Solids

I know it has been awhile, but our little one had not made any milestones in awhile. Of course the funny thing is that now a bunch have happened all at once so I have plenty to write about again.

A little info about baby food

Baby food comes in three different levels these days:

1. Formula or breast milk
2. Pureed veges, fruit and now even mac n cheese
3. Toddler bites

Formula is recommended to be fed up until the end of the babies first year, however occasionally (although most people I have spoken to have experienced otherwise) the little one will be ready a little earlier for solids. According to www.babycenter.com/ these are the signs that your little one is ready:

1. Head control. Your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position.
2. Losing the "extrusion reflex." To keep solid food in his mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.
3. Sitting well when supported. Even if he's not quite ready for a highchair, your baby needs to be able to sit upright to swallow well.
4. Chewing motions. Your baby's mouth and tongue develop in sync with his digestive system. To start solids, he should be able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow. As he learns to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling – though if your baby's teething, you might still see a lot of drool.
5. Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.
6. Growing appetite. He seems hungry – even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day.
7. Curiosity about what you're eating. Your baby may begin eyeing your bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from your plate to your mouth.

Our little guy had started or well and truly shown all of these except 3. He had also attempted to lunge at and steal food from my husband and I. I can assure you that babies might like grape soda, but their tummies don't.

On the truck?

Well, as with everything there are a couple of different options, all have their pros and cons.
1) Food Mill
    cost: $12.47 at walmart
     Very cost effective long term, great for on the road.

2) Plastic food Containers
    cost: $.75 - .95
     These are great. They are not as cost effective as the food mill, however they are cheaper compared to formula which runs $20 for 64 3 oz bottles. They have a lot of different flavors, and are easily stored.

3) Baby oatmeal
    The original greatest product that all grandma's swear by. It is a little over priced in my opinion for what it is, there are very few flavors and you also have to add in either formula or breast milk. It is there if you decide to go for it though.

What else will I need?

This depends entirely on which road you take.
With a food mill you will need to carry a couple of baby bowls, a spoon (clean after each use), and cleaning supplies for dishes if you do not have them already.
With the plastic food containers all you need is a spoon and something to wipe it down with. I store mine in a refrigerator between uses, but a cooler would also be adequate.
I believe - having never tried it, that baby oatmeal is a make as you go kind of thing so a couple of bowls and spoon and a bottle for mixing formula. You may also need access to a microwave.

A side note:

Remember, start slow with the adjustments and use the solids at your babies major feedings. During the minor feedings continue to feed him/her with formula.