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The transition from breast milk or formula to solids marks a milestone for both you and your baby. Since the process is rarely
quick, and not always easy, we asked our BabyCenter members to share their tips. Although some may contradict your pediatrician's
advice for example, not everyone waits six months before introducing solids we think you'll appreciate reading these tricks
of the trade.
"I started solids with my second child at about 6 months, when he appeared interested in what we ate. We started
with really ripe bananas, mashed with a fork. Then we tried sweet potatoes. We would bake them, scoop out the insides and
mash that, adding liquid if necessary. I would scrape a spoon over a soft peeled apple and feed him that. I steamed or stewed
other fruits and veggies, then processed them in a food processor and froze them in ice cube trays.
"We made oatmeal (from real rolled oats that were blended in the food processor) and real rice. When we started meats,
we took his portion and cooked it without seasonings. Then we used a baby food grinder (I found it at a garage sale for about
$1) to grind up the meat. After a while, he would eat what we had for dinner, ground up in the grinder. Pot roast was fabulous!"
"When she was 2 months old, my daughter, Hayden, developed a vomiting problem. Although cereal is not usually introduced
until the fourth or fifth month, her pediatrician recommended that we start her on rice cereal and change her formula to soy.
She took to the cereal right away and her vomiting has almost completely subsided! I don't know if it is the cereal or the
soy or a combination of both, but it is great! She eats 4 ounces of cereal twice a day and is growing like a weed."
Tracy Draper Autry, Tahoka, Texas
"My biggest coup was always giving him the food at room temperature. He never knew that it tasted better hot and
it saved me the time of having to heat up food whenever we traveled or went out to eat."
Virginia Franco, Ashland, Virginia
"My daughter, Athena Colleen, started solids a mixture of wheat and rice cereal at about 5 months. At 5 1/2 to 6
months, with my doctor's approval, she started with fruits and then vegetables. Here's one feeding tip that I just discovered
last night: Make sure you don't feed your baby directly from the jar, as their saliva can mix with the food and make it taste
bad. I put Athena's food in a mug rather than a bowl so that I can feed her more easily. It works like a charm!"
Jill Ann Hills, Colorado Springs, Colorado
"My baby is 41/2 months old, and I started him on cereal at 3 months. He did not like it, but I kept trying until
finally he decided to eat it. I deliberately gave him vegetables before fruits to keep away that sweet tooth. Now he eats
anything actually, he loves green beans and peas! I have talked to other parents who gave fruits first and now their child
eats only some sweet veggies. I think feeding your child vegetables first is key!"
Mia Lowry, Tehuacana, Texas
"My son Ian is 18 months old. He cut his first two teeth around 4 months, and not long after that we started him
on baby cereal. He didn't really get into eating solids for another month after that, but once he got a taste of all there
was to eat, there was no going back."
Karen Belair, Denver, Colorado
"There were two signs that my son was ready to begin solids: teeth and interest. It is a good idea to wait until
your baby gets his / her first tooth. My son got his first tooth at 5 months and began showing interest in what his father
and I were eating shortly thereafter. At about 6 months, he was reaching for our food. It was time to break out the food processor.
"I made all of his food from the day he starting eating solids. It does take more time, but I like to know exactly
what is in the food that my son eats. I used fresh fruits and vegetables as they came into season. After I pureed them in
the food processor, I would pour it into ice cube trays. This made convenient portions that were easy to thaw (but never in
the microwave!). My son is now 17 months old and loves his fruits and vegetables. His favorites are avocados, blueberries,
and sweet potatoes."
Jennifer McCleary, Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania
"I hear a lot of people say things like 'My child doesn't like that,' with regard to particular foods. We never rule
out any food as something that Shannon, now 27 months, doesn't like. We fix her a plate of exactly what we are eating. Sometimes
she cleans it and sometimes she throws it. But we just keep offering everything. Eventually she has tried and often liked
everything, even things like broccoli and zucchini and shrimp.
"Another thing that saves me a lot of time (and I think prevents bad habits) is that we never make her a separate
meal. If she doesn't like what we have, she gets cold cereal. It's easy and nutritious."
Karen Mo, Atwater, California
"As a first-time mom, I wondered what and when my 5-month-old baby boy should eat. He started chowing down cereal
(1 teaspoon) at 3 months. Gradually, we gave him a little more cereal until about 4 months. Then we started him on solids.
I thought he'd enjoy carrots because they're sweet, but he didn't. He does like sweet potatoes, squash, peas, and green beans.
I've learned that I have to catch him when he's hungry but not starving for him to be receptive to solids; otherwise he prefers
the bottle.
"Remember that babies need to learn how to eat baby food. His daycare provider distracts him with toys so he'll eat
but I prefer to have him focus on the different textures and tastes. If he's not in the mood to eat solids, I don't force
him or distract him. I simply offer it to him at another time. I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing or not, but I think
he'll eventually catch on."
Lin Hammer, Aliso Viejo, California
"By far the best thing I ever did with the birth of my second child was buy the book Super Baby Food, by Ruth Yaron.
The book has everything one could want to know about feeding a baby. It lists nearly every fruit and vegetable with advice
about choosing produce, storing and preparing it, and at what age your baby should eat it. It has a monthly guide to what
foods you should offer your baby and a Sample Daily Feeding Schedule for each month. There are also hundreds of toddler recipes,
tips about health, hygiene, and safety, and a quick reference index for the most used sections. This book rarely left my hands!"
Julie Grove, Omro, Wisconsin
"I have several tricks for getting my now-21/2-year-old to eat his veggies: Make smoothies and toss in some pureed
veggies. His favorite is strawberries, blueberries, vanilla yogurt, pureed beets, and carrots. It sounds less than appetizing
but it tastes great!
Each week I bake a meatloaf or turkey meatloaf and use slices for lunches and dinners during the week (it's easy for my
sitter as well). I toss in some pureed veggies or even a jar or two of baby food.
Each week I also make a chicken soup with rice and more pureed veggies. My son loves soups.
I have a wok and use low-calorie Canola oil to make vegetable tempura. I stir-fry yams, beans, anything and he loves them
because they taste like fries.
I buy dried veggies from an organic produce store and pack them into his lunch. They have no additives and just a splash
of sea salt. They're a great alternative to chips."
Karyn Schussler, Mill Valley, California
"Be very careful about microwaving your child's food. The center could be cold while the edges are burning hot."
Darcy Castle, Denver, Colorado
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