Starting Solids

Hi All,

Hope my previous posts were helpful. Today i'd be discussing some good ideas about starting solids.

As soon as my princess turned Four months I started giving her solids and semi solids despite the pediatrician's warnings against starting before Sixth month :)

So here is a list of things babies can eat when they start solids

1. First and foremost the most easiest and quickest to prepare is Cerelac :) There are a lot of interesting fruity flavors available, check out at you local stores and always check for suitable flavor according to your baby's age.
   
   
2. Ready made baby food is also available (for example from Gerber) but i don't prefer them, thats my personal choice though if you want, you can try.
   
   
3. Oreo Banana
   This is my very own recent invention :D One day when Ifrah was not eating anything i had to invent this. Take one oreo dissolve it in some milk and also add a mashed banana. It will look like a brown and yellowy paste but my princess enjoyed it :P
   But also note that bananas can be included in diet preferably after 6 months, not before.
   
   
4. Sooper biscuit in Milk (just make a paste). This is a quick eatable meal (in evenings). I used fresh milk always but you can use formula milk which your baby takes.
   
   
5. Khichree
   Take some rice and yellow moong ki daal. Boil them till rice and daal become very soft, add a little salt. Blend in the food processor.
   Also note, one should not put salt in food for little babies but i used to give her khichree with salt and a little black pepper so that she is used to eating a bit spice ;) But always add a little pepper first and check ur child's reaction.
   In this khichree i used to add a little boiled chicken too when my baby grew up till 7 months.
   
   
6. Suji
   First bhuno the suji a little and then add in some milk and sugar. The suji ki kheer should be light in consistency for the baby to swallow easily. But my Iffi likes the conventional suji ka halwa better than her own version of suji ki kheer now :P
   
   
7. Quaker Oats
   Just follow the packet instructions and you have a delicious and nutritious breakfast for the whole family :)
   
   
8. Custards and puddings. Yes young ones love to eat sweet things like custards and puddings. I used to make a stock of it for the grown-ups to eat too :P
   
   
9. Mashed Potatoes
   Boil a potato mash and add a little salt and pepper. I also used to add a little cheese or butter to make a paste.
   
   
10. Boiled Eggs
    Boil an egg, mash it and add a little salt and pepper. Since now my Ifrah is really grown up MashaAllah, I spread her mashed boiled eggs on a bread and also add cheese, for breakfast :) But sometimes she doesn't like it :(
    
    
11. Fruits juices is a good option, specially orange juice. Apples can be pureed a bit.
    
    
12. Also veggies can be boiled or pureed before feeding.
    
    
13. Finger foods. When Ifrah learned how to pick things up from the floor I used to give her her own cartoon bowl full of cereal, or biscuits (broken in 5 to 6 pieces). She loves to eat with her own hands :) and this makes meal times very messy :)
    

The above list is just a reference to start. There can be really many other possible things u can feed your baby with. There is no hard and fast rule. But always beware of any allergies your baby can have. Always try a new fruit or vegetable in small quantity in the morning so that you can monitor your baby's health throughout the day. Some babies are allergic to eggs, nuts and meat.

If any sign of allergy develops (fever, rashes) then consult your child's doctor.

I started giving even table food in small morsels to my Iffi at the tender age of 6-7 months and she used to love it more than her own baby food. You can also try but always in small quantity and check if no stomach problems arise.

Bon Apetit!