6 Month Old Twins - When to Eat Certain Foods?

I don't know much but I know they can't have shellfish!

PEANUT BUTTER! I was lax with my 3rd child and at 2 years old let him try it (you are suppose to wait until they are at least 3) There is no known family member alergic and my other boys were fine with it (introduced after age 3). Unfortunately my 2 year old turned out to have a severe alergy. Without going into the scary details, let me just tell you that now that you know this information STEER CLEAR just as the experts tell you until they are 3!

Read the post I just gave to the other A.'s question. That book will be an excellent resource for you.

Avoid giving anyone under 12 months: any gluten (wheat, barley, rye, etc), dairy (except a good yogurt), egg whites, peanuts, berries, and sugar. I would also avoid corn.

Try www.wholesomebabyfood.com -- seems like a good resource.

I've heard, and did this with my first baby, that you should not give babies under 1 year of age eggs or peanut butter, to avoid dairy and peanut alergies. Hope this helps!

If I remember correctly, you're supposed to avoid egg whites for a while.

it's also good to stay away from foods that commonly cause any kind of allergic reaction - like cabbage family (broccoli, cauliflower) or berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc.) or shellfish (shrimp) or dairy products (like cow's milk) until they are a little older - introduce them after a year old and watch for any reaction - mostly whatever you cook for yourself you can feed your baby if you eat good healthy food - stay away from anything processed, preserved, made with canola oil or high fructose corn syrup and your babies will be healthy

Nuts are another thing to avoid until they are older. My boys also had trouble with certain kinds of foods - Strawberries and citrus that caused diaper rash because of the acid. You might just have to watch this or not give them these as often. Also, milk and dairy until later on (you can introduce yogurt toward the end of the first year). I just stuck with baby food mostly so I knew I was safe. Good lUck.
K.

What to feed a baby is always a hot topic. My big no nos are sugar and corn syrup and any artificial sweetener. As for eggs, it's the WHITES that are allergenic, so avoid those. But yolks are a wonderful first food, esp if you can find them fresh from someone who has their own chickens. Meat can be fine for a young baby, but I make sure mine is organic and pastured. And it's not easy to find pastured/grass fed meat. Most people give cereals as a first food, but I hold off on that as many people believe grains are very hard on a baby's digestive system.

Someone mentioned only giving store bought babyfood and my three kids never got any of that. Only homemade. Again, everyone's opinion differs and everyone has a different opinion of what's healthy. Many people do NOT feel the FDA's food pyramid is the ideal. You mention being obsessed with cooking and eating healthy. If you'd like to challenge your nutritional philosophies, check out
http://www.westonaprice.org

We used the book "Super Baby Food" to learn how to make baby food and to learn when to introduce what foods. It worked beautifully for us and also helped us to improve our eating habits!!

It has really been a long time since I had babies (my twins are 10.5) but one important thing I do want to mention to watch out for is MSG (monosodiumglutamate). MSG is not really good for anyone but is especially harmful to young children. It is a preservative found in a lot of soups, broths, and canned goods but I have found it in other things as well. Another thing to watch out for is sugar free items containing aspertame. Aspertame can cause swelling of the brain stem. I know that there are those out there (even in the medical field) that will argue against these statements but in my opinion why take the chance of harming your children.
Also, if your twins were premies, keep in mind that they may be as ready for things that other babies their age are.

Hi A..
I was told not to feed my baby "hairy" fruits (peaches, strawberries, apricots, etc) before their first birthday. My Ped. told me the molds they carry can cause allergic reactions in infants.

Twin boys: woo hoo!!!
T

This website has a lot of useful information about when to introduce certain foods, the likelihood of allergic reactions, and information on making your own baby food:

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

True, no honey. Also, no peanuts. No nuts at all till after 1 year, 3 years according to some. No berries. No citrus. No tomatoes. No chocolate. No egg whites. No shellfish. No herbs or spices before 8-10 months. No added sugars or salts...ever really! No need for that junk.

Their digestive systems aren't fully developed and food allergies can be dangerous. Better safe than sorry! Here is some more info on what to introduce when: http://www.earthsbest.com/baby_nutrition/feeding_schedule...

try looking at "super baby food" by ruth yaron (I think that is how you spell her name)

I just glanced through the response but I didn't see anyone mention meats. You don't want to start feeding meats until 7-9 months because they don't have the enzymes needed to digest the meats. I've always waited til 9 months.

When my toddler was that age, I was told to hold off on nuts (peanut butter & other nut butters), and citrus fruits, besides the honey.

There is a great book called Super Baby Foods which has a chart of what foods to introduce when (e.g. when to feed cooked vs raw fruits & veggies, etc.)

I would avoid high allergy triggering stuff until one year..or longer. Milk and unfermented milk products...(goat milk may be a better choice),Wheat, Corn,egg (whites)...etc. Anything rice is probably going to be alright. Good luck!!

