First foods.
Fresh food:
low sugar
Low animal fat:
low salt(no salt before one year)..
Many mothers feel that ,once their baby is three months old ,they should be starting to feed him solids.In fact there is no 'right' age as every baby is different.Physiologically,there is no rush to get your baby started on solids.
A baby's digestive system is not fully matured for the first few months and foreign proteins very early on may increase the likelihood of allergic food problems later.
However,be warned:socially there is a kind of competitive spirit amongst mothers to get their child on to pureed steak and chips as soon as possible!
I would advise that,provided your child is satisfied and growing properly,you should wait until he is between four and six months old before starting to give him simple solid food.
MILK IS STILL THE MAJOR FOOD
It is very important to remember when starting your baby on solids that milk is still the best food for growing babies.I would encourage mothers to try breastfeeding.
Apart from the emotional benefits,breast milk contains antibodies that will help protect infants in the first few months,they are particularly vunerable and the colostrum a mother produces in the first few days of breastfeeding is a very important source of antibodies which help to build up a childs immune system..
FRESH IS BEST
Fresh foods just do taste,smell and look better than pre-pared baby foods.Neither is there any doubt that,pre-pared correctly,they are better for your baby(and you),for it is inevitable that nutrients,especially vitamins,are lost in the processing of pre-pared baby foods.
Home-made food tastes quite different from the jars you can buy.(If you were ever to try blind tasting of popular brandss of baby foods,you would know that it is very difficult to reconise what particular food each food jar contains!).
GLUTEN
If theres a family history of gluten intolerance,babies under six months MUST follow a gluten-free diet,but it is preferable for all young babies.Gluten is found in wheat,rye,barley and oats,and gluten sensitivity can cause coeliac disease which,although rare,can be serious.
Equipment
Most of the equipment required will be already in your kitchen-mashers,graters,sieves,etc.-but the following three pieces are vital!.
Mouli:this hand-turned food mil with varible cutting discs purees the food,separating it from the seeds and tough fibres which can be difficult for the baby to digest.
It is ideal for foods like dried apricot,sweetcorn or green beans.
Blender or food processor: this is useful for larger quantities.However,foods for young babies will often need to be sieved sfterwards,before serving,in order to remove any indigestible seeds and skin.
Steamer:the best way to preserve the vitamins in fruits and vegtables is to cook them in a steamer.It is worth buying a multi tier steamer.
WEANING
Every baby is different and some larger babies may just not be getting enough to satisfy them.Your baby will let you know when she needs to start solids;if,for example,she is no longer satisfied after a 250ml/8fl oz bottle;if the interval between feeds becomes shorter ove a period,or if she starts becomming unsettled at night.Another sure sign is when she reaches out and tries to chew everything in sight.At the begining don't expect your baby to take more than 1-2 teaspoons of baby rice or fruit or vegtable puree
1.Make the puree fairly wet and soft at first ,using breast or formula milk,an unsweetened juice or cooking water.
2.Hold your baby comfortably on your lap or sit her in her baby chair.It would be better if both you and baby were protected agaist spills.
3.Choose a time when your baby is not frantically hungry and maybe milk first to satisfy her hunger.
4.Babies are unable to lick food off a spoon,so choose a small,shallow one.
5.Start by giving her just one solid feed a day start by giving one to two teaspoon to begin with.
WHEN CAN THEY HAVE?
Apple,pear,banana,papaya......4-6mths
Carrot,cauliflower,potatoe,courgette,squash,green beans,swede,sweet potatoe....4-6mth
Dried fruit,peach,kiwi,apricot,plum,melon,avocado....5-6mths
Peas,celery,leek,parsnip,sweet pepper..........5-6mths
Foods containing gluten....6mths
Eggs......6mths
Fish........6mths
Chicken,dairy products.....6-7mths
Mushroom,sweetcorn.....6-7mths
Other meats....6-12mths
Split pea,butter beans,lentils.....8-9mths
Shellfish...over 2years
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