Most moms followed the age-old wisdom of introducing rice cereal as baby's
first food. This is offered one or two times a day just to get baby used to
the idea of eating. Instructions for mixing the cereal for new feeders are
on the box, but the basic formula is 1 T. cereal mixed with 4-5 T. warm
breastmilk/formula. As your babies get older, they'll enjoy a thicker
mixture.
Some babies like their unadorned cereal just fine, but many moms found that
eventually their growing children highly preferred cereal with fruit added.
There are cereals with "fruit" in them, e.g. rice with bananas and 3-grain
with berries, but even these can lack the flavor added bottled or pureed
fruit can provide.
What Goes In Must....
Up til now your babies' digestive systems have only been dealing with milk.
Solids will change the consistency, hue, and odor of what comes out the
other end, and they will change how often and easily "by-products"are
produced. Note particularly that a number of foods can be constipating.
Rice cereal itself can plug things up. If your baby tends toward
constipation, you might try another single-grain cereal (baby cereals are
available in barley, oatmeal, and wheat to name a few) and avoid following
it with other constipating foods such as apples or bananas! Other ways to
relieve "back-up" are small amounts of prunes or diluted prune juice, as
well as offering a bottle of good old water. (Your pediatrician may
recommend adding some water to the babies' diets at this point anyway).
Life After Cereal...
When you feel your babies are doing reasonably well with cereal, even if it'
s still in small amounts, it's time to move on to vegetables and fruits
(usually between 5-7 months). The order in which these are taken varies.
Some pediatricians recommend getting babies' taste buds used to veggies
before introducing them to the often-preferred sweeter fruits. Babies may
only take a few spoonfuls for a while, increasing their consumption with
time. Which foods you offer at which meals is also entirely subjective. A
common approach is to feed cereal and fruit at breakfast, and various
combinations of fruits and vegetables at lunch and/or dinner.
It's generally recommended that new foods be introduced one at a time, with four to seven days between each new food in your babies' repertoire. Some moms even keep a journal of foods to note any bad reactions, as well as babies' budding likes and dislikes. However it cannot be stressed enough that the favorite food of the day or week may be grimaced at the next day or week, and conversely and more importantly, what is shunned today may be lapped up tomorrow. This applies for many, many months down the road! If a new food is rejected on any given day, try it again (and again) in a few days or weeks and you may very well have an entirely different customer reaction!
If you want to make your own fruits and veggies, cook them well and mash thoroughly or use a hand-held grinder/blender. One popular method for keeping home-pureed food "fresh" is to freeze it in ice-cube trays. After it's frozen, dump the cubes in a zip-lock, and thaw-and-serve as needed!
Don't worry so much about a balanced diet at this point (since your babies are still getting nearly all their nutrition from milk, plus some extra iron from cereal) and enjoy experimenting with different foods. Nearly all fruits or vegetables are fair game as long as they are highly pureed. Strawberries are one to avoid as they have a higher tendency to cause allergic reactions.
By 6-8 months, you can add a range of foods from the protein and milk groups, e.g., meat, chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, cooked egg yolk (hold off on more allergenic egg whites until closer to 12 months), tofu. These should still be fairly well strained/pureed at first, but over time you can begin trying out chunkier bits and see how your customers do with them. Some children will have several teeth by now, which helps immensely in moving into "finger foods," but it is amazing how strong babies' gums are in and of themselves!
There are several foods that are usually seen as not appropriate for younger babies due to higher chances of allergic or digestive reactions. Some of these include fish, strawberries, honey, egg whites, chocolate, and citrus. Advice on when these can be introduced ranges from 8 months to a year or so--ask your pediatrician what they recommend!
How many meals per day and at what times?
These questions are highly subjective ones. Some parents stick with just
one meal for a while, others quickly move up to two or even three, depending
on philosophy as well as logistics. Many moms find that the new meal
regimen is very time consuming, especially with twins, and that one or at
most two meals per day is all they can squeeze in or handle for a while.