My favorite book of all time is "Mommy Made and Daddy too." There are recipes that are VERY easy to follow and it gives you a list of what times to introduce foods and what foods to avoid. I highly recommend it. I am sure you can find it at your bookstore. :)

K.
www.babybootcamp.com

I read an article about food allergies recently, not quite sure where (perhaps Dr. Weil's column?), but remember it said premature introduction of some foods can cause lifelong allergy woes. Eggs are one food to stay away from during the first year. The article also suggested spacing out (over several days) introduction of each new food, perhaps make a note on calendar or keep a little food diary, and note any ill effects, such as loose bowels, vomiting, or constipation. Don't rule out noticeable mood or behavioral changes either. If any of those occur, stay away from that food for a few months and then try it again at a later date.

Of course, you're right to avoid honey, but I would also suggest steering away from as many sweet and fatty foods as possible, which are unhealthy and unnecessary for everyone, but of course taste good to most! Too much of these bad foods may cause little ones to crave them and then dislike/refuse other types of healthy foods which do not contain those ingredients.

Even pure fruit juice should be given sparingly, as it contains a lot of sugar. Compare the sugar content in fruit juice to that of Propel Fitness Water (made by Gatorade). My Ped. recommended it when my grandson (who lives with us), was ill, because it tastes good, contains electrolytes, and A LOT LESS sugar than other juices and drinks. When I asked about Pedialyte, he replied, "You ever tasted it? You might get an infant to try it, but forget about a toddler drinking that nasty stuff!"

Not at all relevant, but when I told this funny aged doc about my grandson's habit (when he was just two), of arranging and lining up his crayons, cars, etc. in order, end to end or side by side, in precise patterns of color, size, or some type of obvious symmetrical design, he replied: "ever watch that TV show, Monk?" I almost fell off my chair, restraining myself from breaking into hysterical laughter! One of my favorite shows, and I had just watched the season opener the night before! FYI: He told me not to worry, unless my grandson became extremely distressed or agitated when things were out of order.

Sorry, back to dietary concerns... I have a "thing" concerning dairy products. Think about this: Humans are the ONLY animals that drink milk AFTER they are weaned. Yeah, you might say that cats drink milk, but only because a human gives it to them, and any Vet will tell you giving kittens/cats cow's milk only causes diarrhea and stomach distress for our feline friends. These facts, along with the statistical data on the amount of people who are "lactose intolerant", prove to me that non-human dairy products (very difficult on our digestive systems), are unnecessary and should be avoided altogether. The nutrients in milk can be (and should be) found in hundreds of other foods - veggies, legumes, grains, etc.

When my daughter (now 31) was a toddler, I did grind up the food we were eating, and she liked it just fine. The foods were pretty simple and basic, and I would separate her portion prior to any addition of salt, pepper, sugars, spices, or other complex ingredients. She is not a picky eater today, so I suppose I did okay....

One thing to remember is that babies and toddlers will go through stages where they may not like some foods, or may not seem to be eating as much as we think they should. Not to worry, so long as these phases do not affect their mood, energy levels, sleep habits, etc.

Sorry to be so wordy - it's just the way I am, but hope my info has helped. You might try some online searches concerning healthy infant nutrition and diet. Adding the words "food allergies" to your search should bring up some very helpful and informative sites.

Good luck, don't worry too much, and have a wonderful time with your sweet little boys!

Hi A. -

I would agree with some of the other moms...the four no's are egg whites, nuts, shell fish and honey. From experience, I would actually hold off on cereal as well. This is actually starting to take hold in the pediatric world as well because it's so constipating and hard to digest. The only reason that simple grain cereals are started first is becuase they have the least potential for an allergic reaction...not because they are easiest for baby to digest! Also, talk to your ped about how often to introduce a new food. My ped recommends every four days. This is because it can take as long as 48 to 72 hours to see an allergic reaction and if you've introduced a bunch at once, then you won't know what caused it.

Good Luck. There are lots of books out there to give you schedule ideas and menu ideas for introducting foods!

My pediatrician told us to stay away from shellfish until the age of 2. Good luck with your twins and enjoy every day with them. I also had to go through fertility treatments and now I have 18 month old twins!!

Hi A.,
My Ped told me no honey, peanut butter, eggs and no berries. I would first and formost ask your Pediatrician first before giving your baby anything other than babyfood you buy at the store.
We found out that our 9 month old daughter is allergic to berries, peanut butter and honey. She had a reaction to them all. Our Pediatrician then asked us what we gave her and we told her what she ate and then she put the brakes on all of that.... apparently babies are not supposed to eat certain foods until they reach 1 yr and that some are linked to also being potty trained first. Go figure! Well good luck and enjoy your baby and hopefully not being bound to only certain foods!

Hi A.,
I have a six month old little girl and we are in the beginning stages of trying new foods as well.

The only things your not supposed to give her are chocolate, nuts and honey (and meat of course.)

