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Baby's First Solids

Should They Be Sweet or Savory?

By Renee Roberson

As for fruits and vegetables, Ward believes that pears, apples, bananas, peaches, sweet potatoes and carrots are also very nutritious options for baby's first solids. She hasn't found any evidence proving that offering a baby fruits first will cause them to shun vegetables.

"I think there are a lot of old wives' tales about feeding fruits first and making baby prefer sweets," Ward says. She also points out that parents shouldn't worry too much about their child if they are slow to take to solids. "Breastmilk or formula is still their primary food source so they're not going to starve," she says.

These days, there are endless possibilities to consider when starting your baby on solids. Commercial baby food or prepared at home? Organic or traditional fare? Pediatricians will offer you their opinions, but in the end most parents use the advice as a general guideline and follow their hearts when making the final choice.

It is important to remember that each child is different, and one baby's preference for pureed bananas may be completely different from another one's love for strained peas. The best bet is to offer your baby one new food at a time – be it fruits, vegetables or pureed meats – over the course of a few days, and begin your child's journey with culinary adventure there.

Also, remember that babies' palettes are constantly changing. Your baby may not care for green beans at first, but keep offering them and they may become a staple in your child's diet before you know it.

Baby's First Smoothie Cherie Calbom says this shake tastes like baby food, so your baby should like it! The recipe is from The Ultimate Smoothie Book (Warner Wellness, 2006). 1/2 cup milk of choice 1 banana, peeled and cut into chunks 1 ripe pear, peeled, cored and cut into chunks Pour the milk into a blender and add the banana and pear. Blend on high speed until smooth. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Want to see more?

• Homemade Baby Food: A Fresh Start to Healthy Eating
• Check out our Article Library.
• Baby's First Cookie: Making Homemade
  Teething Biscuits
• Bringing Taste Back
  to the Highchair: Annabel Karmel on Homemade
  Baby Food
• Talk about it!

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