i am looking after my niece at the weekend. she is 6 months old. can i give her bread to chew on, white chocolate, banana and other things like that or is she still too young?
2006-11-30 07:43:26 · 12 answers · asked by pinklilyhun 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You should never feed a baby:
Honey
Nuts
Most people do not feed babies:
Dairy
Wheat
Chocolate (including white chocolate as white chocolate contains cocoa butter which is what people are allergic to).
Egg whites
Other potential allergens.
However you should always discuss things with the child's mother as she probably has her own rules and ways of doing things. And you should respect her decisions.
Oh and FYI banana turns into CONCRETE, so be careful not to get it on anything and presoak clothes that become covered in it before washing. or it won't come off.
Here is some info on baby-led introduction to solids which you and your brother/sister may be interested in. This is what I do and it has worked out awesome for me and my baby. He is 9 months and loves all sorts of foods they say you should give to a baby (like chili, steak, pineapple, strawberries, broccoli) he hasn't had any problems whatsoever since starting solids, even though I have a history of childhood allergies.
The great thing about child led introduction to solids is you don't worry about chocking and you don't worry about buying/making baby food. Baby eats what you do, when you do. It also encourages you to eat more fruit and veggies and cook with less salt. Which is very healthy for the whole family. Also my baby loves things with spices such as garlic, ginger, and even spicy foods (not really hot)
http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/vast_voedsel/rapley_guidelines.html
Oh and I didn't want to start solids until 7 months because it drastically reduces the risk of anemia, but my baby kept eating the grass in the park (I would find it in his diaper) and I had to eat out of eyesight otherwise he would scream so I gave up at 6 1/2 months.
2006-11-30 08:10:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
6 months is a great time to start solids. Most recommend starting with rice cereal, but I started my son with bananas. Other first foods that are good - sweet potatoes, avacados. In the beginning they should be very well mashed, and diluted with a little breast milk or formula. You should also introduce only one new food a week, to watch out for any allergies. Try the book Super Baby Food. It has so many great ideas! Also about the chocolate, I would avoid it completely. Your baby needs foods with more nutrients. If you aren't sure about any foods, ask your pediatrician!
Oops, just realized it is your niece, not your daughter. Ask her mother before giving her ANYTHING!
2006-11-30 15:57:17 · answer #2 · answered by Rebecca O 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doctors say no Chocolate for the first year. My son is also 6 months and I tried to give him the gerber melting puffs and zwieback toast the other day, but it didn't work. He did not know what to do with hit and it makes a big mess.
Remember anything that can break is a choking hazard and if you will give bananas they need to be mushed so a peice won't lodge in her throat.
2006-11-30 15:52:25 · answer #3 · answered by Andy's Mom 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's fine to give her real food. If you plan to feed her bread, make sure it's the soft part of the bread and feed it to her in one small piece at a time. Banana is okay too. However, you need to spoon it out in small pieces and you should smash it like baby food. Don't feed her chocolate. It's too hard for her and it's unhealthy.
2006-11-30 15:48:16 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs Apple 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No chocolate! White or any other kind! As for bananas and bread you'll have to ask her parents if she has had these before. I would recommend just asking them for suggestions so then you know you can't go wrong.
But definitely stear clear of chocolate, nuts and eggs!
2006-11-30 15:47:14 · answer #5 · answered by Michelle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't give her anything until you discuss it with mom first!!!
Some 6 month olds are "eating" bread, mashed fruits and veggies, cereals, biscuits, etc... while others are just starting to explore the world of food and are starting with infant cereal.
Most moms (like me) prefer to be the one to introduce new foods so they can watch for reactions and allergies. (And record it in their baby book!).
You have good intentions but discuss them with her parents to find some agreed upon "treats".
2006-11-30 15:58:03 · answer #6 · answered by devils'littleangel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly wouldnt recommened chocolate at all. The banana ya, but you would have to mush it up. Stick with the mushy stuff save yourself some problems
2006-11-30 15:46:56 · answer #7 · answered by princesbubbleyum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She can have tastes of things as long as they're of a certain consistancy. Things like applesauce, mashed potatoes, things like that. Nothing solid though because she doesn't have enough teeth (if any) to chew with. The bananas might be fine if you really mashed the heck out of them. Just to be safe, I'd just give her whatever her parents pack for her unless you find something that would be okay to give her a taste of.
2006-11-30 15:45:49 · answer #8 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
NO CHOCOLATE! No grapes, no strawberries, no hot dogs, no honey or nut products. Reason: food allergies.
If she can pick things up by herself, then give her Cheerios or VERY small pieces of banana. BUT, do not leave her unattended while she has it - you don't want her to choke.
If she can not pick things up by herself, don't give her any of these things.
2006-11-30 15:51:46 · answer #9 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't give her ANYTHING without checking with her Mom first. Although it might seem harmless to give her things like bananas, she might have a sensitivity to them that you don't know about. Good luck and have fun with her!
2006-11-30 15:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by ♥♥♥♥♥calimama♥♥♥♥♥ 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