Yes, there are things that are too difficult for a baby to digest and that may be more allergenic. There is a really good book called Super Baby Food Book that helps you know what foods to introduce at what times. You can go online and find it on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble. I also was given a list by my Naturopath that I would be happy to copy and send to you.

Blessings,
M.
____@____.com

You will get ALOT of advice even I can think of alot (4 kids & 3 grankids), however I work for the fire department and ALWAYS recommend new moms contact the local health department. They have nutritionists whop specialize and all kinds of free information. They also have an interesting assorment of recipes!!! Good luck. God Bless and enjoy them while they smell wonderful! lol

I have always heard no citrus for the first year to year and a half. No peanutbutter or really any nuts or honey for the first year.

Eggs shouldn't be eaten till they are over 1 year. Peanuts until they're at least 2. Good luck.

First-Year Food No-No's for Baby
Introducing baby to solid foods is a memorable milestone for all parents. But don’t rush things. Stick to rice cereal for a while before you move on to new taste adventures. And be sure to avoid the following foods during your baby’s first year:

Sugary foods: Avoid starting your baby on sweetened foods. If you avoid foods like cookies, chocolate, and other sugary sweets, your child will be less likely to demand them in the future.

Salty foods: Your baby isn’t born with a preference for salty foods, so don’t season his foods with table salt. Also hold off on feeding salty pretzels, snacks, and french fries. Your child will discover these foods soon enough!

Eggs: There’s a whole lot of nutrition packed into a little egg. But wait until your baby is at least a year old before scrambling one up for him. If you feed eggs any sooner, you’ll run the risk of an allergic reaction.

Cow’s milk and goat’s milk: Even though your baby is growing quickly, cow’s milk and goat’s milk aren’t recommended for him. That’s because they don’t provide the right proportion of nutrients for young babies; don’t even use them to mix up your baby’s cereal. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents feed their babies only breastmilk or iron-fortified formula for the first 12 months, waiting until after the first birthday to introduce cow’s milk.

After your baby is 1 year old, go ahead and introduce him slowly to whole cow’s milk. But don’t be tempted to serve reduced-fat or fat-free milk to children under 2 years of age. Little ones need the extra fat in whole milk to provide energy for their growing bodies.

Honey: Many doctors recommend not giving babies honey until they’re a year old. Tasty as it is, honey can contain spores that cause botulism poisoning in infants. And although rare, botulism poisoning can have serious effects on babies.

Too much juice: An infant who’s less than a year old shouldn’t drink more than 6 fluid ounces of juice per day. Too much juice can displace the needed protein, fat, and vitamins in breastmilk or formula. Give baby diluted juice in a sipping cup rather than a bottle; using a cup can help prevent cavities in young teeth.

Chewable foods: Some foods can cause choking in infants under a year old. Avoid giving your baby:

Raw vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks
Grapes, cherries, and berries
Raisins
Hot-dog or other meat chunks
Any nuts, such as peanuts, almonds, and cashews
Popcorn
Hard candy, even suckers
These foods need to be chewed; if they aren’t, they could be swallowed whole and lodge in baby’s throat.

Foods that may cause allergic reaction
Some foods can cause an allergic reaction in babies. They include:

Chocolate
Beans
Corn
Nuts
Peanut butter
Egg whites
Seafood
Citrus fruits and juices
Avoid these foods for baby’s first year, especially if there’s a history of allergies.

Hope this info helps. T.

I enjoyed making my own foods, too, but definitely no nuts either as you children could be allergic and it is too soon to find out. I remember honey also.
Hope that helps and happy cooking,
J.

I agree with everyone saying to wait on the highly allergenic foods, especially if you have ANY food allergies, other allergies, or asthma in your family. Super Baby Foods is the book I used as well. I highly recommend getting a Cuisinart food processor for the job. I have the mini-prep which is perfect when you're doing small quantities for babies. I have found it much easier than using the hand-powered food grinders.

You are getting some great advice about what not to feed baby. The only debate is about the egg whites or egg yolks. Your babies are more likely to be allergic to the whites, but the yolks are hard to digest until their systems mature. Hold off completely until a year, then slowly introduce one new food at a time, at least a few days apart. It will take 48-72 hours before a food they are allergic to will manifest itself, so if you wait that few days apart you will know what they are allergic to if anything. The age guidelines the other moms are giving you are great... good luck!

Just before we started introducing solids, my pediatrician recommended the book, Feeding Your Child for Lifelong Health, by Susan Roberts and Melvin Heyman.

http://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Your-Child-Lifelong-Health/...

I used it constantly when my daughter was an infant and now that she is a toddler I use it for ideas and strategies to get her to try more foods. It includes charts with age groupings so you know EXACTLY what foods are safe/unsafe. It is a great investment (Amazon link above) or check it out at your local library and just photocopy the pages with the charts for a reference.

If you have trouble finding it, let me know and I will scan mine into the computer and email them to you.

Good luck and best wishes!