Moving onto solids - Puree

Moving onto solids - ages 6 months up

For me this was always a rather daunting time as I was not that sure on how to introduce solids, what quantity, what combinations etc.

Fortunately from our research and my own personal experience what I found to work is simply buying vegetables such as sweet potato, butternut, (basically the sweet vegetables). These mainly contain good levels of vitamins and minerals so you know your little one is receiving all the goodness needed.

If you find that your little one has become accustomed to "jar" food (instant baby food), they may not want to eat your delicious home-cooked food! Not surprisingly as homemade food can be boring (as it is more nutritious and does not have all the added sweetners and preservatives). What you can try and do is slowly introduce your homemade food with the "jar" food and slowing increase your food until there is no more bought food. Basically letting your little one become more accustomed to the taste of your food.

Combinations that you can try are:

• ·         Sweet potato and squash
•  Carrot and potato or butternut with a very ripe pear.
• Sweet vegetables such as carrot, pureed with fish or chicken is also sometimes a favourite with babies.

 To puree – I used to simply steam the veggies (either the microwave with a tiny bit of water / or even better if you have a steamer) – once soft enough you can often simply mash them with a fork. Alternatively place in a blender to create the right consistency.

If you are a working mom and don’t always have the time to make at each meal – you can make a batch and then freeze it. You can get food cubes to place the food in before you freeze. Make for a week at a time - that way you don't have to worry about the days you only get in a bit later. Remember to label the containers with the combination and date. That way you can also see what your little one likes and doesn't. Plus the date so that you do not keep food in the freezer for too long.

 I know we sell these cubes on our Kidz Boutique (in sizes 40ml; 70ml and 140ml) these are great as they are already in sizes that you can then work with for each meal. http://www.kidezeboutique.co.za/shop/baby-cubes-70ml/ Alternatively you can simply place in freezer containers of your own. 

How much to feed at each meal?

I know my concern was always how much do you need to make give at each meal? If you buy the veggies in cubes you can probably look to steaming about 2-4 cubes at each meal – once mashed they make enough for a meal.

If you want to introduce fruit into your little one’s diet – here are some combinations that you can try and that don’t need to be cooked:

•  Avocado and banana or pear (I would suggest you use ¼ - ½ of a small ripe avocado / ¼ - ½ small ripe banana (or pear) – mash together until smooth.
• Banana and mango (I suggest you peel ¼ - ½ small ripe mango and mash this in with ¼ - ½ small ripe banana) mash again till smooth.

 Please  remember not to add sugar or salt to your little one’s diet. All the vitamins and minerals are in the fruit and vegetables already.

Hope these tips help?

Regards

Lynne