BABY’S READINESS
Every baby develops at his or her own pace, but some common changes and behaviors can indicate a readiness for solid foods.
Be on the lookout for:
•Baby holding up head
•Chewing motion
•Doubled birth weight
•Ability to sit in high chair
•Curiosity about food
•Hunger after liquid feeding (breast milk/formula)
•Teething
•Accepts food rather than pushing food out with tongue
The first solid food to introduce is cereal. Start with rice, barley, or oatmeal when baby is about 6 months. Once baby has been successfully eating cereal, the next solid to introduce is vegetables so the baby has a chance to develop a taste for these before getting a “sweet tooth” from fruit. Next, introduce fruits, followed by meat and poultry.
GETTING STARTED
TIPS AND HINTS FOR BABY FOOD
The Baby Food Maker & Bottle Warmer is an excellent tool for puréeing and steaming fruits and vegetables. Blending the steaming liquid right into the food allows for optimal nutrient retention. We give a guide with water amounts intended for the smoothest purées – adjust water amounts if a thicker consistency is desired.
Introduce new foods one at a time. Serve only that type of food for at least 3 days be- fore beginning another to be sure baby is not allergic. Once baby has been introduced to different foods, mix and match to make great combinations. For example, oat cereal and fruit, sweet potatoes and apple, or chicken with carrots.
When introducing a new food, if baby doesn’t accept it, and does not have any adverse reaction, try again in a few days. Certain foods should be avoided for a period of time because of their highly allergenic properties. Parents with history of allergies should be extra cautious.
The following foods should be avoided until after 12 months of age:
• Honey | • Whole milk |
• Corn | • Raw berries |
• Egg whites | • Citrus |
• Wheat | (or other highly |
• Soy | acidic fruits) |
The following foods should be avoided until after 24 months of age:
•Peanuts/peanut butter
•Tree nuts
•Shellfish
Always use the freshest ingredients, organic if possible. First stage baby food should not be seasoned or sweetened. Save time by preparing larger portions and freezing in airtight containers. Never refreeze any food that has been previously frozen.
Certain foods that can be a choking hazard should also be avoided, including, but not limited to, grapes, raw carrots, raisins (and other small dry fruits), candy, hot dogs, pop- corn, and large pieces of meat. Vegetables that are high in nitrates, like spinach, turnips, carrots, and beets, should be offered in lim- ited quantities at a time. Baby will be ready for finger foods when he or she has achieved all the behaviors indicating a readiness for solid foods, around 8 months. Additionally, baby can transfer items from hand to hand, has more constant chewing motion, and puts “everything” into the mouth!
PREPARING THE FOOD
Size
Always cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces of even size – about ½ inch (12mm) to a side. If you don’t start with pieces that are small and uniform, you will not get an even chop.
Quantity
Do not overload the work bowl. Overloading causes inconsistent results and it strains the motor. Use the quantities given in the user guide and capacity chart or recipe section as a guide.
Adding Liquids
You can add water, breast milk or formula to control the consistency of your baby food.
OPERATION
STEAMING FOOD
1. Press the release button on the cover of
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