Question about 7 month old Food

Hi Ladies,
I frequented this forum regularly last year when I was trying to conceive, then miscarried, got pregnant again and ultimately gave birth to a happy (the worlds happiest baby ever!), healthy, baby boy.  Everyone was so helpful then, hopefully you don't mind me asking a non pregnancy question.

I know there are many of you out there that have had babies before.  I have a question about my little guy. He's 7 months old and my hubby and his parents keep telling me he is old enough to eat Cheerios.  I don't think so, he still gags on his stage 2 foods on occasion/can't even eat mashed up scrambled eggs...When did your little ones start eating cheerios/small foods?

[qw]

If he is gagging on stage 2 baby food I definitely wouldn't give cheerios. My son is 8 1/2 months old and is just starting on stage 2 baby food and soft things like peas and shredded cheese.

[qw]

Here is a baby food recipe website that I like:
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/baby/baby.html

I read this on the above site.... Ask your pediatrician if your baby is ready for eggs. Babies can have egg yolks from 10 months, but they can

[Peyton's Mom]

Thanks qw, that is an awesome site.  I think I will try some of those recipes. Much appreciated!

[cinnamonheart]

What is with husbands and inlaws!!
First off as the mother I do believe you can read your child like a book  you are with him/her 24-7
Most foods (non baby food) are not suppose to be introduced until 9-12 months anyway, My theory is why rush it if they are doing well leave it alone!
My son is 3.5 months and my husband bugs me to start feeding him baby food or homo milk I dont think so!!

[Stacie30]

both mine were at least 9 months before we tried any type of solids. they did pretty well. I don't think they would have earlier. Trust your instincts!! :o)

[nanakay]

ha ha ha ha
i just noticed that i wrote that "you are probably write" instead of right.....wow talk about brain fart.

i know i am a terrible speller but come on
~nanci

[Still_AndiJ]

It is not typical of me to go against the crowd, especially when they give such good advice. But with both of my boys, I gave them table food at 7-8 months. Of course, if they are showing signs of not being able to mash food or have difficulty with stage 2 foods, of course you are right to stay away!

My youngest, who will be 9 months old on the 27th, eats a variety of people food. He still breastfeeds frequently, has never had a drop of formula, and is very healthy. He does eat things like crackers, cheerios, bread, bits of chicken( actually he eats a bit of whatever I am having as long as it is safe), an occaisional cookie, and he loves fresh steamed veggies and soft fruit.

He eats some baby foods, his fav seems to be turkey in rice, followed closely by turkey and veggies.

That being said, do what seems right to you within certain boundaries. There is overwhelming evidence that certain things need to be avoided, such as egg whites, peanut butter, honey, cows milk and most importantly never ever put cereal in a bottle! If they cannot eat it off of a spoon without pushing it all back out (tongue thrust reflex disappears around 4 months), wait until they are old enough!

Andrea

[nanakay]

ok i agree with the trust your instincts....if you don't think your little one can handle it then you are probably write.

just a note about the homoginized milk for an infant.....homo milk is not formulated for infants it has the fat that 1-2 year olds need but nothing for infants.  i can't beleive hubby thinks a baby can have that.....maybe do a search on WIC recomendations to show him that that is not a good idea.
~nanci

[Angel4JohnnyB]

I have to tend to agree with Andi on this one, even though she went against the crowd........
I have been feeding stage 2 baby food since my son was 6 months old and giving him table food since about 7 months. I never did feed stage 1 (my pedi said stage 2 was just about the same thing and a better value) And I won't feed stage 3 at all (that is just mashed up table food)
My son, will be 9 months on the 27th (same as Andi's boy) and I give him mashed potatoes, mac and cheese (mashed up) broccoli, califlour, carrots (mashed) he shows way too much interest in our plates to not give him some..........I will let him "TASTE" just about anything but most things he still can't eat because he has no teeth. He loves crackers but I have to put a peice between my thumb and forefinger and turn it into dust before putting it in his mouth.......like I said, he has no teeth.

As far as milk........WIC held a class at the beginning of this month here and told everyone to start mixing whole milk with their babies formula starting after 6 months.......I WAS STUNNED!!!!!!! For years, we have all been told to not give baby ANY MILK until after their first birthday because of reactions and nutritional reasons........I stayed for the class because I had to be there but let it all go in one ear and out the other.......my son may get a drop or two of milk when I am eating cereal but to just give it to him in a cup.......NOT THIS MOM....
Bottom line is IF your baby is ready you will be the first to know it beings that you are the MOM and with baby more than anyone else....don't let the in-laws push something on your baby that you are not comfortable with.....what happens if he chokes??? You are going to hate yourself for not standing up for your child in the first place........better to have the in-laws pissed for awhile than for something to happen.
Best of luck.....

[Still_AndiJ]

WHAT!?! Never give them whole milk or any cows milk before 12months! Sometimes the info you get from WIC is ****, it has happened to me quite frequently. It is sad because so many people rely on WIC for information.

The way I live my life if is one or two people say it, I ignore it, when the majority of reputable sources okay (my biggy is the American Academy of Pediatrics), I still may hang back a bit before trying it out.


Andrea

[Bopper1025]

Western culture is the only one with all these crazy don't feed your baby rules. The only ones that are seriously important are related to nutrition, ( like formula not milk) and disease, ( no honey until a year to prevent botulism). We also have the highest rate of food allergies in the world. Feed your child whole cooked foods like steamed and blended carrots peas or butternut squash to start. Other cultures feed whole soft foods as soon as possible, they don't avoid spice, or anything else. As a result they have VERY low rates of food allergies. Avoid highly processed foods like rice cereal and let them eat finger foods when developmentally able to handle them. I blend steamed veggies and freeze them in ice cube trays as thaw them as needed. My six month old is eating blended chicken, veggies fruit. We add new things about every week and a half. No issues so far.