Should I change to veggies?

[Jamom]

Hi.  My ds is almost 5 months.  We started rice cereal at 4 months and he is now really eating it well.  I am wondering if I should move on to some veggies? I had originally planned to do the cereal for a little while longer but read that being on one solid too long can create sensitivities to that food.  I don't know if that includes rice cereal.  Does anyone know whether it does? 

Anyway, I want to try to prevent any sensitivities to food if I need to and since dh is doing well eating the cereal, thought he may be ready to move on.  If I do introduce veggies, what do I start with?  Do I dilute it with formula? Or should I try him on some oat or barley cereal before moving to veggies?

Thanks for your help.

[albertasweetpea]

Hi Erin. I would suggest trying the other cereals first before moving on to veggies. The pamphlet I got from the public health office suggests rice cereal, then barley, oatmeal and lastly wheat cereal. (I have not even seen the wheat cereal come to think of it!) The leaflet says "both vegetables and fruit may be added once baby is eating a wide variety of cereals."
Avoid infant cereal with added fruits and vegetables.
Do not mix the veggies with formula. You also do not need to heat the veggies up. If you do though, make sure to thoroughly stir and test yourself because they heat very quickly!
The other thing that is suggested is to try the orange/yellow vegetables first. Sweet potatoes, squash, yellow beans. Then next, green bean/peas etc.
Start with 1 tsp. a day. Once or twice a day, but not as the last meal of the day so you can watch for stomach troubles!
Good luck!

[suca]

I would suggest that rather than veggies you try pear first...this is very easy to digest