Resources
- Loved this website!
- Printed this LIST and had it inside cabinet to help think through what feeding Carmen.
- Super Baby Food is an overwhelming book that friends swear by... maybe try getting through it with second kiddo.
- Introducing Liquids
- Never gave juice because didn't want baby to have so much sugar.
- Use small see through cup of water to have baby learn how to sip out of it.
- Also use sippy cups:
- Do consistently and at most meals.
- Model how to use it.
- Try a soft straw in a cup with the next one.
- Introducing Solids (Mainly Veggies)
- Tried to do a lot of various veggies and non-sweet foods before fruit.
- Month 6 & 7 only did veggies and avocados with Baby C.
- Order of foods started with Baby C: oatmeal, avocados, acorn squash, butternut squash, green beans, rice cereal, carrots, peas, apples, bananas, pasta
- Used formula with solids to make them less thick instead of trying to pump for it.
- Used oatmeal before bed for the first couple of months to help with sleeping through the night
- Introducing Fruits
- Think through what fruits are binding and which ones break down.
- No citrus, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries until after a year.
- Introducing Dairy
- Start with whole fat yogurt (banana flavor is especially mild, watch out for berry flavors!), mild cheese (like mozzarella), then not as mild cheese...
- No milk until after a year old.
- Introducing Finger Foods
- Started at 8 months. Maybe do earlier with next one.
- Finger Food Ideas
- Don't put finger into mouth to pull out food baby is choking on unless you can see it. Do a hooking motion to pull out food. Swatting baby's back is best! Don't want to accidentally shove food further down the neck.
- Foods to Watch Out for and Avoid:
- Highly allergenic foods: dairy, eggs, peanuts, strawberries, wheat
- Peanut butter and nuts
- 6-12 months
- Maybe give baby right before doctor appointment in case swells?
- Not until after a year: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, citrus, honey, eggs, whole milk, shellfish/crustaceans
- Grapes and hot dogs are super big choking hazards!
Mommy Reflections
- Be patient! Baby is learning!
- Know what allergies run in the family.
- Wait 3-4 days with introducing new foods to see if there are any allergic reactions.
- Baby C had big time rash with poop changing for 1-2 weeks.
Parenting
- Flick the side of baby's mouth if spitting food to nip that practice in the bud right away. Don't do it hard! Even a little flick hurts.
- From beginning of solids hold baby's hands down in lap while feeding him/her. This keeps baby from from grabbing the spoon and pulling on the bib. Down the road as you no longer need to hold the hands he/she won't grab the spoon when being fed.
