Guest author Christina, the maker of the
Bandana Bibs shares a few ideas about starting baby on
solids.
When to start, what to feed my baby and has my baby had enough
to eat?
All questions fellow mum's out there ask when their precious
infant is getting closer to the age when solids may be
introduced. Here are some simple and personal anecdotes from
my experience when starting my wee boy on solid food!
Baby will take food when ready - you will know when baby watches
you eating and when you offer him food, he opens his mouth and
engages in a tasty, messy but fun food e xperience.
Remember bland and plain foods are best for baby - my boy loved
the rice cereal (mix with breast milk or formula) mashed banana,
sweet potato, most steamed and pureed veggies;
Some foods can make a baby constipated. Fruits such as
pears and bananas! I had no idea so I eased up on these fruits when
my son would show signs of constipation. When baby is big
enough to eat porridge, I always added blueberries; these are an
excellent source of antioxidants and other vitamin. When in season
my son eats them like lollies.
Buy a basic steamer to pop in your stovetop pot - you can buy
these from most kitchen stores and are not expensive. I would steam
all the veggies, then mash together in freeze. My son is now 20mths
old and I still steam his veggies, as it keeps the goodness in.
I found some store bought baby foods helpful at times especially
when you are running late or just shattered. I went for the organic
options from my local supermarket, and read and heard nutritionists
state that some organic baby food at the supermarkets are "as good
as home cooked meals." These meal options can be tasty and healthy,
especially as baby gets bigger and is enjoying new flavors.
So do not feel guilty if you do need to resort to a quick meal
out of a jar for your baby. These were not always expensive, as I
tried to buy them when on special and stock up!