Rice cereal or other?

Lisadi · February 2011

Can you tell, I've been missing the Bump? Big Smile

I have a couple of weeks until our 4 month appointment, but have been reading a few things on starting solids. I glanced in the Baby Whisper book and see that she recommends starting on smashed pears instead of the rice cereal.

Has anyone else done this? I was curious if that was more of a British thing, or if anyone else's pedi has o.k.'d this?

Ananke · February 2011

Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

crazgrljes · February 2011

Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

I've never heard of doing this and it's very interesting! So, have you or when will you start with solids? And what exactly can LO eat, if not cereals, purees and mashed foods?

Verbose · February 2011

My pedi does not like cereals. Actually, the whole service doesn't advise them unless there is a reflux/weight issue. He told us to start with avocado (when we're ready to start solids).

tct1219 · February 2011

Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

me too. aside from wanting to do things as naturally as possible, i just don't feel comfortable with white rice cereal because of the poor nutritional value.

i would look into your options and just see what you feel comfortable trying. i haven't read it all yet but this book is supposed to be good. here's a link that is a kind of overview of the process. i've heard lots of good feedback from people i know who tried quinoa flakes.

Ananke · February 2011

crazgrljes:
Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.
I've never heard of doing this and it's very interesting! So, have you or when will you start with solids? And what exactly can LO eat, if not cereals, purees and mashed foods?

You can start with just about anything. We make sure it's soft, something he can grip, and the right size - not so big he can't bring it to his mouth, but not so small it's a choking hazard. His first solid was curry stew - he mainly ate the broth, but also nommed on the veggies a little. He's also had whole bananas, carrots, avocado, eggplant, mashed potatoes, potato soup, spaghetti sauce, raw leek (mostly for teething, but he liked the taste too!), and a few other various foods off our plates. Basically, I just let him take the lead and don't shove anything in his face. If he eats, great, if not, that's fine too. He still doesn't manage to swallow a ton, and he usually needs a bath after, but he's gaining a healthy relationship with food, and he gets to be a part of the family dinner. It makes for great photos too!

Oh, and we started just shy of 5 months. I let him tell me when he was ready instead of the calendar though.

AshtonMain · February 2011

Ananke:
crazgrljes:

Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

I've never heard of doing this and it's very interesting! So, have you or when will you start with solids? And what exactly can LO eat, if not cereals, purees and mashed foods?

You can start with just about anything. We make sure it's soft, something he can grip, and the right size - not so big he can't bring it to his mouth, but not so small it's a choking hazard. His first solid was curry stew - he mainly ate the broth, but also nommed on the veggies a little. He's also had whole bananas, carrots, avocado, eggplant, mashed potatoes, potato soup, spaghetti sauce, raw leek (mostly for teething, but he liked the taste too!), and a few other various foods off our plates. Basically, I just let him take the lead and don't shove anything in his face. If he eats, great, if not, that's fine too. He still doesn't manage to swallow a ton, and he usually needs a bath after, but he's gaining a healthy relationship with food, and he gets to be a part of the family dinner. It makes for great photos too!

Oh, and we started just shy of 5 months. I let him tell me when he was ready instead of the calendar though.

This sounds awesome! We have our 4 month appt Tuesday. I'm going to bring this up. I really don't want to start solids until 6 mo or so, but I like the idea of letting him tell us when he's ready. Does this mean, when he seems interested in what we're eating? Right now, DS isn't holding anything in his hands. He grasps at toys, but doesn't hold them. He is also completely clueless that we're eating.

Ananke · February 2011

kathiegarrett:
Ananke:
crazgrljes:

Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

I've never heard of doing this and it's very interesting! So, have you or when will you start with solids? And what exactly can LO eat, if not cereals, purees and mashed foods?

You can start with just about anything. We make sure it's soft, something he can grip, and the right size - not so big he can't bring it to his mouth, but not so small it's a choking hazard. His first solid was curry stew - he mainly ate the broth, but also nommed on the veggies a little. He's also had whole bananas, carrots, avocado, eggplant, mashed potatoes, potato soup, spaghetti sauce, raw leek (mostly for teething, but he liked the taste too!), and a few other various foods off our plates. Basically, I just let him take the lead and don't shove anything in his face. If he eats, great, if not, that's fine too. He still doesn't manage to swallow a ton, and he usually needs a bath after, but he's gaining a healthy relationship with food, and he gets to be a part of the family dinner. It makes for great photos too!

Oh, and we started just shy of 5 months. I let him tell me when he was ready instead of the calendar though.

This sounds awesome! We have our 4 month appt Tuesday. I'm going to bring this up. I really don't want to start solids until 6 mo or so, but I like the idea of letting him tell us when he's ready. Does this mean, when he seems interested in what we're eating? Right now, DS isn't holding anything in his hands. He grasps at toys, but doesn't hold them. He is also completely clueless that we're eating.

There's actually a list of signs that babies should give before any solids: ability to sit unsupported or lightly supported, brings objects to his mouth, loses the tongue thrust reflex, and interest in food. But, just because they are interested, doesn't mean they are ready - LO is probably interested in lots of things you do! This method is called Baby Led Weaning (or Solids). I recommend the book PP suggested, and there's lots of info online too!

AshtonMain · February 2011

Ananke:
kathiegarrett:
Ananke:
crazgrljes:

Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

I've never heard of doing this and it's very interesting! So, have you or when will you start with solids? And what exactly can LO eat, if not cereals, purees and mashed foods?

