to start her on fruits and veggies and practicing a sippy cup for juice b/c at 6 months they should be able to digest that food and juice.

Liz - posted on 11/16/2010

I would just be very careful of what you feed her if she doesn't have any teeth. Some things no matter how soft could cause her to choke. Personally I think 5 months old is a little too young to be fed table foods.

Andrea - posted on 11/16/2010

i gave my first solids from 4 months anything really just mashed it up if u try her on something and if she is fine just carry on

Stifler's - posted on 11/16/2010

I agree, they love sippy cups my brother went straight from the bottle to a sippy cup because he didn't like the bottle. I started giving my baby toast and other finger foods and bits of soft chicken to eat with his fingers at about 7 months in addition to soft stuff like mashed potato and other mashed veg and fruit.

Sarh - posted on 11/16/2010

She is almost 6 months old why don't you try a sippy cup and skip the bottle completely?!? My son is also 5 months old and breastfed. I have bottles for him in which he may get one of per month when we go to dinner and a movie, but other then that he does not get a bottle. I am going to start giving him a sippy cup at 6 months old. This way there is no weaning of the bottle in 4-6months.
For the solids thing, what I personally do (some moms may not find this as a suitable recommendation, but I'm not recommending it simply stating what I did w/my daughter and am going to do w/my son!) is give them soft foods when I feel they are ready, such as properly eating/not spitting or pushing the food back out of their mouth. Mashed potatoes I have tried w/my son (5mo), but he wasn't really caring for them. I have let him gum on a biscuit (I was holding it). I am debating on getting him the Gerber Puff's finger foods for him to gum on which will dissolve in his mouth. He has excellent hand eye coordination and has for a while. He is on Stage 2 foods and seems bored w/them, he is also EXTREMELY interested in our big people food.
I honestly believe it is your own personal opinion and when you feel you and your baby are ready for them. I would avoid meats until she has at least 2 teeth so she has something to chew with. Right now I would just give things that can be safely broken down by the gums.
I hope this helps! :)

September - posted on 11/16/2010

Every baby is different and it depends on how well they tolerate the chunkier foods. Our son started solids (rice cereal and homemade purees) at 6 months and was eating chunkier foods at about 8 months of age with only 4 teeth. This varies from baby to baby. I wouldn’t feed a 5 month old baby any of the things you listed above..but that's just me. I don't think a 5 month old baby's stomach can handle scrambled eggs and babies are not supposed to have egg whites until 1 year of age. It's best to talk to your pediatrician first before offering new foods.

Julie - posted on 11/16/2010

IMO - no you don't have to wait for a mouth full of teeth. I started my son out at 4 or 5 months old feeding him not just cerial and purreds but mashed potatoes ( made sure there was no lumps in them) and other soft foods. My grandmother ( was a foster parent for 34 years and has tons of Baby expierence) I use to feed him small bites of things I was eating like Ice cream, mashed potatoes, Cake ect.
As soon as he had 2 teeth I would give him the teather cookies and watch closely make sure he didn't get a hunk off and choke.

Brittany - posted on 11/16/2010

My daughter never liked purred food. In fact I'd have to add a lot of cereal to it so that it was chunky. I mashed her banana from the beginning. She didn't get any meat until about 7 months, and then it was ground turkey. I waited until almost 10 months to give scrambled eggs mainly because of the whites and allergies.

A great test to see if a no teeth baby can handle the mashed food is to put it in your mouth toward the back after your last teeth. If you can mash it up or is dissolves easily than your baby should do fine. If there is any doubt about her being able to handle it though, I'd wait.