[swell_mel]

I was wondering if anyone knew about a cookbook that had simple ideas for first foods. I don't mean like pureed baby food. I am planning on taking the self led feeding approach. I know this involves mostly just what we are eating but I would like to prepare some healthy table foods for my daughter to eat that I can easily make and have on hand for her. We aren't the healthiest of eaters so I know that our eating habits need to change as well. Is there a cookbook out that has easy simple recipes using very few ingredients? Hmm, this is turning into a jumbled post. Okay, so I am looking for cookbook with easy recipes using fresh ingredients that are basic enough that a baby learning to eat could also have. I have a 4 month old that I plan on not introducing solids to until ateast 6 months. We aren't vegetarian, but don't eat a lot of meat. A good vegeterian cookbook would be good. Thanks if you read this far. I realized as I was writing this that I think even I am not really sure what I am asking.

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[VikingKvinna]

Um...I am not sure what you're asking either. But we'll try to help anyway!

IME a six month old is still going to have trouble with many table foods, unless they are smushed up and fed to him/her. For a baby to literally self-feed, they need to develop the pincer grasp and be able to pick things up, be able to sit up reliably, have lost the tongue-thrust reflex, etc. I think you might have to either wait until she's a bit older to have her partake in the family meals. My DS didn't eat much in the way of solids until well after a year -- they say that foods in the first year are just for fun and practice.

That said, good first foods are avocado, banana, sweet potato -- pureed with some EBM if you so desire, although there are some who say skip the purees and wait until the baby can do it on her own. Otherwise, very soft chunks that she can pick up are good. Same with Cheerios or organic alternative.

I think Cathe Olson's book would be good for you -- lots of good, healthy recipes that are vegetarian and kid-friendly. The name is escaping me at the moment (need more coffee) but she's a moderator here so just search her name and you'll find it out easily enough. Or someone else will come along and post, perhaps cathe herself.

Also, "Super Baby Food" has some good sections on what is safe/appropriate to feed when, as well as good snack ideas for little ones.

Does that help?

 

[leomom]

I second Cathe's book!

 

[wurzelkind]

My advice would be The Bistro Baby Cookbook (my DD is already 31 months old and still likes every single recipe I make!), The Petit Appetit Cookbook and Organic Baby and Toddler Cookbook.

Those three are the ones I turn too most off the time (and I have a TON

: of toddler cookbooks!!) and the dishes I make are always a hit - also with grown ups!

 

[swell_mel]

Thank you ladies!!! I'll probably get them all.

 

[xenabyte]

'Simply Natural Baby Food' is Cathe's book. Good book to have in your pantry!

Have used several recipes from there for the kids (and us)!