You can start with just about anything. We make sure it's soft, something he can grip, and the right size - not so big he can't bring it to his mouth, but not so small it's a choking hazard. His first solid was curry stew - he mainly ate the broth, but also nommed on the veggies a little. He's also had whole bananas, carrots, avocado, eggplant, mashed potatoes, potato soup, spaghetti sauce, raw leek (mostly for teething, but he liked the taste too!), and a few other various foods off our plates. Basically, I just let him take the lead and don't shove anything in his face. If he eats, great, if not, that's fine too. He still doesn't manage to swallow a ton, and he usually needs a bath after, but he's gaining a healthy relationship with food, and he gets to be a part of the family dinner. It makes for great photos too!

Oh, and we started just shy of 5 months. I let him tell me when he was ready instead of the calendar though.

This sounds awesome! We have our 4 month appt Tuesday. I'm going to bring this up. I really don't want to start solids until 6 mo or so, but I like the idea of letting him tell us when he's ready. Does this mean, when he seems interested in what we're eating? Right now, DS isn't holding anything in his hands. He grasps at toys, but doesn't hold them. He is also completely clueless that we're eating.

There's actually a list of signs that babies should give before any solids: ability to sit unsupported or lightly supported, brings objects to his mouth, loses the tongue thrust reflex, and interest in food. But, just because they are interested, doesn't mean they are ready - LO is probably interested in lots of things you do! This method is called Baby Led Weaning (or Solids). I recommend the book PP suggested, and there's lots of info online too!

Awesome! Thank you!!

jenna3016 · February 2011

Ananke:
There's actually a list of signs that babies should give before any solids: ability to sit unsupported or lightly supported, brings objects to his mouth, loses the tongue thrust reflex, and interest in food. But, just because they are interested, doesn't mean they are ready - LO is probably interested in lots of things you do! This method is called Baby Led Weaning (or Solids). I recommend the book PP suggested, and there's lots of info online too!

Thanks for all the info.

Britty685 · February 2011

Ananke:
crazgrljes:

Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

I've never heard of doing this and it's very interesting! So, have you or when will you start with solids? And what exactly can LO eat, if not cereals, purees and mashed foods?

You can start with just about anything. We make sure it's soft, something he can grip, and the right size - not so big he can't bring it to his mouth, but not so small it's a choking hazard. His first solid was curry stew - he mainly ate the broth, but also nommed on the veggies a little. He's also had whole bananas, carrots, avocado, eggplant, mashed potatoes, potato soup, spaghetti sauce, raw leek (mostly for teething, but he liked the taste too!), and a few other various foods off our plates. Basically, I just let him take the lead and don't shove anything in his face. If he eats, great, if not, that's fine too. He still doesn't manage to swallow a ton, and he usually needs a bath after, but he's gaining a healthy relationship with food, and he gets to be a part of the family dinner. It makes for great photos too!

Oh, and we started just shy of 5 months. I let him tell me when he was ready instead of the calendar though.

Not criticizing, just curious. If LO has a reaction wouldn't it be difficult to tell what the reaction was from? There are so many seasonings and different ingredients in this. Also, my pedi recommends feeding the same thing for a solid 3-7 days to rule out an allergy.

If he's doing well thats really awesome. I guess I'm just a worry wart even though neither DH or I have food allergies. I want to be on the safe side.

Rice cereal is not meant to be their sole nutrition. I do appreciate the cereals phase because DD is M-E-S-S-Y. It will get better when she gets some practice in, but for now I'm cool with her eating cereal and getting her nutrition from formula.

Ananke · February 2011

Britty685:
Ananke:
crazgrljes:

Ananke:
Were skipping cereals, purees and mashed foods all together! Many other countries around the world skip these things and just start with regular table food! So much more laid back - no extra prep, baby feeds himself, and it's less expensive! My pedi was fine with starting on just about anything, as long as we stay away from things like honey.

I've never heard of doing this and it's very interesting! So, have you or when will you start with solids? And what exactly can LO eat, if not cereals, purees and mashed foods?

You can start with just about anything. We make sure it's soft, something he can grip, and the right size - not so big he can't bring it to his mouth, but not so small it's a choking hazard. His first solid was curry stew - he mainly ate the broth, but also nommed on the veggies a little. He's also had whole bananas, carrots, avocado, eggplant, mashed potatoes, potato soup, spaghetti sauce, raw leek (mostly for teething, but he liked the taste too!), and a few other various foods off our plates. Basically, I just let him take the lead and don't shove anything in his face. If he eats, great, if not, that's fine too. He still doesn't manage to swallow a ton, and he usually needs a bath after, but he's gaining a healthy relationship with food, and he gets to be a part of the family dinner. It makes for great photos too!

Oh, and we started just shy of 5 months. I let him tell me when he was ready instead of the calendar though.

Not criticizing, just curious. If LO has a reaction wouldn't it be difficult to tell what the reaction was from? There are so many seasonings and different ingredients in this. Also, my pedi recommends feeding the same thing for a solid 3-7 days to rule out an allergy.

If he's doing well thats really awesome. I guess I'm just a worry wart even though neither DH or I have food allergies. I want to be on the safe side.

Rice cereal is not meant to be their sole nutrition. I do appreciate the cereals phase because DD is M-E-S-S-Y. It will get better when she gets some practice in, but for now I'm cool with her eating cereal and getting her nutrition from formula.

Yes, it might be difficult, but I'm really not too worried about allergies. But, if it happens, we'll stay away from the entire seasoning/food blend for a while, and then reintroduce them one at a time later on down the road. There's a list someone posted for me on the AP forum that gives a lot of the beneficial aspects of spices, so really the benefits outweigh the possibility of an allergy to foods/spices that aren't a common allergen. He's also only eating such a small amount, I doubt he'd get enough to make too much of an effect.

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