How Do You Know Which Are The Best Baby Foods To Start With?
My son is 3 1/2 months and he will be starting solids soon. With all the recent recalls, what are the best foods out there for babies just starting out? Should I make homemade baby food and where can I get recipes for that?
A: Homemade baby food is never an issue as long as you prepare it just right. You do need to start your son on cereal first and let his digestive tract get used to it before you start experimenting with all differnent foods. Try rice first and then barley or oatmeal. Del Monte is the brand of baby food that I used with my son. I’ve always trusted it as a brand for adults and it proved to be just as good for my son. There really is no reason to go for the expensive gerber since you are just paying for the name. The only reason to buy gerber is if you want your little one to try a flavor not offered by another brand. Beechnut is also a good brand, but rather pricey. I only tried it because I had several coupons for free jars. The best solids to start your baby on after the cereal would more than likely be bananas and green beans. Avoid meat until they are at least 5 months old. You can also try for sweet potatoes. I actually made my son homemade sweet potatoes but it was so much work that I didn’t do it again. You have to boil them, mash them, and then strain them with cheese cloth. That’s what is annoying about making food for the younger ones… straining them. You must make sure to get every string and clump out of the food. Many times if your baby does start to choke on something missed he will be turned off of that food. Good luck with whatever you decide, and enjoy those precious moments while they last!
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My peditrian gives me a news letter every month I visit. This may help you.
Feeding your baby solid foods
~Cereal
Introduce rice cereal when your child’s intake of formula reaches 36 oz in 24 hours. This is usually around 3-4 months of age. At this time, start with 2 tablespoons mixed w/ formula or juice (apple, pear, or white grape) two times a day. When mixing your cereal, start off with a thin consistency and gradually progress to thick as your baby learns how to swallow properly.
~Vegetables and Fruits
At 4 monts of age, or after your child has been eating cereal for 2-3 weeks, you may start single vegetables and fruits. Begin by giving your baby about 1/2 jar twice a day. We suggest starting fruits only after you have intro. the yellow and green vegetables. Begin with the yellow/orange veg. (squash, carrots, sweet potatoes) and then progress to the greens (peas, spinach, green beans, broccoli). Try each one separately for 4 days before starting a new selection. This will help you determine whether or not your child has a food allergy. Symptoms of a food allergy can include: a rash, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, vomiting.
~Juices
At 4 months of age you may also start juices such as apple, pear, white grape, and prune. You may purchase the “baby” juices or dilute regular concentrate juices by 1/2 with water. Juices are excellent in preventing and treating constipation. In cases of newborns, we suggest giving 1 oz of juice mixed with 1 oz of water 2 times a day, not to exceed 4 oz per day. At 4 months, you may increase the daily amount to 6 oz per day (3 oz per feeding). The juices should be given between regular formula feedings, not in the place of regular formula feedings.
~Meats
Meats may be started at 6 months of age. These include: poultry, beef, and lamb. There are many new baby foods that mix meats and veg. or meats and fruits in order to improve their flavor and acceptance.
~Table Foods
You may introduce table foods between 6 and 9 months of age. They should be mashed to a smooth consistency. Introduce each a new food for 4 days at a time.
A: Look at the jars. They have first stage, the second and third stage on them. Start out with the first stage. Each one has a different texture and fill to it. If the stores still have them on the shelves then nothing should be wrong with them.
A: I found that farex – infant cereal, was excellent to start with, as its gutsy and bland, perfect for babies. I started off with a few teaspoons at a time, and over a few weeks added my own baby fod, like apple.
The heinz website has some good recipes, but you should start out with one ingredient at a time, like boiled or steamed then mashed carrot, and then progress to more ingredients over time.
i tended on using canned baby food only occasionally, but my son really liked the redy made frozen blocks of food, like chicken, and vegetables, which i used to mix with farex to bulk it up. He loved it.
A: i personally made my own baby food. it was cheaper, i knew exactly what was going into it…and my kids liked it better than that store bought junk.
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