We are rounding the corner when Gianna is 'able' to start experiencing solid foods. I remember hearing that you should start solids at 6 months and it was always just a date in the future - although it's not too far out in the future anymore. Actually, it is only 3 weeks away!!! Time to get our welders masks on to protect our faces from flying food!
I also didn't realize that she should be eating cereal, not only rice but also single grain oatmeal, more regularly so yesterday we started giving it to her at lunch as well as dinner. She actually prefers the oatmeal to the rice cereal but before she knows it she will be having pureed potatoes, carrots, apples, and squash (which I don't even like).
We (and I use that term loosely) have decided that we (and I mean I) will make homemade foods for her just steaming and pureeing the fruit, vegetables, and meats at home. I have read a lot of great information on how to mass produce so that we have a bunch of food for a few weeks (rumor has it ice cube trays are the way to go). I've also learned that you need to introduce one fruit or vegetable every 3-5 days just in case there is an allergic reaction. We have decided to start with vegetables since those are the things that most kids don't like and then introduce some fruits (yeah sugar) into her diet. Mike and I are really excited and can't wait to see if she likes the same things we like although I look at some of the recipes I have for 6-8 months and I don't think you could pay me to eat some of this stuff. Oh and we can't forget her meats - which we can start anytime after 6 months as well. Nothing like pureed chicken - YUCK!
I do have a few books that are great like "First Meals" by Annabel Karmel and of course there is the Internet. I'm going to go out this weekend get another book by Annabel that goes along with "First Meals" called "First Meals Food Diary". This will assist me in keeping track of which foods/vegetables/meas she has tried, when, and in what combinations.
Do anyone else have other books, resources, or advice for us as we enter this next phase?
5 comments:
Hi Gina and Mike,
I used to prepare my own vegetables for the kids as well. I simply steamed them, pureed them in the blender, placed them in the ice cube trays, froze them, and placed them in Ziploc's to use as needed. It was easy and I'm glad I did it.
I don't remember if I did the same thing with fruit but guess I did for whatever fruits were in season. You can also make your own blends this way after you're certain Gianna isn't allergic to a particular fruit.
I never did this with meat. The thought of it just didn't appeal to me. I used the store-bought baby food jars instead.
Aunt Andrea
Mike makes good hashbrowns and scrambled eggs!
Gianna's Dad says:
I will be happy to puree food. Lasagna, past fagoli, cutlets...I'm not sure what the issue is. Who wants "pureed potatoes"..?
Check out www.recipegoldmine.com/baby/baby.html.
I also recommend Matt's suggestion.
I also realize that I'm listed as "Anonymous" and then sign with my name. I'll fix that one of these days.
Aunt Andrea
One more thing I remembered. I used to have a baby food grinder - it was an inexpensive item and easy to wash. That's how I did meat at the beginning. I'd broil/roast meat (usually unseasoned), dice it, put it in the grinder little by little, and do the ice cube tray thing.
AA
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