Journey into the Unknown

unknown world of solid foods that is.  So at the 6 month Dr's visit, the pediatrician said we should start the baby on solids maybe 2x a day..baby puree optional.  Just mash the food up - the baby needs to learn to chew.  Pureed food makes a baby lazy.  This puree thing is a trend that they didn't have 100 years ago.. (Our Dr's office is very holistic and the such - they even space out vaccinations so that the baby doesn't get more that 2 vaccines a visit. That is something they do automatically - not something you have to request - and it made me feel more comfortable about vaccines.)  The only thing they can't eat until they are a year old is honey (due to botulism), otherwise don't be afraid.  Don't fear food allergies - you don't have to wait 3 days before trying a new food because it takes a shorter time span if the baby actually does have allergies.  Give them anything except maybe a whole grape because they'll choke on that. ha that's a joke - lighten up, parents. And serve it with water since the food is not liquidy like the baby is used to.  The doc did say baby cereal is filler so no point in giving baby empty carbs - better to give them veggies and fruits and things with nutritional value.  They would probably choke on a whole peanut too so we're focusing in on the softer textured foods.We actually did receive a Baby Brezza as a present.  That is a food processor for babies.  I have yet to try it and even though the doctor said pureeing isn't necessary, it seems like it would be better and easier for the baby to handle.  I could also make a giant batch of food and store it in the freezer.  You can't make small single servings with a Baby Brezza. Besides pureeing, i think the thing also steams and cooks food too, all in one.

The other question was - how much food do you give a baby?  Doc's answer: the baby will let you know when they're done so don't really need to worry yourself with amount.   As a new parent, this all seems so foreign and a bit daunting.  I guess the doctor's point is that you need to ease up.  This is all natural and has been done since the dawn of time.  You don't need to stress about it. 

She did warn us that what comes in must come out so there would be some very interesting #2's...

So far, the baby likes applesauce, plain hummus (lemon hummus was a bust - too spicy maybe) and avocado.  I tried mashing strawberries and bananas into the applesauce, and he gagged trying to eat it.  This morning I tried greek yogurt with a little bit of smashed up bananas.  He didn't like it.  Also gagged.  Maybe too sour?  I'll probably try it again with more banana less yogurt. We did buy some organic baby food - so far we tried oatmeal with apples and pears and he seemed to like it.  He tried a little ice cream and he of course liked that (you know he's mine if he luvs ice cream) but that's not something we can really feed him daily.  I guess we just have to keep trying to give him whatever we're eating that's mashable and hopefully he'll continue trying and tasting and liking all types of foods.