1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: Who baby, my baby, I need you, Oh, I need you. 2 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: What to Expect is a production of I Heart Radio. 3 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:18,640 Speaker 1: I'm your host Heidi Mrko, and I'm a mom on 4 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:21,439 Speaker 1: a mission, a mission to help you know what to 5 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 1: expect every step of the way. It's one of the 6 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 1: most momentous and messy milestones of the first year starting solids. 7 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: But as you think about baby's first bite, you're probably 8 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 1: wondering what exactly that first bite should be, not to 9 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:44,559 Speaker 1: mention exactly when and how you should be serving it out. 10 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: And today we're dishing up everything you need to know 11 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: about introducing solids. Emma's here with me. Hey, Emma, Hey, 12 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 1: this is so exciting for me because this is such 13 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: a great stage, because this is when I can literally 14 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: eat off my kid's plate like it begins, it begins. 15 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: So all the scraps that are left over, yea, all 16 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 1: of them. So that's good. But do you remember the 17 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: first time that I gave you solids? Come on, you 18 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 1: must remember, yeah, no, of course not. Back in the day, 19 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 1: it wasn't really a choice of what you were going 20 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: to give baby for first solids, because it was going 21 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:25,559 Speaker 1: to be right cereal every time, and it was those 22 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: white flakes that absolutely have no taste or texture, and 23 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: you dissolve them in breast milk or formula and then 24 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:37,959 Speaker 1: make them into this gross white soupy stuff. And I 25 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 1: put it on a spoon and it went in your 26 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,959 Speaker 1: mouth and then most of it came right back out 27 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: of your mouth. And we did capture it on video 28 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 1: because Dad Eric had the cam quarter handy. Yes, and 29 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: it was super cute. But I think we introduced right 30 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 1: cereal first with Wyatt too, but I'm not exactly sure. 31 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: I'm trying to remember what you started lennox on. Honestly, 32 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: I don't remember anything on that, mom, Like, I didn't 33 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: write anything down. Well, I know it wasn't right Cyril, 34 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: because we had moved on from that. It was probably 35 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 1: a vegetable perium thing. Was probably like a packet. Yeah, 36 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 1: because he loved he absolutely loved I remember, um was 37 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: it a Plumber organic pet? I loved them too, And 38 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:28,200 Speaker 1: he loved the purple carrot one. Yeah, he liked the 39 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 1: purple carrot. There was also one that tastes like Thanksgiving. 40 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:32,640 Speaker 1: I think it was like cinnamon something. I don't know. 41 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: It was so good. Yeah, I loved it. Maybe you 42 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 1: liked it. And it wasn't him after all. I just 43 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 1: remember that he did he initially he loves solids. I 44 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:45,799 Speaker 1: mean I remember him eating whole milk yogurt. I remember 45 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 1: one time we were at a video shoot. You had 46 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 1: him on your lap in front of the craft services 47 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 1: table and there and there's a there's a bowl of 48 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 1: cream cheese and he just like dove headfirst into it 49 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 1: a lot of dream cheese. It was crazy, Um, how 50 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: did you start with Sebby? So we were on our 51 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: way to Lebanon to baptize Sebby and arrived at Heathrow 52 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 1: and it was just one of those like hey, just 53 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: try food. So we gave him a banana. He was 54 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 1: not about that life. He's like, what is this? That changed? Yes, 55 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 1: but yeah, I was actually expecting him to be way 56 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 1: more into it and that whole trip, like he participated 57 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: in like Lebanese spices and stuff like baby food, and 58 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 1: he wasn't. He hated it. He hated any sort of 59 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: baby food. Lennox loved a good pouch. Sevy was not 60 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: on board, which is I, boy, have those roles reverse. 