Feeding solids.Custard

[natalyakir]

Hello. I was just wondering if any of you give custard to small babies and from what age on? Does it go as a dessert or a full meal? My baby is 9 months old, haven't introduced yolk yet, so I bought egg free custard from Heinz, so now thinking... Is it so nutritious to give to baby? Also, one of the engredients there is full cream milk, I'm worried to give to baby because if it is cow's milk then I intent to introduce it only after baby reaching 1yo. Need advice and opinion.

[durain]

ok, let me get this right... you are feeding the custard from heinz baby food (step 1). if that is the case, then that is OK for a 9 months old. but just buy one jar and give it a trial.

you are correct that full cream cow's milk should be given to baby after 1 year old but that is only if the baby is feeding on it as a replacement to breast milk.

before anyone telling me my opinion is getting old, breast milk is the best. breast milk will always have benefit to the baby in the long run.


p.s always read the label on baby food if you are switching from another brand.

[natalyakir]

ok, let me get this right... you are feeding the custard from heinz baby food (step 1). if that is the case, then that is OK for a 9 months old. but just buy one jar and give it a trial.

you are correct that full cream cow's milk should be given to baby after 1 year old but that is only if the baby is feeding on it as a replacement to breast milk.

before anyone telling me my opinion is getting old, breast milk is the best. breast milk will always have benefit to the baby in the long run.


p.s always read the label on baby food if you are switching from another brand.

Thanks for answering. But is it worth trying? I mean is it some kind of desert, looking at the quantity I'm afraid this dessert will replace real meal, as I give few snacks in between. Is it nutritious? I saw sugar there and thought that sugar as well as salt not usually recommended to give to small babies.

[durain]

ok, i dont have a jar of heinz to check the content but i am sure heinz knows what they are doing and putting good stuff in baby food. otherwise there would be an outcry worldwide!

yes, it is worth trying coz for the baby, everything is brand new to them. it would be a new experience for them to try/taste/play with food.

at 9 months, milk is still number 1 for them. make sure your baby is growing and putting on weight. that is a good sign your baby is feeding well.

[cbavasi]

before anyone telling me my opinion is getting old, breast milk is the best. breast milk will always have benefit to the baby in the long run.

that "someone" would be me. and yes, it does get old when a mother is asking you for opinions about formula or solid food - not about breast feeding - and you continually have to remind them that "breast is best". i have never in my life met any woman who has given birth, nursed, failed at nursing, used formula or supplemented to have anything other than support for other women and their CHOICE to feed. i agree that breast milk is best - but for those of us who were not breastfed or have chosen not to breastfeed (for WHATEVER reason) a forum asking for advice about things OTHER than breastfeeding it is inappropriate.
a lactation consultant (rightly) told me "there is more to being a mother than breastfeeding".
so - yes, i do think your opinions are getting old about breastfeeding when it is not being asked about and also the tongue wagging icon is gross. we get it, you like boobs.

[durain]

before anyone telling me my opinion is getting old, breast milk is the best. breast milk will always have benefit to the baby in the long run.

that "someone" would be me. and yes, it does get old when a mother is asking you for opinions about formula or solid food - not about breast feeding - and you continually have to remind them that "breast is best". i have never in my life met any woman who has given birth, nursed, failed at nursing, used formula or supplemented to have anything other than support for other women and their CHOICE to feed. i agree that breast milk is best - but for those of us who were not breastfed or have chosen not to breastfeed (for WHATEVER reason) a forum asking for advice about things OTHER than breastfeeding it is inappropriate.
a lactation consultant (rightly) told me "there is more to being a mother than breastfeeding".
so - yes, i do think your opinions are getting old about breastfeeding when it is not being asked about and also the tongue wagging icon is gross. we get it, you like boobs.

touching...

[QRM]

Bad day cbavasi?

My view once you start baby on these sugary type processed foods Custard being a prime example, it will be tough to get them back on to fresh home made baby foods. I have managed for almost two years to feed baby on sugar free home made foods. Heinz etc knows how to get the baby hooked on its ready meals by filling it with loads of tasty sugar and salts.

