Solids: Stage 3

Now that we are well into 8 months, I have progressed to my own version of "stage 3 solids."

In all my research, I have found that there is no set method that doctors and experts agree on.  Good news for me because I am trying to take a conservative approach, but I am certainly not following any set guide!

For me, Stage 3 means:

• Three meals a day.  
• Meals often include a mixed puree of several items.
• Add chicken to the diet--I plan to add other meats, too, as I have them on hand.
• Add more yogurt.
• Add some seasonings (cinnamon, garlic, cumin...okay, that's all I'm brave enough for so far!).
• Offer "puffs" and small pieces of banana or other soft foods to encourage chewing.
• Offer juice in a cup occasionally.  (I really started this because Will needed a little prune juice to help soften things up if you know what I mean!)

Some of my favorite purees right now:

• Mango, spinach, pear (blend raw in food processor...maybe add a little apple juice if you need it)
• Peach and dried apricot
• Broccoli and apple
• Pea and pear (sometimes I add green beans)
• Sweet Potato, pear, banana
• Sweet potato, banana, yogurt
• Chicken and dried apricot
• Chicken, rice, and veggies (any and all--I actually made and froze a chicken-vegetable-rice soup) 

Will still nurses 4-5 times a day.  I'm not pushing him to go less than this, but with night weaning, he has given up one feeding now in the middle of the night.

Happy Babycooking!