When to start Meat?

[newbelly2002]

Still trying to get the hang of this solids thing. . .

We were at the Dr.'s yesterday for DS's 6 mth (well, 6.5) check-up. He has had a slight sensitivity to fruit so she recommended staying away from anything with heavy acid (apples, peaches, etc.). She said to continue with vegetables as we were doing, but to add meat (pureed) and noodles in the coming week. Meat?

Her reasoning was for the iron since the cereals over here (one of which is called "reisschleim"--appetizing, no?) are not iron-fortified. I was just wondering when y'all introduced anything beyond fruits, veggies and cereals.

In addition, my mother has a number of strong allergies so I am taking it very easy with the introduction of any grains (wheat, corn, etc). On a seperate note: does anyone know what sort of grain "spelt" is? That's the English translation of "dinkel," and both are completely unknown to me.

TIA!
Paula

[August Mom]

Sorry, I don't have any answers for you on the meat question, but spelt is an alternative to wheat. I attached a few links about spelt for you:

http://www.bobsredmill.com/recipe/detail.php?rid=595
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/purityf.htm
http://www.dovesfarm-organic.co.uk/info-spelt.htm
http://www.purityfoods.com/what.html

[mamahill]

I just barely started introducing meat to Ainsleigh about a month ago, though I had read I could/should have started around months. I tried giving her some of the jarred meat (just meat) and she violently shivered at it. The poor thing continued to open her little bird mouth, but kept shivering, like it was so gross. My cats liked it, though!

I mix formula with Ainsleigh's cereal to ensure she's getting iron - maybe trying that? My ped said to introduce meat just so they can get used to the taste/texture, and bc it brings some protein to their diet. I've ground up chicken in my food grinder and added a little water, but she still shivers a little at it. I have to serve it with cereal and a veggie to mask the taste.

Cereal here is pretty light -- do you have family who could send you some? (not that the cereal there isn't good, I was just wondering) Heck, I'll be happy to ship you a few boxes if it would make you feel better - let me know!

[Karenn]

My ped. said to wait until nine months for meat-he didn't say why, and I'm wishing I'd asked. I've been worried about the iron too because Colin won't eat cereal or drink formula. I asked one of the nurses last week and she suggested giving Colin Poly-vi-sol vitamin drops. (Haven't tried that yet since he's been sick.)

On the allergy front, we're also being very cautious. DH was allergic to wheat for awhile. Spelt was the grain he would eat instead. It's sort of like whole wheat flour, but I found it to be a bit 'heavier' in taste. My MIL uses it in place of white flour on a regular basis.

[egoldber]

We introduced proteins at 8 months. My ped says as soon as your baby starts to replace breastmilk/formula in their diet, then they need to start getting protein in their solid food diet.

Proteins are actually pretty easy. Tofu is a great source of protein. As for meat, Sarah's first "meat" was regular boneless chicken breast that I ground up in my mini-chopper. Babies do well with ground beef as well.

HTH,

[AngelaS]

I wait until almost a year. My dd is currently still bf 4X a day at 9 months old, so I know she's getting plenty of iron from that. She's starting to eat more table food, so she occasionally gets some meat with whatever I feed her, but I refuse to buy those nasty looking jars of pureed meat. LOL