I was very hesitant to start solids. For many reasons. One being gross diapers...another being that I love breastfeeding. I didn't want my milk supply to suffer. I didn't want to do extra work. I didn't want to give her the wrong thing. But as I got more and more comfortable doing it, it is actually pretty fun.
I read an awesome book, Super Baby Food. It is a pretty amazing book. This woman has really put together a BIG book. If you can get past her condescending tone, and the fact that she has no formal training, it's pretty awesome. I love the back...you can literally look up each food and it says how old she needs to be, how to cook it, store it, etc.
We started with rice cereal. Organic. My doctor said so, so that's what we did. I follow my doctor's instructions. Not everyone does this. I do.
Then, I started her on oatmeal, which she loved. It is important to introduce a new food every 4-5 days. And not with anything else...purely the new food. I always do it in the morning, just in case she has a reaction. Which she hasn't! (knock on wood) I chose organic foods and nothing processed. I want her to eat as healthy as possible. And if you have seen her you can tell she doesn't miss many meals. Okay, any meals.
I love giving her banana. It is so easy. You mash it, add a little water, and feed it to her. Sweet potatoes are easy, as are avacado. I prefer baking to microwaving, as the microwave can produce hot spots. I don't want to burn her. Duh. I have baked avocado and sweet potato.
I give her water after each meal. She loves it. She would drink water all day if I let her. I give her water from the fridge because it is filtered. I have given her non-filtered water, after I asked my doctor. It's not recommended to give a baby non-filtered...so I prefer giving her filtered, bottled or boiled (then cooled) water.
Barley is another great one. Cereal, oatmeal and barley are easy. You just pour some in a bowl and add water and stir. If there is something she is eating that she doesn't eat well, I might add some oatmeal to it to make her eat more. I want her to be as full as possible! Then she will sleep. :)
Tomorrow she will try mango. Then pears are next.
Are you using a sippy cup for the water? If so, what kind? Garrett is just now getting used to drinking from one of those clear topped bite-and-suck sippy cups (didn't know how else to describe it). When I give him water from a cup, he breathes it in! I know he'll get the hang of it eventually, but it's slow-going for us. What has worked for you?
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so pretty, Allison! You are so good and careful with food. I like making my own baby food too. I started doing it with Micaiah and though we did quite a bit of jarred food with J.R. I am back to making it all with Levi. I don't plan as well as you! Maybe its 3rd child syndrome!
ReplyDeleteLylah likes all American water! Yay!
ReplyDeleteLove, Mimi