I am pretty nervous! Is oatmeal or rice cereal better to start off with?? Also, what other tips or advice can you tell me about starting him on actual "solids?" Any advice would be apprecieated, thanks!!
2007-08-23 14:33:22 · 16 answers · asked by Betrayed and Insane 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Definitely start with the rice cereal. It has a much lower chance of an allergic reaction or intolerance than the oatmeal. If you are going to make all of your babies food, I wouldn't know that much about it. But my doctor actually told me to start out with fruits first (I didn't). I started with the yellow vegetables (squash is still my daughter's favorite), then the green vegetables, and then the fruits. Do pay attention to your babies bowel movements, though. The rice cereal does make my daughter constipated (hence why we actually started prunes before the green vegetables). The oatmeal seems much easier for her to digest but they recommend not starting oatmeal or barley until 6 months. But do only start a new food at least only every 3-5 days so you can watch out for a reaction (rash, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.). And give your child a bottle of breast feed before each meal of solids since they are still getting the majority of their nutrition from formula or breast milk. And don't get discouraged! It takes quite a while for them to get the hang of it, and at this stage they really are just getting it for "practice."
2007-08-23 14:47:59 · answer #1 · answered by Summer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't be nervous! You'll have fun with it.
I would start with rice cereal first-- it is a lot milder on their tummy. I gave my son oatmeal, and he threw up a lot that day, and I connected the two. I think oatmeal is fine once their stomachs are a bit more developed.
I just made a tiny bit at first, since they really don't eat a lot. Probably the first ten times you're going to feed your son, he won't eat a lot. It's just getting him used to the idea of eating and learning about what's going on.
We fed our son just the single grain rice cereal for at least one full month before introducing stage one fruits. Then we just slowly added them in-- one tablespoon of bananas or pears mixed in. Then progressively more.
Definitely get some bibs with sturdy velcro. It won't matter right now, but once your baby gets older, he'll discover how to rip it off.
I would also invest in a food processor if you don't already have one. We bought one a little late in the game, and I realized how great it was. I had a lot of fun making food for him once he got older, even if it was just fruit that was a lot cheaper than buying the jarred variety.
Have fun with it! What a big milestone! Take lots of pictures.
2007-08-23 14:43:37 · answer #2 · answered by clizzy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start with rice since it is kind of bland and easy for baby to get used to eating. Wait for 3 days and then you can start with the Stage 1 foods (carrots, squash are good to start). Wait on peas and bananas since it can constipate the baby. Wait 3 days before you being each food since it will give you a chance to observe for allergies and such. Start solids for breakfast and then proceed to dinner and lunch. After a month or so, you can start mixing rice with the carrots and others. Oats can wait for sometime (around the 7th month). Hope this helps.
2007-08-23 14:52:31 · answer #3 · answered by shobana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started my son on rice cereal but not long after we tried oatmeal. he likes it better and i find it easier to declump when i mix it up. so its really up to you everyone always says rice cereal but there's nothing wrong with oatmeal. just make sure you dont give them too much. and dont rush giving solid foods either. take it slow and easy try little amounts first and be prepared, you'll know soon after you try something if they're ready or not. use those motherly instincts! haha my eight month old doesnt have any teeth yet so i'm not rushing things, he could be starting to munch on those little fruit puffs but he makes this terrible face and just throws them everywhere. therefore, he is not ready haha. its not too hard to figure out. good luck!
2007-08-23 14:40:58 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah L. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your paper towels and a bib ready!!! Start with rice cereal. I quickly transitioned to all the stage 1 foods but some people wait it out longer. Use your baby's ques as a guide.
2007-08-23 14:42:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always started my daughters on rice cereal first. They say it's easier to digest. When you start on actual baby food, really limit the variety to one or so a day so if any food allergies are present you are able to pick up on them quickly and know what the culprit was. Solids can be really fun and messy make sure you try fruits first they are eaier to get a baby to eat since they are sweeter and taste better than vegetables but as soon as your baby gets the hang of it, throw those veggies in.
2007-08-23 14:40:56 · answer #6 · answered by Short~n~Sweet 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rice... oatmeal is too tick for a beginning baby. Start with it very watery, and slowely thicken it.. at first dont try to use it as a meal.. just as something for the baby to get the hang of.. some moms liek to mix it with breast milk or formula and not water. Dont start on sweet food... like fruits.. stick with the veggies at first... Any other questions feel free to email me.
KL
2007-08-23 14:45:19 · answer #7 · answered by k_langford33 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're not feeling in a rush to start solids, you can try "Baby-led Solids" This is the route we took and I gotta say, I love it! It's a lot easier on both mom and baby in that you don't have to stop your meal to feed baby, baby doesn't have to wait on you to feed him, baby learns about real food rather than purees and they learn table manners soooo fast! My daughter has always given me the food she's done with rather than throwing it on the ground (much to my dog's chagrin, haha!)
What we did is give our baby big pieces of banana or avocado (both as low on the allergen scale as rice is) for her to pick up and explore during our meal time. One day, around 6.5 or 7 months, some made it into her mouth and she was like, "Hey! This squishy toy tastes GOOD!" lol
For more info on this method, check out this link: http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/vast_voedsel/rapley_guidelines.html
2007-08-23 17:12:39 · answer #8 · answered by Evin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First it all depends on how old he is. My pediatrician had me start my boys ( who are now 9 and 6, things change) out on rice cereal, it is easier to digest than oatmeal. If it makes you nervous, call your sons pediatrician and ask, they will point you in the right direction.
2007-08-23 14:40:14 · answer #9 · answered by C P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not oatmeal. baby rice cereal is better. also u should start off with foods like carrots and potatoes. boil them first for a couple of minutes, then put it in a blender and then u strain it.
food u make on your own is much better and healthier than buying Gerber products cuz they have preservatives.
2007-08-23 14:39:42 · answer #10 · answered by Butterfly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