Taste Testing

This is when eating starts to become much more fun and a whole lot messier as well. Baby is now sits happily in the high chair or booster seat and actually anticipates his mealtimes. He might not be bored with cereal and fruit, but probably are and now that he is eating confidently, it is time to widen his culinary experience with lots more tastes and textures.

Remember to be flexible as introduce new foods. Baby is quite possibly not going to like every single thing you offer after all, you like some foods more than others. You might also find as you begin to add foods with a little more texture, that babies who happily scoffed a velvety puree will be deeply insulted by the merest suggestion of a lump. Don't force the issue, just proceed slowly and remember that by offering as wide a variety as possible.

Food Intolerance

As a small number of babies find it difficult to digest gluten, it is best to avoid this in the first 6 months. That is why we always start with rice cereal. Egg white can also occasionally cause an adverse reaction so it is best to avoid eggs until 9 to 12 months according to paediatrician.

Photostop

It's fun to record baby's first mounthful for posterity. Some babies seem to understand immediately what they are supposed to do, swallow happily and look at you expectantly for more.

Introducing Different Foods

As baby grows, so should the number of different foods being offered. If he fusses when given a particular food for the first time, leave it for a while and continue with foods that have already been accepted. But, do keep trying new foods at frequent intervals.

Young babies don't get bored eating the same things repeatedly because they have no prior knowledge about different flavours or textures. This is also true of salt, the taste for salt is acquired. Although you might think the food tastes bland, your baby will not think this and you should not add any salt to food that you prepare for babies under 12 months, excessive sodium has the potential to damage immature kidneys.

Sugar should also be used sparingly, for the sake of your baby's health, you don't want to encourage a 'sweet tooth'.

4 to 6 Months Babies Food - Ricotta with Pear Puree

Ricotta with Pear Puree

1/3 cup (65g) ricotta cheese,
2 tablespoons pureed pear

Push cheese through a fine sieve. Mix cheese in small bowl with puree pear until smooth. Add a little extra breast milk or cooled boiled water if necessary.

Makes 1/2 cup (125ml)

Storage: Covered, in refrigerator, up to 2 days.

4 to 6 Months Babies Food - Apple Semolina

Apple Semolina

3 teaspoons semolina,
1/3 cup (80ml) cooled boiled water,
1/3 cup (80ml) apple juice

Combine all ingredients in small pans; simmer, uncovered, about 2 minutes or until thickened slightly.

Makes 2/3 cup (160ml)

Storage: Covered, in refrigerator, up to 2 days

4 to 6 Months Babies Food - Blancmange

Blancmange

1 tablespoon cornflour,
2/3 cup (160ml) formula or breast milk,
2 teaspoons sugar,
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence

Blend cornflour with 1 tablespoon of the milk in a small bowl until smooth. Bring remaining milk to boil in small pan; remove from heat. Add sugar, vanilla and cornflour mixture, stirring over heat until mixture boils and thickens. Pour blancmange into small bowl, cover, refrigerate several hours or until set.

Makes 2/3 cup (160ml)

Storage: Covered, in refrigerator, up to 2 days