Raw or baked?

[FTMLuc]

DD is 4.5 months and the pediatrician suggested that we slowly start introducing solids. I have no idea whether there is a scientific reason as to why some fruits and veggies have to be baked or cooked. Please help on the following:

Apples - do they have to be baked or can I finely grate and feed her raw apples (mush consistency)?

what about carrots? finely grated raw ok or is there some specific reason why they need to be cooked? It seems you are not supposed to introduce carrots until much later, when is the safe time for them?

I remember as a child loving grated raw apple/carrot mix, and would like to introduce DD to it.

TIA

[new_mom_mry]

I would say baked for the apples, even though your DD will not get the experience of the texture that you are thinking of if you were to finely grate the apples. Raw might definitely be an option down the road though! I just introduced solids to my 5.5 month DS and would recommend doing it slowly and (unlike me) waiting the requisite 4-5 days of giving the same food. I didn't wait because I did not observe a reaction, but now I understand that reaction is a comprehensive term, and refers to more than just an allergic reaction, e.g., he got constipated 1 week after starting solids after trying 4-5different things during that span of time. If I had a chance to do it again, I would have started with pears or something else stage 1 but poop conducive. Good luck and have fun!

[holyspirit1985]

I'd bake/cook the apples and carrots, just to help for transitioning to solids. (I introduced carrots to my son at 4 months, by the ways.) And once she's doing well with that, then transition to grated.

[BabyH]

What about bananas? -simple to mash just using a fork. As for apples, definitely bake...
With regards to carrots, I steamed them forever, and added a TON of water to get the puree soft enough. They can be tricky to figure out how to get just right.
Have you checked out wholesomebabyfood.com?

[lec]

have you tried the wholesomebabyfood website?

its been a great resource for all my questions about how/when to introduce different foods to my DD.

[mikala]

Originally Posted by lec

have you tried the wholesomebabyfood website?

its been a great resource for all my questions about how/when to introduce different foods to my DD.

The site has some great charts and explanations for when to introduce things.

FWIW the <6 mo rec to start solids is a bit outdated and many orgs now recommend exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months. More info http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/so...lids-when.html (You're welcome to start whenever it makes sense for your kiddo but it's helpful to know the readiness factors if your ped didn't explain them.)