Introducing Solids
Date Added: June 19, 2008 06:57:33 PM
You can rush into the kitchen, get out those baby puree books and start cooking! Of course, nothing is ever this simple. How much should you make, does it freeze, what will my baby like, will my baby even eat solids and so on!
If you have a list of exotic recipes to try on your baby, put them away. The first thing your baby needs when you are introducing solids is simple and one flavor recipes. You can create more exotic dishes later on when your baby has actually grasped weaning and is used to new tastes.
Organic fruits and vegetables is where you should start. A simple carrot puree for dinner and an apple puree for pudding are perfect for starters. Remember though, when you are introducing solids to your baby, it is unlikely they will eat more than one or two spoons. All you have to do at the beginning is let them taste what is on the spoon. It won’t be long until they are eating full bowls of puree!
Simple purees such as swede, carrot and other such fruits and vegetables freeze very easily in ice cube trays. As your baby won’t be eating much at the beginning, freezing what else you have made is a great way to have a batch of meals ready.
The best time to introduce solids to your baby is after a little milk. You don’t want your baby to be starving before you try solids as he will only want his milk. Neither do you want your baby to be too full. Just after half of their usual milk is a good point to try a little solid food.
You can feed them either on your lap at the beginning or in a bouncer chair. Some highchairs are suitable for baby’s that can’t sit up on their own yet, so they could be a good way to get your baby used to being in the highchair.
Introducing solids can take time. Your baby may reject each new flavor a few times before actually swallowing it. Be patient and take your time. Your baby will pick up weaning when they are good and ready. As long as you persevere and keep trying, your baby will start to love solid food.