Keep in mind that for many months the prime goal of feeding solids is to
accustom your children to food and to eating. The goal is not to fill them
up with calories or nutrients, as they are still getting almost everything
they need from breast milk or formula. Be sure in fact that you do not
displace too much milk with food, and that you do not switch to cow's milk,
which is neither easily digestible nor appropriately fortified for a baby
less than a year old.
As quantity does increase, you will want to move into offering solids prior
to milk, rather than after or during. Milk can then follow, either
immediately or after a reasonable interval. One meal that often is an
exception is breakfast, which frequently is served an hour or so after the
first morning bottle. One baby in our group though refused breakfast with a
vengeance until his mom tried feeding him cereal shortly after he awoke,
giving him his bottle afterwards. He became an instant breakfast convert
and chowed down his meal with gusto!
At first, finding the optimal times of day to offer meals to your babies can
be a breeze or a puzzle worthy of Rubik. Do you feed them at the times you
eat your meals? Do you feed them before they're really hungry, or will they
lack interest in this new goop unless they ARE really hungry? Does a 5 p.m.
dinner seem to work better than 5:30 p.m.? You can really drive yourself
nuts with this in the early stages, but know that in a month or two, meals
served pretty much at standard "grown-up" meal times should work well for
everyone. And by 9-12 months, you will probably move into three meals a day
plus one or two snacks in between – much like the parents' schedule.
How much of a good thing?
It's hard not to obsess over how many spoonfuls or ounces your children are eating, but the bottom line our moms have drawn is that babies will eat as much as they want and need, after which point they will stop. If a baby turns their head adamantly away, screams, throws their food, etc., chances are they've had enough. On the other hand, if they keep eating, chances are they really do want more food. Most pediatricians advise that as long as you're not forcing your baby to eat when they don't want to, you won't overfeed them. By 6 or 7 months, some of our babies meals could still be measured in fractions of ounces while others were plowing through one or even two 2.5 oz jars at a sitting!
Keeping them interested
In some cases, the initial novelty of eating wears off and baby loses
interest in food. According to the moms we talked to, getting involved in
the meal and making mealtime fun will go a long way toward keeping babies
eating and moms sane. Some suggestions... Babies love to imitate mom and
dad. Pretending you're taking bites before feeding baby (or actually doing
so) is always a pleaser. Cheering them on with "open up" and then opening
your mouth wide, followed by an exaggerated chewing motion will give them
the idea. Singing songs, playing tapes, letting baby hold a spoon or chewy
toy, and making silly faces works for some. Whatever you do, try to have
fun with your babies while you feed them. And again, if they really refuse
to eat more (or even to eat at all from time to time), don't feel compelled
to stand on your head or shovel food into a screaming mouth. Just end the
meal and try again next time. General wisdom says that when baby wants to
eat, s/he will eat. . General wisdom also says that it's best if everyone
is relaxed and having fun; a tense or tired parent, or a parent trying to
feed solids in a hurry before leaving the house, is not likely to make for a
happy feeding.
Feeding two open mouths
Most moms sit their babies side by side and feed them at the same time,
using one spoon and bowl (except when one of the babies is sick) for
convenience and speed. Some prefer alternating spoonfuls while others like
to feed the hungriest baby first (with the other ready to go in the high
chair, but occupied with toys), before starting with the second baby. Try
different approaches to see what works for you and your twins.
Infant or bouncy seats are most commonly used during the early feedings.
Placing the seats on a table or counter might save your back (but of course
don't leave them unattended in a high place). As babies gain back muscles,
move them to high chairs (these may be usable sooner if they have a recline
position). If the high chair seems too roomy, try propping babies with
towels. If they don't seem comfortable in the high chair at first, consider
other alternatives. One 6-month baby who had eaten fine in her bouncy
squirmed with unhappiness when moved to a high chair. In desperation, mom
tried "picnicking" with the baby by sitting on a splash mat on the kitchen
floor. In this less claustrophobic setting, the baby regained her comfort
with eating and in a short time made the transition back to high chair
without complaint.
