Need help!!!So confused...long

[Jacksmom77]

It's amazing that they don't require tests to become a mother, like getting your drivers license - i'm not so sure I would pass, hee hee!

I really need help - I've never been a very "nutritional" eater myself & now that my lo has been on solids & just starting finger foods I have no idea what to feed him.  I was confused before when he started jars of food, but it was still pretty easy because I could just open a jar & start feeding him. However, a few problems have arised since I started giving him finger foods...

#1 - I DONT cook - I'm willing but I have noooo idea how/where to start! If I had some ideas of what to cook that would realllly help!

#2 - Now that I've given him a taste of finger foods (tofu dusted with wheat germ & cinnamon was recommended - he loves it!, bananas, avocados, Zwieback) - he doesn't seem interested at all in the jarred food.

#3 - Do I still need to give him oatmeal/cereal if some of the jarred foods have brown rice/oatmeal in them??? Is there anything I can give him in the form of finger foods to replace the oatmeal/cereal as he is losing interest in that too -really he is losing interest in anything that involving "me" feeding him as he is 7 months old now - a big boy - and apparently feels he can feed himself

#4 - Right before he lost interest in the jarred food - I just spent $200 on organic jarred food to stock up...ummm, any suggestions on how to turn that food into finger foods for him Hee,hee!

Thanks sooo very much - I'm telling you people, I'm completely clueless about the whole nutrition thing but really want to get him into good eating habits, unlike me! Any suggestions would help!

[tylersmommy]

If you want to learn about nutrition and how to prepare all kinds of baby and toddler foods, you might consider getting a book. I use "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron and I swear by it, some folks have had good luck with Annabel Karmel's books. They'll teach you all you need to know! You can steam up a batch of veggies or cut up some ripe fruit, stick it in a ziploc bag, and freeze it so you'll have nutritious finger foods ready to pop in the microwave any time. Good finger foods at his age are anything soft and cut into small enough pieces (and age appropriate, of course). Slippery stuff can be dusted in wheat germ, crushed cheerios, or infant cereal (a good way to keep him eating at least a little cereal when he's refusing the spoon).

I made all of Tyler's food, and when he decided he only wanted finger foods, I had a freezer full of purees to get rid of, so I know your pain! Once you've introduced bread, you can use your jarred food as a spread on toast, sandwiches (squished down to make them easier to eat), or crackers. Once Tyler started cheese, I also made "pizza" with regular bread, veggie puree instead of tomato sauce, and grated cheese melted on top.

Don't worry, you're definitely qualified to be a mom!

[tylersmommy]

Good idea, Stacy...I wonder if you could even freeze the jarred food into cubes and put them into a feeder bag...veggies popsicles, maybe?

[datallan]

Hi

If going off jarred food you could add a little homecooked and jar together.

Brekkie FF
Strawberries, banana, apple with dry cherrios - together the Vit C & Iron absorb better. Whole meal toast slices, lightly toasted bagel with unsalted butter, I have a homemade bran & fruit breas receipe I'll PM to you. It does not take a lot but to put ingredients into a bowl and soak and than into oven. Yummy for brekkie as ceral and fruot in one.

LUNCH-
I'll PM nugget recipe and cassoroles to you. I use A Karmels book , good. There is another one I bought recentle fom Amazon. FInger Food for toddler & babaies by J.Maizels. FANTASTIC.
Fish fingers, vegetable finger (these are from frozen section but I look at package for ingredients).
I give the above FF after her main meal

TEA/DINNER

Risotto fingers, Bread, pitta bread and dips, homemade pizza with cheese, toast with melted cheese.

Debs

[Jacksmom77]

Just NOW getting back to the website to check my replies...thank you all! I went out and bought the Super Baby Food book & 2 of (?)Annabelle K.'s (?) books...lots of ideas!  I actually bought the munckin feeder bag to help him teeth & would add a cold banana - for some reason I never thought to use it with anything else...hello, where is my head

Thanks for all the great ideas - I'm actually a little excited to see how it comes about!

[datallan]

Sorry about recipes, been off line as well, chest infection and separation anxiety with Phoebe. Getting better.
AK books are good, i use them but if you don't like an ingredient replace with our LO likes.

Great dish is chicken, apple and sweet pot, think there is the chicken nugget/burger as well.

let me know if any questions?

HAVE FUN.................

DEbs