61 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 1: So let's take a quick break and when we come back. 62 00:03:51,920 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: I'm answering the biggest questions you have about starting solids? Okay, mom, 63 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: so let's break down the biggest questions our listeners have 64 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 1: about starting those solids. How do you really know that 65 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: your baby is ready to start solids? I know that 66 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,599 Speaker 1: things are obviously different with every baby, but what's like 67 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: the average age range? And when should we have that 68 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: conversation with the pediatrician and be like, hey, should we 69 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: do this? Should we do this? So most pediatricians give 70 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 1: the official green light, that's the a P recommendation at 71 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: six months, but don't wait, don't wait to have the conversation, 72 00:04:43,400 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: have it at the four months check up, because that 73 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: way you can ask all your questions and you can 74 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:51,920 Speaker 1: be prepared. Some pediutricians will give you the go ahead 75 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: just a little bit earlier. Definitely not before four months. 76 00:04:55,960 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: But if a baby is absolutely chomp at the bit, 77 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,559 Speaker 1: if she's showing signs of readiness, and there's a whole 78 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 1: long list of signs of readiness, but the highlights are 79 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 1: your baby should be able to hold up her head 80 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: well and sit at least propped, because it's really not 81 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:18,719 Speaker 1: safe or easy to feed a baby who slumped over. 82 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:22,720 Speaker 1: The other thing is some babies start taking an interest 83 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: in food when they are starting to feel ready, and 84 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: that might mean that they're eyeing every bite you take 85 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 1: or they're grabbing at your spoon. Would you guys, actually, 86 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: did I remember that cuties? Are there problems with starting 87 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:43,479 Speaker 1: too early or waiting too long to get into that 88 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 1: food train? Yeah, definitely, I mean starting too soon can 89 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:51,360 Speaker 1: sometimes trigger allergies. But it's also a matter of digestive readiness, 90 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 1: because a baby who's too young doesn't have the enzymes 91 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 1: that are necessary to digest solids. Plus, babies in the 92 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 1: first six months really at everything they need nutrition wise, 93 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:06,280 Speaker 1: from breast milk or formula. Now, on the other hand, 94 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 1: waiting too long the downside isn't necessarily about them needing 95 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: nutrients and not getting them, but it's about them needing 96 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: the experience of eating solids and not getting it because 97 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: it's way harder, you know, to teach an older baby 98 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: new tricks, and if they're really set in their ways, 99 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:26,839 Speaker 1: you know, they're stubborn. Yeah, they're used to their liquids 100 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:28,919 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden, you're you're putting something 101 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: solid into their mouth. You know, well, after six months, 102 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:35,480 Speaker 1: maybe you know, some parents wait till eight months or so, 103 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 1: then they might not be so open, and you know 104 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 1: it's six months, they're ready, but they're still relatively putty 105 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:45,159 Speaker 1: in your hands. I feel like there are so many 106 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,719 Speaker 1: unknowns and variables in the situation. What are the best 107 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:52,120 Speaker 1: foods to start out with? And how do you decide 108 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 1: what is right for your baby? Well, like I said, 109 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 1: not right cereal, that's not recommended anymore. That was always 110 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:01,719 Speaker 1: to go to for food and it doesn't really have 111 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: anything going for it besides not having taste or texture. 112 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 1: It has iron, but babies can get that important iron 113 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 1: after six months from either the formula they're drinking or 114 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: from if their breastfeed from a vitamin mineral drops. So 115 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 1: not not to worry about that now. In terms of 116 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 1: first food, there's a lot of things you could choose from. 117 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: It's not like the world is literally their oyster at first. 118 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: You wouldn't want to start with a plate of oysters, 119 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: but there are so many other foods that you can 120 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: start with. Veggies are favorite, like harrots, or sweet potatoes 121 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 1: or squash, those are all sweet veggies. Avocado that is 122 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 1: actually one of the best, very best first baby foods. 