recipes for exotic fruit (starfruit, mango, papaya)

[lovedtodeath]

i need some different fruits as my los are allergic to the normal ones. can I find them in the super baby food book? I should cook most fruit right? what about bananas and avocado?

TIA

[waffler]

You don't have to cook bananas and avocado. I don't quite understand what you mean by your LOs are allergic to "normal" fruit? Have you been advised to try exotic fruit? How old are they (more than 1 LO?)

Mango you don't have to cook either.

[Freya'sMum]

Am also curious about what you mean by 'normal' fruits ? It would really help us to help you if you could post the age of your lo(s) and a list of what they are allergic to!

Ax

[lovedtodeath]

My dd was tested for food allergies when 1 yr. I had already determined she had them through an elimination diet. She was allergic to apples, nectarines, tomatoes, pears, white grapes, to name a few I remember. She is 5 now. My ds is 3.5 months. (save the lecture about it being too early, my dd was 7 mo and she has allergies. BOTH my kids exhibit(ed) sensitivities to foods in my breastmilk.) He is 18 lbs is allergic to onions, tomatoes, and oats; LOVES bananas and carrots. Pushes the food right to the back and swallows it down like a pro. Been eating solids for a week. I intend to keep him on max. 3 tsp per day for a long while... but eating food singles a bedtime schedule for him, and keeps him happy for an extra 10 minutes in the car, etc..so I am reluctant to give it up all together. Pears and prunes cause a lot of spitting up, my guess is apples will be even worse. Unfortunately, bananas and carrots do not help him to have a regular bm. So, I am hoping to add fruit in the morning. If those prone to allergies get the same foods everyday they are more likely to develope more allergies, so I need variety in his diet. Jarred 1st foods do not provide this at all.

I am avoiding grains for a long time because I have heard that is bad for an allergic baby's digestion. Everyone tells me to give him food... he will be less hungry and sleep better. This site seems to say the opposite. I am really confused about that, so until I figure it out, I will plan to keep the quantity down. Since he has the allergies I will probably keep him on purees only for a long time, maybe even a year. Any advice is appreciated.

[Carter'sMama]

I am surprised that you were told to wait on grains as that is usually a first food around here. 

Although I am against starting solids so early (I will skip the lecture  Super Baby Food is an awesome reference guide for foods.  I gave mangoes to my lo fairly early on once he started solids at 6 months.  He loved them!  What about peaches or plums ... they are both mild as well.  I would consider rice cereal as well.  He may be spitting up alot after food because his little stomach and intestines can't handle the foreign substances yet.  I think it is a myth that solids help babies to sleep longer as well.

Sounds like your lo is developmentally ready if he has lost the tongue thrust ... what does your ped say about all of this?  He/she would be a good source of info.

[Freya'sMum]

Hello Sevenbites,

I'm not going to give you a lecture (that's not how we do things around here but you are obviously aware that current recommendations do not support the introduction of solid foods at 3.5 months, and I would urge you to take a look at the following link which explains the primary reasons for exclusively breastfeeding until 6 months:

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

I am a little confused, as you have already observed sensitivities in ds thru your breastmilk, why you have chosen to introduce solid foods (given the research that their introduction before 6 months has been linked to an increase in allergic reactions)? I am not an authority on allergies, my girls seem to be able to eat anything so far, so perhaps you could seek further advice on the Allergies forum:

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=62.0

there might be some useful info in the FAQ, or folk might be able to share their own experiences with you.

Re: the 'solid foods doesn't aid sleep' thing - most first solid foods are relatively empty in terms of fats and calories compared to babymilks, as the link below shows:

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/babyfoodcalories.html

therefore if a baby feels hungry, milk is more likely to satisfy and sustain him than say carrots. Some people do fill their los up with solid foods, and it does have the desired effect of getting them to sleep thru, but these same parents often observe a dramatic decrease in milk intake which is what their los actually need for their healthy growth and development. During a growth spurt, when night-wakings often return or increase, it's the extra milk the babies want, not solid foods.

HTH to explain things? Sorry I don't know any exotic fruit recipes myself!

Ax

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I would also suggest discussing it with an allergies specialist in real life - they might be better able to guide you.  Good luck!

[lovedtodeath]

dd was introto solids at 7 mo and never ate much besides breast milk until she was weaned at 20 mos. I cannot afford a repeat of that, so decided to start early instead of late. since both my kids already h ave allergies b4 solids, i don't see how the link is that important in my case. i think for the most part, they are just inherited, and they don't "develop". so...that's my reasoning anyway. the doctor has prescribed acai juice and a whey protein supplement called immunocal to ds, and he has also had gripe water, and formula, so I figured... he has already had that much stuff in addition to breast milk. I know it is silly. I gave him bananas on his binky out of desparation one day and he loved it so much that I couldn't just stop giving them to him. (he takes a spoon now) I will read the links. thank you.

[lovedtodeath]

Thanks Allison. I was misinformed about solids and was only looking at the fact that he seemed developmentally ready. I read the links.   We are already back on track with Breast milk. No solids, only 2 bottles of formula. I pumped more than he ate in his bottle last time.   I am really shocked I have enough. I feel exhausted. I thought you had to be well rested to keep up your supply! 

EASY is out the window the last few days though. I will keep trying!

[Carter'sMama]

Sounds like you are on the right track!  Try and get some rest but isn't it amazing how our bodies will provide for our lo's?   

[Freya'sMum]

No problem, glad that you're feeling a bit more confident and in control!

Ax