Food Ideas

  Food ideas for babies and small children are very much needed by new mothers but this essential information is often not supplied especially if they do not have a supportive network to rely on.

  The first solid foods should be given after baby is 6 months old. Before then, they should obtain all the nutrition they require from mother's milk or formula.

What should be baby's first food?

  Fruit is a good choice baby food as it is natural and easy to prepare for caregivers. Babies like the soft texture baby food and it is all natural with nature's goodness.

Some examples are:

• mashed ripe bananas
• stewed apples

  Rice Cereal is the next good choice of baby food as it is more easily digested than wheat products. A smooth creamy texture can be made easily with water.

Other good easy foods are:

• Oatmeal
• Rice pudding
• Rice cereals made smooth and creamy
• Mashed potatoes
• Other cereals
• Soft fruits

Yoghurt is also more easily digested before cow's milk.

When to give baby straight cow's milk?

• About 9 months of age. However, some babies tolerate goat's milk much better.

Meat and Vegetables: purees, stewed fruits can be made in large quantities, placed in ice-cube trays, frozen and stored in freezer containers for easy take-away food for outings or shopping trips.

  The next section will cover FOOD IDEAS FOR BABY, recipes that will delight your baby.

A Note on Microwaves:

  Warming milk bottles inside the microwave can cause scalding of baby's throat as milk heats up unevenly inside the microwave.