Talk to me about starting solids...

The ped. gave the go ahead to start w. rice cereal once a day then week after add oatmeal or barley and then go to mixed. She also said after the first week I can introduce bananas, apples, or pears in the cereal.
Questions:
1) Can I do them alone too? Is he too young (he's about 4.5 months)? My mom thinks if I don't do it alone and always add to cereal, he'll get used to sweetened stuff and won't get the taste of the fruit alone KWIM?

2) I'm planning to make my own food - for the bananas - I know I just mash it, but pear and apples - I have a recipe for the puree - put with water on stove then puree (i have the Kidco mill). How much do I add to the cereal - just a Tablespoon? Can I freeze the rest?

3) How did your DC do introducing solids if they were also teething at the same time?

TIA!

Re: Talk to me about starting solids...

There's a great website http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ that will answer a lot of your questions I started DD on cereal first without any fruits. Then after 4 days on each, I slowly introduced fruits. To make your own, you can steam pretty much anything (again, the website is good for when to introduce what fruits/veggies) and then use a blender/food processor to puree. Yes, you can freeze (for up to 3 months). HTH & good luck!

Re: Talk to me about starting solids...

I did cereal once a day, then twice a day... Once she really understood what eating was, I introduced fruits and veggies.

I would do a serving of fruit or veggie, then the cereal. I never mixed them. She LOVED her cereal.

I started cereal at 6 months, and the fruits and veggies worked out to be about a month or so later.

The web site the above poster mentioned is great-- good luck!!

Re: Talk to me about starting solids...

Great website - thank you!!! When did people start solids? I know it depends on the child and the dr. - just curious.