Six Months: First Foods

First Foods

Rice Cereal: most baby food manufacturers make a basic rice cereal that is fortified with iron and a myriad of other vitamins.  Ask your doctor if they prefer a brand or simply pick up two and compare what percentage of the daily recommended allotment of vitamins that they contain, if you cannot decide, buy both, as your son or daughter may have a preference, as some cereals are more coarse.  Mix the cereal with breast milk or formula to the desired consistency.  The side of the box will have a guide for you but you are basically seeking the consistence of water at the first meal.  Get your camera ready for the first bite. 

After 3-4 days of the rice cereal, consider introducing ripe avocado or banana.  Avocados are considered to be a “complete food” and the most nutritious fruit in the world; they are a good source of Vitamin E, iron, folic acid (a major ingredient in your pre-natal vitamin) and aid in the absorption of nutrients.  Bananas are great for energy and can help to stop diarrhea, which is a handy tool to have available.   Best yet, neither have to be cooked and mash easily with a fork, though they may need to be thinned. 



Notice the dark, wrinkled skin in the picture, as it, plus the ability to squeeze the fruit means that it is ripe.

Tip: If you are not familiar with avocados, do not be intimidated.  A ripe avocado will “give” to pressure, not unlike a ripe peach.  To cut, hold it length-wise in one hand and put the full blade of the knife into the center of the avocado until you contact the pit.  Turn the knife around the entire avocado.  Once you have an incision, grab the top half in one hand and the bottom in another and twist.  To save the fruit, simply place the halves back together or, if they are a staple in your household, buy as "avocado saver."  Avocados, much like bananas, will brown in the refrigerator, so I will generally scrape off the top when serving on the second day.

Info: You should note that avocado, banana, kiwi, and latex have similar proteins and an allergy to one may indicate an allergy to another.  Consult your physician.

These are great first foods because though they give fiber, they are easily digested and babies generally like the mild taste.  If the first exposure is not a success, always remember that is may take up to fifteen exposures to a food before a baby deems it familiar and likes it.  They also have a smooth texture that can be mixed with other foods to help introduce them to a baby with texture issues.  So as to insure optimum iron absorption, I like to mix my son’s rice cereal in his mashed banana or avocado, which gives him flavor and helps his body absorb the iron.