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Introducing Solid Foods to Baby's DietMaking Healthy First Meals for Baby
Here are some tips on how to introduce new foods to your 4-6 month old, the basic recipes for making each food, and safe storage tips for these foods.
When introducing solid foods in your baby's diet, you have a lot ot think about. Watching for an allergic reaction, knowing that your baby is eating healthy food, and knowing how to safely store those new foods safely are just a few concerns that parents have today. Watching for an Allergic ReactionWhen introducing new foods to your 4-6 month old, it is important to introduce only one food at a time, leaving approximatly 4-7 days between new foods to watch for a reaction. Reactions to watch for include a bullseye rash on baby's bottom, a rash on face, diarrhea, increased fussiness, and increased gas. When deciding what food to introduce, avoid giving baby eggs, honey and cow milk before her first birthday. Also avoid any other foods that family members may be allergic to, as allergies can run in a family. Allowing a baby's digestive system to mature a little longer before introducing those foods may help prevent an alergic reaction. Bananas, applesauce and rice cereal, although common first solid foods for baby, may cause constipation. If your baby seems to become constipated from the new solid foods in her diet, try these foods that are high in fiber and may help: apricots, prunes, peaches, plums, pears, and peas. Healthy Foods for Baby to EatThese baby food recipes never need to have any salt or sugar added. Feel free to thin any puree with water, breast milk or formula or thicken with rice cereal to achieve desired consistency. Banana Puree Peal a ripe banana, mash it to desired texture. You should not need a blender for this. Avocado Puree Avocados do not need to be cooked. Simply peel, remove the pit, and mash the meat. You should not need a blender for this. Pear Puree Peal the pear, cut it into pieces and steam cook it until tender. Place the fruit in a blender or food processor and puree. Sweet Potato Puree Wash the potato and poke holes in it with a fork. Wrap the potato in plastic wrap and microwave it for 5-10 minutes or until tender. Remove the skin, place in blender or food processor and puree. Applesauce Puree Peel, core, and dice desired number of apples. Steam the apples in a small amount of water on stove. When tender, use blender or food processor to puree. Green Bean or Pea Puree Fresh beans: snap ends off, and wash. Steam them until tender; puree in blender. Fresh peas: open pod and scrap peas out. Steam them until tender; puree in blender. Frozen beans or peas: cook according to directions on packaging; puree in blender. Tip: blender often works better than food processor for beans and peas. Carrot Puree Peel and cut carrots into pieces. Steam them until tender, then puree in blender. Safe Storage of Home Made Baby FoodStore the homemade baby food in your refrigerator for up to 48 hours, or your freezer for up to two months. Freeze food in ice cube trays for easy portions. Be careful when heating baby food in the microwave as foods may heat unevenly. Remember when feeding your baby solid foods to keep a keen eye for a reaction, introduce healthy foods and store those foods safely. Watch your baby for cues that she wants more and that she is done, and do not force your baby to overeat.
The copyright of the article Introducing Solid Foods to Baby's Diet in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Jennifer Wagaman. Permission to republish Introducing Solid Foods to Baby's Diet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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