123 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: Most babies love it and if it's a ripe avocado. 124 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: It's the perfect texture fruit like mango or banana or watermelon. 125 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: I mean, the common wisdom is to start first with 126 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: vegetables because you know you don't want baby to get 127 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 1: a taste for sweet things first. But the tooth is 128 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: babies really have a sweet tooth no matter what, so 129 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,239 Speaker 1: you know it's not a deal breaker. Um, you can't 130 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 1: even start with whole milk yogurt. Lennox loved whole milk yogurt. 131 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: Sebby loves scrambled egg, which is perfectly fine. First food, 132 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: whole grain cereal. If you're gonna do cereal, choose one 133 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 1: that's whole grain, not that refined very cereal. But really, 134 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 1: the best person to ask is not me, it's your pediatrician. 135 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 1: So that's why you should ask at the four months 136 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 1: check of like, what do you think I should start 137 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 1: with first? I did that. You know it's gonna get messy. 138 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 1: So my personal best advice is to get that camera ready. 139 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:39,320 Speaker 1: You're not gonna want to miss that moment to look 140 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 1: back on. That's a Kodak moment. I'm dating myself. But 141 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: is there a right way to start introducing solids with 142 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: how you feed it to them. I want my kids 143 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: to feel like he's at a Michelin star meal his 144 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:55,640 Speaker 1: first bite. You know, I really want to go in 145 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 1: with a bang. I know, you with a white napkins 146 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 1: and tablecloth. Yeah, yeah, you definitely have that right on 147 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 1: the messy part, because if it's not messy, you're you're 148 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 1: definitely doing something wrong. So skip the white tablecloth unless 149 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: you really like washing them. Let's set some basic ground 150 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:17,319 Speaker 1: roles for starting solids. You want to start in a highchair, 151 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,079 Speaker 1: not only because it's the safest place to feed baby salids, 152 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: but because it's a really good habit to get into, 153 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 1: not in your lab not n CARSI and ultimately not 154 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 1: when they're crawling around or running around. Emma guilty. And 155 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: of course you you definitely want to dress them for 156 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,720 Speaker 1: the mess dress for mess um, which means either a 157 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 1: diaper or a diaper in a bib. And I say 158 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: advantage bib only for the fact that is a good 159 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 1: habit to get them into. And you want that big, giant, 160 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 1: massive rubber bib with the trench built in love those, 161 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: don't you think, yes, yes, yes, And then it definitely 162 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 1: helps to put a splat mat under did you use 163 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 1: the splat Matt. Yes, I still have it for Stubby. 164 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: He can't eat without spilling, and he's well either swat 165 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: Matt or a dog. Yeah, well I never had a dog, 166 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: but I had splot mats for both kids. Nobody's happier 167 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 1: than the family dog. When a baby starts solids and 168 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: then slow and slower wins the race, Um, you should 169 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 1: leave yourself lots and lots of time because it's going 170 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: to take lots and lots of time because baby food 171 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 1: is never a fast food. And really, I can't emphasize 172 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 1: this enough. No pushing, no prodding. How much or how 173 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 1: little your baby eats should always be his business. And 174 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:41,960 Speaker 1: also no projecting, like if you hate avocado, that doesn't 175 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 1: mean your baby is gonna hate avocado. And just because 176 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 1: you have a sweet tooth doesn't mean your baby will 177 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 1: want everything sweet either. And as for the Michelin star, 178 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: I say baby steps. The potential is there to raise 179 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 1: a foodie. I mean there might even be hope for 180 00:10:56,920 --> 00:11:01,120 Speaker 1: Lennox who knows. So to me that sounds really time consuming. 