Most moms agree it's hard to keep babies' hands out of the food when you're
feeding two. A suggestion is to have a wet washcloth handy. When you see a
mess in the making, gently wipe off the hands before their hair, your
clothes and the kitchen floor are covered with strained carrots. Note also
that many experts advise that letting babies "dive in" at meals (within
reason!) can help promote enthusiasm about eating and eventually
independence in self-feeding. Especially as your twins begin to eat more
and more finger foods, you'll need to let go of at least some of your urge
to keep everything spotless. Some moms of older babies even let them eat in
their diapers, and follow meals with a full-body wash-down.
Meals on Wheels
Feeding solids while on the go isn't as difficult as it may seem. In fact,
many moms think it's downright easy and it can provide a great change of
atmosphere for moms and babes alike. Just set the stroller in its upright
position and feed away... in the park, the mall or wherever. In fact, many
babies eat with far less fuss and more enthusiasm when they have new sights
and sounds around them. It's also a great way for parents to get out – one
mom often went for a morning coffee and shoveled baby food while she sat and
watched the "real" world – a real treat for mom and babies alike! My kids
LOVE to eat while in their stroller in Golden Gate Park and consistently
chow down with greater intake and zeal than they ever display in their
highchairs at home (passers-by probably think we've been starving them for
days by the way they're nearly falling out of the stroller to get to that
last pea or piece of string cheese!).
The toughest part about feeding on-the-go is dealing with packing up
everything you'll need. But having a short list on the fridge or by the
door can help, and after you've done it a few dozen times, it really does
become pretty automatic. Some items to include on your list: spoons, bibs,
damp washcloths, sippy cups with juice or water, plastic bowls or paper
plates. Bring portable seats if you're going to be at a friend's home or a
restaurant — both the plastic kind that strap onto the top of a chair and
the metal kind that clamp onto a table are easy to use and transport. If
you use the clamp kind, you might want to stick a towel or placemat under
the arms to avoid scratching a nice surface. Portable fold-up walkers are
also good and don't threaten the furniture. A plastic/wipeable blanket or
drop cloth is good, too—to sit on and eat on if you're outside, or to put
under the booster seats if you're at a table.
A great alternative for sitting at the table that will literally fit in a
purse is the "Sit 'N Secure," a fabric and velcro belt that straps a child
to an already existing chair! Available for around $11.00,
this won't bring your baby up to table level, but you can always bring the
food down to him/her!
Most moms begin feeding their babies mushy foods like cereal and pureed fruits and veggies when they are five or six months old. After a month or two of this, you can widen the variety
while still sticking to very soft or pureed cuisine. Possibilities include
cottage cheese, plain yogurt, tofu, cooked egg yolk (don't feed egg whites
until around 11 or 12 months) and strained or pureed meat, fish, chicken,
and beans.
A personal side-note is that my daughter wasn't eating much of her daily
cereal, and the doctor was concerned about her iron intake. So I started
cooking lentils every few days and offering them at lunch — they were a hit!
I just cooked them so they were soft, then would smash a few together and
feed them to her. Later when she could feed herself, I'd form little
"lentil tents" on the high-chair tray, which she could pick up and navigate
into her mouth.
Another point is that I was shocked when I learned that I could feed my kids
dairy products; I'd had it in my mind that you had to wait until 12 months
for this, but that only applies to switching from formula/breast milk to
whole milk. Note that with all dairy products, it's fine and often
desirable to stick to whole milk products rather than the low-fat ones we're
used to as adults. Within reason, babies actually need "healthy" fats like
those in whole milk products.
