Starting solids

I have been out looking and where I live they don't seem to carry baby food in plain varieties - like plain carrots, sweet potatoes or pees - all I can find is mixed foods, like vegetable, chicken & vegetable, pear & plum. Most of them say stage 1 foods - which means that is what you feed them first. But I am confused I thought you were suppose to intro foods one at time to watch for potential allergies.
Does this mean I am stuck making my own food, or do others feed their babies mixed foods as their first foods?

 

I have no idea! I started with one ingrediant at a time, but if you don't have a lot of allergies in your family I guess you can use the mixes. From what I've heard making your own baby food isn't all that difficult either (I'm sure the mommas who did this can weigh in here). Or maybe you can ask the manager of the store to order some single ingrediant stage 1 foods. GL!

 

I was told single foods only. So that is what I have been doing. The pedi said that is the only way to know what is potentially causing an allergic reaction. Good luck- I hope you find something that works for you!

 

You could make your own. It's really easy to say, get a bag of frozen peas, cook them up and then puree them in a magic bullet, blender or food processor (add a bit of water to desired consistancy). Then if you have extra, you can put it in little jars or freezer bags and freeze it!

 

Are you looking at a grocery store or a discount store? I was just looking at Walmart and they have single ingredient ones. Our grocery stores are pretty small, so I'm guessing the choices are more limited there. I was actually looking just to see what the price is for them. Eeek! At $1.08 a tub, I will be making my own. We'll only use the purchased stuff for convenience while traveling.

 

I make all my own food. We bought a couple of jars once when we were going to be in airports. Making it is so easy and I control the quality and texture and I'm the one touching their food - nobody else (I have issues...I know). This is a great place to start reading up on it if you're interested.

One food at a time is best and don't introduce more than one food every 4 days to make sure there are no reactions.

 

QUOTE(girls! @ Jul 12 2008, 09:01 AM) [snapback]872919[/snapback]
I make all my own food. We bought a couple of jars once when we were going to be in airports. Making it is so easy and I control the quality and texture and I'm the one touching their food - nobody else (I have issues...I know). This is a great place to start reading up on it if you're interested.

One food at a time is best and don't introduce more than one food every 4 days to make sure there are no reactions.


AWESOME website on making homemade baby food! Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for!

 

If you are looking to buy food, most baby food websites have a store locator on them. Maybe that would help?

Gerber store locator

Beechnut store locator

 

OP just moved oversea's so I don't think some pp's suggestions apply, unfortunately! I would try and stick to one ingrediant foods, but particularly with more allergenic fruits/veggies (peach, strawberry, kiwi, legumes). It is pretty easy to make lots of your own babyfood as pp's have said, and then you can continue to look for other sources of pre-made babyfood

 

Would you be open to making your own? Its great for your baby, you know EXACTLY what they are eating, and just one afternoon of making food will last you for a few months. I make all mine freeze it in ice trays and then pop them in a bag and freeze. Viola, you have cubes perfectly portioned and it only takes 15 sec in a microwave.

 

You are correct as I live overseas now the availability of products is more limited then what I thought it would be! Looks like I will be making my own food - I am not very handy in the kitchen so this should be interesting!

 

yeah my Pedi and I have the same philosophy. There isnt' any proof that the pattern of introduction would change the outcome of allergy to a food. Since there is no allergies in my family we tried everything and in no order. My girls were months into eating before they had "just carrots". I'm a nurse and write out people's allergies and never seen a carrot allergy or bean allergy. I think carrots are just as sweet as apple sauce so I don't think the veggies first rule applies either. My girls have rarely had the same meal. It is a mixture of yogurt/custard sweet potato, carrots, heck the kitchen sink. I think of other countries and how they introduce their foods.

I'm ok with people disagreeing, it is just how I've decided to do things. I'd recommend a hand blender - peel whatever put it into the microwave and blend. The older they get the less you puree. Let them see you eat (pedi advice) and when they are older - mine are 8 months ... start to let them eat off your plate.

All the best to you.