Now that my little guy is already 5 1/2 months old, it's time to start solids!
I have done a lot of research online and decided that I would like to try to make my own baby food. It saves money and it's nice to know exactly what my baby will be eating. The website,
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/, has a ton of information about making baby food and starting solids. She has lists of what foods are safe for baby at what age, the different textures and consistencies the food should be for each age, recipes for mixing different foods, how to cook and puree different stages of food for different stages of starting solids. It's an extremely helpful website and a great guide for anyone looking to make their own baby food.
 |
| Sweet Potato and Avocado |
To make baby food, all you have to do is puree! Mostly it's just steaming/baking/boiling fruits and veggies and then mashing them up, adding liquid (breastmilk, formula, water) as necessary. I assume most people would use a blender/mixer, but I don't have one so lucky me gets to use a fork and do it by hand. It's not so hard if the food is mushy enough but does take a lot of time. We're planning to buy a blender soon so I can make larger batches to store in the freezer. Using ice cube trays is supposedly helpful for portion sizes. One ice cube size is about one ounce, which is the ideal amount for the beginning stages of starting solids. Just pop out the food cubes and put them in a freezer ziploc and then it's nice and easy to grab a cube or two for mealtime.
 |
| Yuck! This isn't mommy's milk! |
I think I mentioned before that here in Japan they provide various classes and help for new moms (and if I didn't, then I'm mentioning it now!). I went to a short class that explains how to make baby food and learned that starting solids in Japan is very similar to starting solids in America. I know that in America, starting with baby rice cereal or oatmeal is common. Here in Japan they start with something called "okayu," which is basically just really watery rice. The class taught us how to prepare the foods and what consistency they should be. We made some okayu, carrots, tofu, spinach, and miso soup. It was quite fun and I got to meet other mom's with babies around the same age as Jacet. The class didn't really teach me anything I didn't know from that website I mentioned above, but it did help me with how thin/thick the puree should be. I was a little confused about that.
 |
|
I decided to skip the rice and cereal and start with avocado. Right now I'm just giving about a tablespoon in the mid-morning, just once a day until he gets used to it and starts eating better. The first day he didn't take to it too much, but the second and third days he got better. Maybe he's getting used to the taste now. I'll be giving avocado for maybe 5 days to make sure he doesn't have any allergic reactions and then next up will be sweet potato. I'm planning to try a fruit, veggie, fruit, veggie, schedule to get him used to everything. Then start mixing them up, and of course adding meat once he's able to eat that. I've already frozen a bunch of sweet potato, avocado, banana, and apple cubes. I guess I need to get more veggies ready!
Other News:
 |
| Found his foot! |
In other news, Jacet is learning new things so fast! He can manage to sit by himself for several seconds, sometimes longer if there are no toys that distract him. Tomo's mother bought an inflatable chair that he can use to help with the sitting and can also be used in the bath. He has become a moving machine! Not crawling yet but he has got the army
crawl down! I went to the bathroom and when I came back he had moved
from his mat and was under the table! He can also push himself up onto his hands now. Just needs to get that butt up and the crawling will be next! I guess I'm going to need to start keeping a close eye on him...and I'll need to make sure the floor is clean everyday! Looks like I'll be having my hands full from now on.
As for Tomo and I, I think we have finally settled in here. Tomo is enjoying his work more and I am enjoying the start of cooler weather. Tomo has been working a lot lately, which usually happens during these season transitions, so it's just been me and Jacet hanging out together all day. I try to take a walk everyday and now that the weather is getting cooler, it's a lot easier on both of us if we can't make it out in the early morning. I've started doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (again) and hopefully I can lose the last of my pregnancy weight! Although with the way I eat, that won't happen for awhile :)
 |
| On the move. |
 |
| Under the table! |
