more numbnut questions

[lukaelmo]

Okay, so I have learnt that you feed the rice cereal with a spoon. Do you need a special one?

Do you have to start with rice cereal? I went out and bought a book called "top 100 baby purees" and they seem to start off with carrot.

I still feel like a numbnut; I am such a disorganised person but I try to be organised for little dude. Hence getting ready for his solids a month in advance! :)

Beware my son! I come armed with great knowledge of solids!

[Lunar]

I don't think it really matters but the rice cereal is pretty bland and babies seem to take to it better than anything else as you mix it with brestmilk or formula milk so they are tasting something familiar.
I think it is recommended to start on rice cereal because of this reason and also it is easy for bubby to digest.
Also you don't have to introduce solids right on 4 months you can wait till 6 or whenever bubby is ready (but not b4 4 months.)

[Shazbutt]

I think its also because rice cereal has iron in it too, so gives them that bit of extra nutrition? Also, i find it is heaps better to mix it with breastmilk or formula instead of water, as it is a taste they're already familiar with, and it looks a bit tastier too, not that i've tried it! LOL (Sorry, just noticed that EmysMum just said that exact thing!)

Maybe if you don't want to give bubs just the cereal or if he doesn't like it, then you could slowly just add carrot for example, or pears is also a good starter....

And any old spoon is alright, though i stayed away from metal ones just cos they are a bit hard on bubs gums....i just bought a pack of cheap baby spoons from a $2 shop.....

Don''t worry, you'll get there! Its all a terribly big learning curve the first time round, and even after that...i find everything is TOTALLY different with DD2. I still ask a whole heap of questions! Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do fine!

[Ky]

Basically any soft spoon will do! just make sure that it isn't too wide for bub's mouth.

I started my kids on rice cereal mixed with formula and pureed pear or apple, mashed banana, pureed pumpkin, mashed egg yolks(only if you have an allergy free family history), and then progressed onto vege combinations.

It is really easy to cook veges etc for bub - just cook them at the same time as your own and don't add any salt ... take some out for bub before you add any flavouring/sauces and puree it initially.

Most babies are happy with one or two teaspoons full of solids for a while after they start ... it depends on the child - my two were straight into big bowls of food and still had the same number of bottles as before solids!

Well done for thinking this far ahead and you are obviously not a numbnuts!

[reAllytee]

I pretty much can only agree with what everyone else has stated.
I find using a stick blender is great ! you can get them now for like $12 real cheap & they are easy to use & clean. Takes only a few secs a ta-da pureed food ! Another good tip is to do a batch or so in advance & pop it into ice cube trays & freeze ( place inside a freezer bag it helps avoid freezer burn ) then when you need it you just pop one cube out & microwave ready for bubs or you can leave it to melt well in advance of bubs mealtime. Then all you do as they get older is increase the cubes.
You can get baby spoons anywhere these days cheap shops etc its more up to what you like really. I prefer to stay away from metal while still young as they dont like the taste. I found you can get baby spoons in the i think its called "the first years" range they call em the take & toss range they are great you dont need to throw them its just a case of buying them in a larger pack makes them cheaper so that if you lose em etc its no big deal they also make awesome little tubs to put meals into the snack size are perfect for while they are still young & then there is a bigger size. I also got a pack of 3 spoons from toys 'r' us which come in a little container which is great for going out as it keep them clean etc & the tips of the spoons actually change colour when the food is too hot which is also great for starting out.
Hopefully i have been helpful in some ways as it seems the other mums have given great advice already !