When did you start giving table foods to your baby?

[kandb]

My son will be 8 mo. when we go to disney in 2 weeks. I currently give him mashed bananas and pears. Will I be able to give him foods off the buffet, like mashed mac and cheese and tiny pieces of pizza? Is it too early? Thanks for input, Linda

[alyssa810]

I would say to give him things he's already familiar with at home, don't try anything crazy while you're on vacation. Our DS first had WDW table food when we took him when he was about 8 months old, and it was french fries that we broke up into tiny pieces. At home I started giving him more table food when he was between 9-10 months old, but he'd been eating soft things like yogurt before then.

[Hannathy]

My DS would never eat baby food or cereal so he was eating table foods by 6 months or slightly earlier, I frankly don't remember exactly!

[djp0630]

Hmm, that's a good question. I know by the time he had his 9 month appt, he was eating some so somewhere around 8 months or earlier. So I definitely think you could. DS didn't feed himself until later (he could, just didn't since he was lazy). But if you cut it up in small bites (depending on how many teeth he has), then definitely do it. Now is the time! However, a lot of babies once they get table food want nothing to do with baby food, so be warned if you like baby food

[princessmom29]

We started table food at about 6-7 months. She ate what we did, just mushed up. Taht is all baby food is anyway, so it your child is eating baby food you should be fine. If not I would probably not give him something he has never had on vacation. You never know how little tummies are going to react to new foods, and heaven forbid he have a food allergy.

[cassiez76]

my son was 9 months on the 15th and he's just starting to eat some table food. he loves grilled chicken! if we feed it to him in little pieces, he's ok with most things. if we let him feed himself he does the finger point to it. touch touch touch. and doesn't eat. lol he loves bread too. thomas practically attacks if you have food in hand. he really wants to eat, but i'm trying to do it in steps.

i plan on bringing yogurt and applesauce (soft cooler with ice packs) with us during the day. he's been refusing his bottle during the day. and won't try a sippy cup.

he still loves his baby food that i make of squash, sweet potato, avacado and carrots.

i'm sure it'll be quite an adventure eating at disney! lol

[kwitcherkicken99]

DS started table food at about a year, DD at 9 months - baby food was forbidden by her.

I say go with your gut and how many teeth baby has! Veggies and fruits off the buffett won't hurt and neither will a little bit of meat PLUS it's less you have to carry in your bag! Do what you feel is best.

[California Jenn]

I would recommend doing a mix of some baby foods and table foods. We have a 9 month old who eats some of the foods off our plates, but in a restaurant I worry about ingredients they add that I am unaware of and which could cause an allergic reaction. So, while we are fairly brave on trying foods at home, when eating out, we tend to stick to basic fare, like roasted chicken, plain fruits, veggies and pasta/bread. If you pack a few containers of baby food to take, at least you'll know he will always have something to eat.

[We_love_WDW]

Not to early at all. Both of my kids ate table food from around 6-7 months. I would just cut everything up into tiny pieces. Let him feed himself. It will be really easy...he will love the fruit, veggies, chicken, pizza..anything you eat he can eat (for the most part). Have fun

[MommyBryn]

We skip "baby" foods and start with table foods from the beginning (we believe delaying solids a bit is best for our babies so usually by then they're already around 8ish months anyway). So no, not too early. However, I agree with the PP, I wouldn't add TOO much variety too his diet while on vacation, just in case.

[happymommy]

As a parent with children with food allergies (DD outgrew hers, DS has outgrown a couple, but had anaphylaxis twice), I would really urge you to not introduce any new foods on vacation. My son really didn't eat much of any table food even at a year - he really wasn't interested. He did it more out of the sensation, but once he'd had anaphylaxis from a teaspoon of yogurt at 8 months, I was cautious. He could go days and not eat any food. He was nourished enough, so that was fine.

I used to get the little individual jars of cereal with bananas or something for when we were out - he liked them, and they were easy on his tummy. It would be hard if you gave a food that gave gas or diarrhea on vacation - so I'd stick with plain stuff. Maybe a bit of bread, or crackers (my son loved Ritz, as they kind of dissolve, and they are tasty but bland, no tummy issues). I used to bring Ritz everywhere, and Cheerios.

I'd just take it slow on vacation - if you have formula or breastmilk, that is really all they need, the food is more for fun at that age.

[mjkacmom]

Originally Posted by kwitcherkicken99

DS started table food at about a year, DD at 9 months - baby food was forbidden by her.

I say go with your gut and how many teeth baby has! Veggies and fruits off the buffett won't hurt and neither will a little bit of meat PLUS it's less you have to carry in your bag! Do what you feel is best.

Actually, the number of teeth a baby has has no bearing on his or her ability to eat solid food. Molars do the chewing, and they don't come until later, but they're right under the gums, making them very hard, and able to chew. My oldest got her first tooth at 11 months, and she had been done with baby food by then already.

[MommyBryn]

Originally Posted by mjkacmom

Actually, the number of teeth a baby has has no bearing on his or her ability to eat solid food. Molars do the chewing, and they don't come until later, but they're right under the gums, making them very hard, and able to chew. My oldest got her first tooth at 11 months, and she had been done with baby food by then already.

Actually, teeth do play a part. Not until a baby gets teeth (and with each one) does his/her saliva have the proper enzymes for breaking down simple foods. Not sure if that's what the PP meant though.

eta- it's not a matter of chewing, but being able to break down the foods and use their first stage of digestion.

[minnie4me]

I too would caution giving anything new due to allergy possibilities. Are things like fries, fried in peanut oil? Children that young should not have egg products, etc...better to be safe then sorry.
Does the child eat any baby food? (I'm going to have to go back and reread the thread.) It is supposed to be veggies first then fruits, so I am not sure how far along the "food chain" you are.
If you are concerned about having to pack all the baby food, isn't there a way to ship early, or buy and have delivered? Some make their own baby food though, and that would be hard to do. You could mash green bean (if not cooked with almonds) and carrots, I guess most restaurants have applesauce, plain mashed potatoes (not much nutritional value for a baby though.)
Have you talked to your pediatrition? They don't all follow the same food regimen, I'd try their advice.

[vgrandy]

Originally Posted by MommyBryn

Actually, teeth do play a part. Not until a baby gets teeth (and with each one) does his/her saliva have the proper enzymes for breaking down simple foods. Not sure if that's what the PP meant though.

my daughter didn't have any teeth until 14 months. She was eating finger food at 10 months. She was a preemie so we delayed finger food a little.