181 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: Maybe that's because I have two kids, So is it 182 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 1: really better to make your own baby food? Lint? I 183 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 1: would never call myself lazy, but I never ever once 184 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: made baby food. I I opened a jar. By all means, 185 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 1: if you want to go for it, if you're feeling motivated, 186 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: and it can be as easy as pureing an avocado, 187 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:25,439 Speaker 1: or it can be something way more ambitious. You might 188 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: be looking for recipes online, and that's fine. You can 189 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 1: make big batches, you can freeze them in ice cube 190 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: trays so that you have individual servings, but don't feel 191 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: any pressure to do it. You have enough to do, 192 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 1: and it's not necessarily more nutritious to make your own 193 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 1: anymore than buying fresh produce and steaming it and cutting 194 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 1: it up yourself is more nutritious than buying frozen um 195 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 1: and in fact, most baby foods are super nutritious. When 196 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 1: there are so many healthy options. You can buy pouches 197 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 1: and jars and even frozen ones, and so many of 198 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 1: them are organic. To just make sure that, whether you're 199 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:07,000 Speaker 1: doing it yourself, for your buying, that you pass on 200 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: the salt and the sugar and the added fat because 201 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: your baby doesn't need that. You can also sabotage their 202 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 1: taste for straight up foods now. On the other hand, 203 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:20,719 Speaker 1: you mentioned cinnamon earlier and spices are fine. I mean, 204 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 1: Sebby loves garlic right now, it's ironic. No, you don't 205 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: love garlic, but spices, whether it's cinnamon, garlic, curry, some 206 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: babies absolutely love that and there's no reason not to 207 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: give it to them. Sebby loves garlic because his dad 208 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: is Lebanese, so it's probably genetic. Because I hate garlic. 209 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: I'm like a vampire, you know. And sometimes, you know, 210 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 1: the flavor learning does begin in utero, but clearly it 211 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: was not going on in your utero, definitely not. So. 212 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 1: I know you're supposed to keep trying when a baby 213 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 1: doesn't like a food, but realistically, how many times this 214 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 1: feels like really stressful. I get really upset when my 215 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: baby is uncomfortable or upset. It is realistic, yeah, I 216 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 1: mean it could take actually ten or fifteen tries of 217 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:09,679 Speaker 1: the same food before your baby decides to accept and 218 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: lap up something that you're offering a new food. So 219 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: if first you don't succeed, just try to try again, 220 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 1: you know, wait a few days, wait until next month, 221 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 1: and then try again before your baby gets stuck into 222 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: a preschool run of only liking one or two foods 223 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 1: like both My children right now. Yeah, maybe what foods 224 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: are no knows anything that a baby can choke on. 225 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:39,160 Speaker 1: Um No, gagging is completely different. We'll get into that later. 226 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:43,000 Speaker 1: So nothing they can choke on. Honey, No honey for 227 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 1: your little honey in the first year. Skip juice for 228 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 1: the first year at least. I mean, there's no compelling 229 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:52,840 Speaker 1: reason to give your child juice anyway. Otherwise, most pedutricians 230 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: are gonna, okay, most foods in a baby friendly form 231 00:13:56,280 --> 00:14:01,200 Speaker 1: for most babies. And what about allergies and starting foods 232 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:05,479 Speaker 1: that allergetic You know, they're dreaded, but not that uncommon. 233 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:09,200 Speaker 1: You know, this has actually changed a lot. Doctors used 234 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 1: to think it was important to hold off on allergenic foods, 235 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 1: so nuts, peanuts, egg whites until after the first birthday. 236 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: That's definitely what I did with you and Wyatt. But 237 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: now research shows that introducing allergenic foods earlier, say it's 238 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: six months, can reduce the baby's risk of developing allergies. 239 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 1: So first thing you do, always check with a pediatrician 240 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 1: for the go ahead. But most are going to suggest 241 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: offering peanuts for instance, not obviously not peanuts in baby 242 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 1: friendly form. There are mixing powders or pouches designed to 243 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: introduce allergenic foods like peanuts to babies. I did that, 244 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 1: was Seby. I did that was Seby. So at least 245 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: we know he's not allergic to peanuts. I don't think. 