Finger Foods
When are babies ready to start picking up actual "solid" foods and feeding
themselves? Every baby is different, and as usual, you should consult your
pediatrician for customized guidelines. However an average time is around
eight months, give or take a month. Start with softer, smaller pieces of
food and as your babies gain manual and mandibular dexterity, move into
foods with more texture and bulk. Accept the fact that the next few
months/years of eating will often be a messy process. Remember that
eventually you want your kids to be independent eaters, and they can only
learn this by doing some squishing and dropping and exploring. Give your
babies spoons to hold and wave and chew on, and when they seem ready, help
guide them to navigate spoonfuls of foods into their mouths. Babies are
often capable of doing this sooner that you might think!
Gagging
Every parent's nightmare, right? Of course this always has the potential to
be serious, but generally it is amazing what a reliable gagging reflex these
babies have! Always wait a second to see if whatever is stuck will come up
on its own, which it usually will (to be rechewed and swallowed again!).
But if the gagging persists, don't be afraid to swoop your pinky down their
throat and dig up the offender (read up on hints for doing this as safely
and effectively as possible prior to the actual event!).
Sippy Cups
As babies get older (often around seven months), it's time to introduce
cups. This is not at all expected to be the main mode of liquid ingestion,
but it's the first step in moving that direction. Sippy cups come in a
range of styles and designs, as well as a spectrum of spill-proofedness. A
popular one is the Playtex non-spill sippy cup. Experiment with different
types or ask friends for recommendations. It's generally suggested to offer
water or diluted fruit juice first.
SFMOTC Book of Revelations
Rev.I: Toss out your little cloth bibs and buy plastic ones!!! There are
soft plastic bibs that come in various sizes: some hang over the traditional
torso area, others extend to the shoulders, and some even go over baby's
arms like a shirt! Choose from velcro, snap, or tie fasteners, and a range
of patterns and cartoon characters. Another hugely popular bib choice is
the hard plastic bib with the pelican on the front. These come in two
sizes, last forever, and clean up beautifully.
Rev.II: Meals are a great time to work on your babies' communication
skills. Try teaching them a gesture such as raising both arms up to
indicate when they are "all done" with a meal.
Rev. III: When they reach about 18 months, let them sit at the table with
you with a placemat instead of using the high chair tray (in their high
chair or a booster seat).
Rev. IV: Lunch doesn't have to be served at noon. Especially if your child
has had a late snack and is down for an early nap, serve lunch after they
wake up and have had a few minutes to get oriented.
Rev. V: You can make your life a little easier by cooking large batches of
foods and freezing leftovers in meal-sized portions, to be defrosted and
served as needed!
Greatest Hits
What follows is a list compiled of finger food "hits" from a number of moms
in the SFMOTC club. It probably goes without saying but what works for you
and your kids is highly individual based on personal taste buds, dietary
preferences, degree of ease desired, etc. Also note that some of these
items are more suitable for early finger-eaters (8 months or so) and others
will be more appropriate for one-year and up gourmands.
Almost everything listed is meant to be cut up/torn into small pieces.
Fruits (fresh is always best, but during out-of-season times, canned or
frozen ain't bad!)
Blueberries (cut in half at first, then whole later on)
Cantaloupe
Peaches
Bananas
Apples
Pears
Pineapple
Mango
Strawberries (save for later in the 1st year due to possible allergies)
Vegetables (all are good fresh, frozen, or canned; most should be cooked
until soft and large pieces cut up)
Peas
Green Beans
Carrots
Cucumber
Lima beans
Baked potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes (my kids LOVE holding half a potato and
biting off little chunks)
Avocado
Dairy
Yogurt (plain or with fruit; Brown Cow brand is a good one and comes in
whole with cream at the top. Yoplait also makes the ever-popular
strawberry-banana)
Cottage Cheese
String Cheese
Pastas
Whole wheat pasta—plain or with toppings (comes in spaghetti, corkscrew,
shells).
