[angelmatt]

I have never cooked chicken before, and I read that meat is a good thing to introduce to baby, pureed.
Do I boil or bake it? What should I cook it in and for how long? I am not a vegetarian, just an inexperienced cook as far as meat goes.
DD likes green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, and bananas (all homemade) but not avacados. She is almost 8 months. Do you think this is too early for meat?

I have a friend who gives her dd every table food, even cake and crushed tortilla chips. I am surprised at this, but keep it to myself. Her dd is 10 months.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Marlena]

I'd just bake or broil it, remove the skin, and puree it.

We also just fed dd what we ate (though not tortilla chips at 8 months!!). It does not yet appear to have harmed her (she's now 28 months old). She started eating meat (occasionally) at about 8 months of age.

Do you not eat meat? If you don't, then why don't you just feed her pureed beans and lentils and the like?

 

[angelmatt]

Do babies get gas from beans?

 

[Millie Ivy]

heck *I* get gas from beans...!

seriously, tho if you get dried and rinse a couple of times really well before and after soaking and before cooking, they shouldn't be too gas producing!
lol

 

[cathe]

I usually recommend starting concentrated protein food like meat and beans at 9 months but I don't think there's any harm in trying it earlier though they are a little harder for baby to digest. Just watch to see how your child handles them. Chicken for baby can be cooked just about any way - if you are boiling or roasting a chicken for yourself, just use some of that. You don't want to fry it or anything but your baby doesn't need a lot of oil yet. chicken would be very nice pureed with sweet potatoes and green beans or peas.

As for beans, I recommend starting with lentils or adjuki beans because they are easiest to digest. You can also cook them with a strip of kombu (sea vegetable) which makes them more digestible.

 

[angelmatt]

You know, I just didn't think she was ready yet.
It just bothers me that other moms "raise their eyebrows" at me because My daughter isn't eating 3 meals a day "like all the other babies."
I will try meat later. Thanks everyone!

 

[boobear]

My DD, around that age, enjoyed chicken or beef broth/stock (if you make it's even better - put lots of veggies in for flavor). As she got older I'd give her some shredded chicken/beef in the soup, with small cubed potatoes and carrots.

 

[bebe luna]

I do think under 12 months is too early for meat. I waited until ds was 24 months before I offered him meat. He actually doesn't like meat. He does like fish though, especially salmon and sushi grilled eel rolls.
I guess I just think that babies kidneys are still so immature and it's best not to overload them w/ too much concentrated protien. I waited until ds was about 18 months before I offered him beans, eggs, or tofu.
I think if a baby is nursing, then as far as solids go the best choices are vegis and fruits. IMO a good diet for babies up to 12 months, in addition to breast milk, is avocados, yams, squash, steamed greens, green beans, prunes, pears, etc. Over 12 months~ same w/ added lentils, brown rice, carrots, peas, apples, apricots, almond milk, flax oil. Around 18 months, add in beans, eggs if you like, soy products, salmon, whole grain bread & pasta, oats, dried fruits, etc.

 

[angelmatt]

These are all very good suggestions, and they are all things I wanted to do with dd. I guess that is why I love coming to this forum: I don't feel like such a "freak" because I want to do what is right for my baby.

Sometimes it seems like I am the only one not rushing to get my baby more independent and on to the next phase of baby's life.