246 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: I don't think Lennox has ever tried a peanut or 247 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: a peanut butter. He's never had a nut but and 248 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,960 Speaker 1: of course scrambled eggs. Sebi loves and loves eggs. Yeah, 249 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: go figure. Do you need to introduce one food at 250 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 1: a time. I assume that's probably great for allergy detecting. Again, 251 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: check with the pediatrition. Most are going to suggest waiting 252 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:16,640 Speaker 1: a few days between new foods. Um introduce one, then 253 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: wait a few days to see if there's any kind 254 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 1: of allergic reaction, which there usually isn't, and then go 255 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 1: on to another food. How should you feed solids in 256 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 1: the beginning? Do you start with breakfast, lunch, and dinner? 257 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,120 Speaker 1: How do you know how much exactly to give them? 258 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 1: You know, the important thing to remember is that press 259 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:38,960 Speaker 1: milk formula. Those are the mainstays of the baby side 260 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 1: until the first birthday. Solids aren't really about the nutrition, 261 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: They're about the experience. They're not about serving sizes. They're 262 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: not about you know, how much you give and how 263 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: often you give it. For now, just consider nutritional gravy. Right, 264 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:57,040 Speaker 1: it's not supposed to take the place of rest milk 265 00:15:57,160 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: or formula. And there really aren't any rules about how 266 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 1: many meals to clearly start with one meal. See how 267 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: that goes. What you want is your baby to be 268 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: in a really good mood, not the cranky hour. That's 269 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: not the best time to give it. Um Also not 270 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 1: when they're overtired, when they're starving, because if they're in 271 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: the market for breasts or a bottle and are really hungry, 272 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: they're just not going to take that food. So it 273 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: is a better idea to give them that solid meal 274 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:28,960 Speaker 1: between their their breasts or bottle feeding so that they're 275 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: not starving or stuff to the gills. And then once 276 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,000 Speaker 1: your baby gets used to one meal, then you can 277 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: move to two and then eventually three as you get 278 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: closer to the first birthday. And at that point you 279 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: can also add a you know, a little snack here 280 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: and there. Okay, so now onto a big one baby 281 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: lead meaning I didn't do it with one, but I 282 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: did do it with Sebby and I'm really glad I 283 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: did because Seby eats way more than Lennox. I know 284 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,200 Speaker 1: a lot of parents are doing it. It's kind of 285 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:10,919 Speaker 1: like the hip cool thing to do, but I also 286 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,880 Speaker 1: know parents who are terrified that their baby will choke. 287 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,439 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm still scary of my kids choking. I 288 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:19,160 Speaker 1: wanted them as seven, and I'll probably be nervous when 289 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 1: he's twenty. But there have been a couple of near 290 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:25,640 Speaker 1: misses seven there. Yeah, there has for both of them. 291 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: But it was something they found on the floor, not 292 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 1: something you put in front of them. So there's that. 293 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:33,439 Speaker 1: I mean, like a lego. Yeah. So I am a 294 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 1: fan of baby lead weaning. What it is, um, it's 295 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: literally letting baby lead the way on solids, and I 296 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:43,679 Speaker 1: hear it over and over again from parents who have 297 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:47,640 Speaker 1: tried it. Babies love it and they end up being 298 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: more adventurous eaters. So it's true what you said. Let's 299 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: break it down. First things first, check with a pediatrician. UM. Now, 300 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 1: the AP doesn't come out for or against baby lead weaning, 301 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: but it's always a good idea to get your pediatricians. Take. 302 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 1: What you do with this is you put the food 303 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:08,959 Speaker 1: on a high chair tray and you let baby go 304 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:12,159 Speaker 1: to town. Simple as that you let them touch it, 305 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: smear it. Ultimately, the hope is that they put it 306 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 1: in their mouth. At some point, I had a mom 307 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:21,440 Speaker 1: post a video on my Facebook page which was hysterical. 