Macaroni & cheese (homemade or boxed)
Tortellini or ravioli stuffed with cheese, veggies, chicken, prosciutto
Spaghetti with pesto or marinara sauce (without cheese, not too spicy)
Linguini and clams (take care with fish allergies)
Vegetable ravioli with marinara sauce
Lasagna
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (these are pretty interchangeable with babies and
moms)
"Real" oatmeal (instead of baby cereal, when babies are older. To make
mornings easier, make a big pot every few days instead of every day; keep it
in the fridge and heat daily portions, adding milk/fruit/.)
Waffles (real or boxed frozen ones which come in plain, blueberry, whole
wheat, with or without maple syrup)
French toast (homemade or Krusteez microwave french toast with cinnamon)
Muffins (poppyseed or banana-nut are popular, either homemade or Otis
Spunkmeyer brand which doesn't get stale quickly)
Whole wheat bread, toasted plain or with a topping (we like Oregon
Stoneground Wheat with Hazelnut)
Whole wheat pancakes with blueberries
Jelly and/or Peanut Butter sandwiches (save peanut butter for closer to one
year)
Cream cheese sandwiches (on croissant, soft white bread, or whole wheat
bread)
Turkey lunch meat sliced up
Tofu
Rice
Shepherd's pie (mashed potato, mushrooms, tomato sauce, ground beef, topped
with cheese, all on a pastry shell layer)
Bagel with cream cheese
Cheese quesadilla (Mexican restaurant standard; chicken or vegetables can be
added easily)
Eggs: Over 10-12 months, serve whole egg hard boiled or
scrambled, plain or with veggies or cheese mixed in. Under 10 or so months,
serve egg yolks only, hard boiled or soft scrambled with breast milk or
formula.
Tuna
Meatloaf or ground turkey loaf
Chicken/turkey/fish
Nancy's Mini-quiches (in the frozen food section)
Garden Veggie Burgers (particularly "Veggie Medley"; another frozen item,
great for picnic lunches when broken into smaller pieces)
Snack items
Fruit bars (e.g., Nutrigrain, Entemanns)
String cheese
Cheerios (a perennial favorite; relatively low in sugar and has decent
nutritive value)
Oyster crackers
Foods to Avoid
In general: Chocolate, Sodas, Caffeine
Under 10 or so months: Peanut butter, egg whites, honey.
If there are allergies in your family, ask your doctor how to proceed. Foods such as strawberries, wheat, nuts, etc. may require particular
caution, especially under 10-12 months.
A huge thanks for Robin Bradley for the following recipe suggestions:
Stealth-Egg Pancakes
Using a nutritious pancake mix (such as Krusteez All-Bran), substitute eggs
and cottage cheese for some of the water and cook in small-diameter sized
pancakes. Applesauce can be offered as dipping sauce.
Tortilla Chips Scrambled Eggs
For those toddlers who don't like eggs, toss some low-salt tortilla chips
into the pan once the eggs start to cook (so that the chips are coated but
all the egg is well-cooked). Shredded cheese can be tossed in at the last
minute before serving.
Parmesan Penne and Asparagus
(from a recipe by Janet Fletcher in SF Chronicle Cookbook)
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan
2 T butter
1 1/2 cup dry penne pasta
Asparagus - one bunch with tough ends trimmed and cut into lengths similar
to that of the penne
A few twists of grated nutmeg
Salt and Pepper to taste
Put penne into ample boiling water, add the asparagus once the water starts
to boil again. When done (approximately 8 - 10 minutes), drain and then put
back into pan, adding butter and stir gently. When butter is melted, add
parmesan, seasonings and toss gently. Serve immediately.
Merry munching!
The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. Please consult with your health care advisor about specific questions or problems
This article may be printed out for personal use but may not be reproduced in any other manner, including electronic, without prior written consent from the authors. For more information, call us at 415-440-twins or log on to our web site San Francisco Mothers of Twins Club
