We are taking him through all the first foods week by week - beans, carrots, peas, squash, sweet potatoes, applesauce, bananas, peaches, prunes and pears, plus rice cereal. I see that the apparent only difference between "first foods" and "second foods" is that the "first" are only one ingredient and the "second" are mixed ingredients. So can we start him on "second" foods once he's been through all the "first" foods and we have determined that he has no allergies? I'm just curious - I'll be asking my doctor when we take my son to the doctor next month for his shots, but, was wondering if anyone could explain this to me, since I haven't found anything on Gerber's site or anywhere else about when it is OK to switch over to "second". Thanks.
2007-03-18 13:42:42 · 9 answers · asked by amyceleste 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He has been on first foods for 2 months already, and I have been giving him what the pediatrician said he could have.
2007-03-18 13:51:01 · update #1
I believe you answered your own question. Your baby can move on to "second foods" if he's been exposed to all of the ingredients. You may want to even start introducing finger foods if you haven't already. The Gerber veggie./fruit puffs are a great way to start. These will help with texture and help him with moving to the third stage.
2007-03-18 13:53:32 · answer #1 · answered by 10 pts for me? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you are so patient. I skipped right to second stage after I tried a couple of fruits and veggies. You are right, the second stage is just a matter of mixed ingredients for the most part, the texture is pretty much the same, maybe a little thicker on some of the foods but not much. The third stage supposedlt has little chunks, I just bought it for my seven month old but we haven't tried it yet. The thing with foods, which I find very confusing, there is not exact time when you should introduce different foods.I'm trying to get ready to introduce thicker foods but I still get nervous about it. I guess I can't expect my baby to continue to eat pureed food forever! In answer to your question, your baby is more than ready for second stage.
2007-03-18 14:47:05 · answer #2 · answered by jc2006 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We started our 6 month old on stage 2 before we finished testing everything (Dr. told us to). If he is finishing the whole jar of the stage 1 foods then start stage 2 because the portion size is bigger. My son was eating 1-2 jars for dinner (which is like a stage 2 size). That's why we moved on. When I want to start a new food (ex. pears), I buy the stage 2 Pears (or even stage 1) and give him that for a few days, then I'll give it to him in one of the mixed jars (ex: mixed fruit). But- they still have the foods seperate in Stage 2, just more in the jar since our little ones need more. Hope this helped.
PS- they told me not to do meats until 9 mo.
2007-03-18 13:51:24 · answer #3 · answered by Becky 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2nd foods are not always mixed ingredients. I never fed any of my 3 boys the "1st foods". They are just smaller jars than the 2nd foods. I started with rice cereal, and then went to apple sauce, bananas, etc. You can go to the larger jars (which are more cost effective) any time you want. Your son will be fine. The larger jars of 2nd foods are not harmful in any way. If he has had all the foods you mentioned, he is more than ready to "move on".
2007-03-18 14:35:22 · answer #4 · answered by momof3boys 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People stress way too mu;ch about "first" "second" and "third" foods. Many times the only difference is in the quantity of food/size of jar, not the consistency. If you get a "stage 3" bottle of sweet potatoes, I promise you it's just as runny as "stage 1" sweet potatoes. Your baby should have been on solids for two months already; since you are starting so late (poor kid) you should move up to thicker foods quickly.
2007-03-18 13:46:37 · answer #5 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The way you are thinking is right, if he has tried all the first foods with no problems he can start on the second foods. The sooner he gets used to different flavors the better (or so they say!)
2007-03-18 13:52:44 · answer #6 · answered by beckyf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is supposed to be thicker but i really found no difference between 1st and 2nd foods besides the flavors. so i would say once he has tried all the first foods it would be safe to give hime 2nd foods. however there is a difference in 3rd foods, they have chunks in them.
2007-03-18 14:56:57 · answer #7 · answered by krystal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well our foster son was 4 months old when we got him and he was strickly on formula. When he was 6 months we started stage one baby foods and when he got his first tooth which was about 8 months we started stage two.
Hope that helps.
Good luck
2007-03-18 13:48:36 · answer #8 · answered by Brittney U 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when they get teeth to be able to break up the food without much assistance at around 1 or 1 1/2 :)
2007-03-18 13:47:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