308 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 1: She gave her baby spaghetti with tomato sauce, and the 309 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: baby couldn't get her hands on spaghetti because it was 310 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 1: so slippery. So she literally she just put her head 311 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,399 Speaker 1: down on the high chair tray and she licked the 312 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:38,200 Speaker 1: sauce off the spaghetti, and she was happy as a clam. 313 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: She was happy as a clamp. I mean, it should 314 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: look like a crime scene when you're done with Oh 315 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 1: my gosh, remember when Sevy had that red packet and 316 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: it was all over him at your house. Actually it 317 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:54,640 Speaker 1: looks like he was, like, you know, wanted by the FBI. Yeah, 318 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 1: that's that comes with the territory. I mean, the rules 319 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 1: are as long as the food that you're giving your 320 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 1: baby is small pieces, and as long as those small 321 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 1: pieces can be mushed together by their gums, then then 322 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: it's ago. So I mean it could be pieces of 323 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:13,679 Speaker 1: soft banana or soft sweet potato, or soft cooked carrot, 324 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,520 Speaker 1: or it could be mango. It could be scrambled eggs. 325 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:19,200 Speaker 1: It could be little pieces of French toes. It could 326 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 1: be soft cooked pasta pieces. It could be flakes of fish. 327 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 1: It could be cottage cheese or yogurt. I mean literally, 328 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 1: anything that you give your baby could end up being 329 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:33,159 Speaker 1: a finger food. And that goes for yogurt. They just 330 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,160 Speaker 1: put their fingers in it and they look it off. 331 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:38,880 Speaker 1: So the ideas get your baby used to eating whatever 332 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:42,840 Speaker 1: you know you're eating in modified form, assuming that what 333 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 1: you're eating is baby appropriate. So clearly not a t bone, 334 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:51,960 Speaker 1: but maybe minced up hamburger is fine. This was the 335 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 1: one time I did make baby food. I would make 336 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 1: Sevy those little tiny muffins that were like whole grain, 337 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: whole wheats with blueberries in them, and they were super soft, 338 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 1: and he loved they were made. They were made with love. 339 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 1: That's that's when I say a lenox every night, here's 340 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:10,199 Speaker 1: your dinner made with love. And sometimes he'll ask me, 341 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:12,400 Speaker 1: He's like, is it made with love? I say, yes, 342 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 1: it is. So a baby doesn't need teeth to actually 343 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 1: do baby lead weaning, right. This is something parents asked 344 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:24,159 Speaker 1: all the time. And to clarify, you know, some babies 345 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:27,480 Speaker 1: get their first teeth way before they're ready to start solids. 346 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:30,359 Speaker 1: Like you had your first teeth at four months, Um, 347 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: that wasn't going to help you out at all. Some 348 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:36,760 Speaker 1: babies get their teeth super early before they're even ready 349 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:39,680 Speaker 1: to eat solids, and some babies don't get any teeth 350 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 1: at all until they were like fourteen months. So you 351 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 1: you don't need to wait for teeth either way. And 352 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: what you need to keep in mind is that the 353 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 1: first teeth are not for chewing. They can't chew with 354 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:55,120 Speaker 1: those teeth. They can only bite with those teeth. And 355 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:57,680 Speaker 1: the reality is until they have a full set of molars, 356 00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:00,440 Speaker 1: the teeth really aren't going to be reliable or effective 357 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:03,200 Speaker 1: for chewing anyway. So it's all about the gums. If 358 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:06,159 Speaker 1: you're wondering whether a food you're giving your baby for 359 00:21:06,200 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 1: baby lid weaning is safe, put it in your mouth 360 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 1: and try to chew it without teeth, using just your gums, 361 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 1: and if it wishes right up, then you're good to go. 362 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 1: So I know a lot of parents are doing this, 363 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 1: but I also know a lot of people and parents 364 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: who are terrified their babies will choke. Um, I feel 365 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: like that never goes away, Like I said, but talk 366 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:30,879 Speaker 1: to me. I totally get it. I mean, but we 367 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:34,200 Speaker 1: got to clear up the difference between gagging and choking. 368 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 1: Babies can gag on pure as, they can gag on 369 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:41,119 Speaker 1: pretty much anything. They can gag on their own tool. 370 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 1: When they're teething and they're drooling up a storm, they're 371 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: they're always gagging. It's just their way of clearing their throats, 372 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:50,679 Speaker 1: so it doesn't mean they're choking. Choking is completely different 373 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 1: because it's silent. It's want a baby can breathe or 374 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:57,840 Speaker 1: make any sounds. And that said, of course, you should 375 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:01,520 Speaker 1: only serve your baby food when they're sitting down in 376 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 1: their high chair, and only if your baby has good 377 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:07,159 Speaker 1: head control, and you should only offer foods that a 378 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:10,880 Speaker 1: baby can come And on top of all that, whether 379 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:13,800 Speaker 1: you're starting with baby lid waning or whether you're starting 380 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:18,399 Speaker 1: with purees, take your baby CPR class so that you 381 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:20,800 Speaker 1: know what to do in case your baby ever chokes. 382 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 1: And it doesn't have to be on food ps. It 383 00:22:23,359 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 1: can be on that lego, it can be on something 384 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:29,120 Speaker 1: they find on the floor that maybe you dropped, So 385 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 1: that's important regardless, so you know what to do in 386 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 1: case of a choking incident. But don't give your baby 387 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:37,200 Speaker 1: any hard foods that actually need to be chewed with 388 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:40,440 Speaker 1: teeth or that could be easily inhaled. So that goes 389 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:45,160 Speaker 1: for the whole nuts. No popcorn, no hot dogs unless 390 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: you slice them and slice them and slice them again. 391 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 1: No whole grapes, no harder sticky candy, no raw carrot sticks. 392 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 1: Even Lenox knows this, Like, if Sevy wants popcorn, Lenox 393 00:22:57,359 --> 00:23:00,239 Speaker 1: is like, he cannot have popcorn unless you break it up. 394 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,439 Speaker 1: You have to smash it up. He really took it 395 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 1: to heart. He's a concerned brother. Way to protect your baby, brother, Lennox. Yeah, okay, 396 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 1: so now we've talked it out, what advice would you 397 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:14,359 Speaker 1: give your mom friends out there who are still nervous 398 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:18,120 Speaker 1: about that first flight of solids? Okay, so I got you. 399 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:23,360 Speaker 1: I messed up being neurotic with my first one. Um 400 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:26,280 Speaker 1: with Sevy, he was a great eater. Now he's got 401 00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:29,280 Speaker 1: like toddler issues. But you know what happens. He grows 402 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:31,359 Speaker 1: out of that um and he's much more of an 403 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:35,400 Speaker 1: adventurous eater than Lennox. You know, help try anything, Let 404 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 1: them live their lives safely. That's beautiful. But let them live, 405 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:49,920 Speaker 1: let them learn, live, and let eat baby love A 406 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:54,720 Speaker 1: baby Love. I need you, Oh hell, I need you. 407 00:23:56,440 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. Remember I'm always here for you. What 408 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: to Expect is always here for you who are all 409 00:24:03,119 --> 00:24:06,080 Speaker 1: in this together. For more on what you heard on 410 00:24:06,119 --> 00:24:10,200 Speaker 1: today's episode, visit what to Expect dot com slash podcast. 411 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 1: You can also check out What to Expect when You're Expecting, 412 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:16,040 Speaker 1: What to Expect the First Year, and the What to 413 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:20,520 Speaker 1: Expect app. And we want to hear from you. Connect 414 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:23,400 Speaker 1: with us on our community message board or on our 415 00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:27,119 Speaker 1: social media. You can find me at Heidi Murkoff and 416 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 1: Emma at Emma Being w t E and of course 417 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:36,000 Speaker 1: at What to Expect Baby Love is performed by Riley Bader. 418 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:39,760 Speaker 1: What to Expect is a production of I Heart Radio. 419 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,919 Speaker 1: From more shows from I Heart Radio, check out the 420 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:47,359 Speaker 1: I heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen 421 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:52,200 Speaker 1: to your favorite shows in my Arms, What on s 422 00:24:52,480 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 1: Stain Nija Nija Baby Baby Stakes, Time Stand Stays the 423 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:02,719 Speaker 1: sas