Anebel Karmels book "baby meal planner" was a great guide.

[cbavasi]

Bad day cbavasi?

no, actually very good - school is back in session, kids are great and going out with my mommy friends tonight where the last thing we'll be talking about is breastfeeding.

[natalyakir]

I just asked this because I don't know what custard really is, what's it used for and do I need to give it to baby, 'cause I don't eat it myself. I happily breastfeed and looking for some jars I can stock with 'cause I'm going on holiday soon and won't have a chance to cook myself.

[jac12]

Hi I only ever used custard as a dessert when my now toddler was that age. So if he ate all of his veggies/meat ect. I would offer him something sweet, but I actually found that he preferred yoghurt and yoghurt is probably more beneficial healthwise as it contains all of the good probiotics. I used Jalna yoghurts that are all natural and dont contain added sugar however Im not sure if you can get them in SG.

You asked about cows milk but my maternal child health nurse in Aus said it was good to include a little cows milk in foods just not to give it to them as a milk (breast or formula!) replacement. I agree with QRM Annabel Karmel's book is fantastic and gives you lots of ideas however I also used some Heinz food occasionally and never found that my son rejected his yummy homemade food as a result.

Just curious Durain, how many babies have you breastfed and for how long? When I reread the post I cant really see that there was any mention from Natlyakir about advice on milk feeds. While anyone with half a brain knows that breastmilk is best, the fact of the matter is that some women simply cannot breastfeed. Believe it or not this has been the case throughout the world since time began otherwise wetnurses would never have exsisted. I am with you cbavasi, I have breastfed but cannot stand the 'boob police' as I like to call them that condemn women based on their feeding choices. As long as your baby is healthy, gaining weight and above all else happy who cares where their milk comes from?

[durain]

defo do your own baby food if you can. all you need is a blender and zap everything in it. carrot is good coz the colour always look like baby food.

like QRM said, if you are doing your own baby food, you need to plan ahead and have a good mix of food for your baby to try.

capture your baby's first experience on solid! it's an experience for the parents as well. have fun.

[durain]

Hi I only ever used custard as a dessert when my now toddler was that age. So if he ate all of his veggies/meat ect. I would offer him something sweet, but I actually found that he preferred yoghurt and yoghurt is probably more beneficial healthwise as it contains all of the good probiotics. I used Jalna yoghurts that are all natural and dont contain added sugar however Im not sure if you can get them in SG.

or try fromage frais if you can get it in the supermarket. i guessed the custard is good if you are out unless you take the yoghurt in thermo bag with ice pack. as with all baby food, read the label and check the sugar and salt. custard aside, there's even cheesecake baby food!

While anyone with half a brain knows that breastmilk is best

absolutely, just like smoking is bad for you but people still need to be reminded.

As long as your baby is healthy, gaining weight and above all else happy who cares where their milk comes from?

absolutely, but breast milk is better. the baby is in for the long run, lets give the baby a good start. i fully understand that it is not always possible give your baby breast milk. so no more off topic on breast milk and i will get back to the custard.

[rodandhelen]

Custard should be fine, From around 6 months on you can actually introduce small bits of cows milk to mix in with baby's food (potato etc)

[Thaiclan]

Custard is fine but I would recommend staying away from jar foods especially for something so easy as custard to make. If you buy the jars you will be forced to feed the baby extra sugar from the first try, plus any preservatives, fructose syrup or hydrogenated oils. If you make it at home you can simply use the natural sweetness of a fruit ingredient (apple or banana) and if sugar is needed you can introduce at your own levels.
I disagree thoroughly with "oh if it is Heinz they MUST know what they are doing". They know how to sell baby food, not necessarily what is best for your baby, but what is tasty and keep the baby wanting more.
Anyway try this out...
2 beaten egg yolks
8 fl oz (1 cup) milk - use whole milk, breast milk or formula
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 small, sweet apple, peeled, cored and diced

Simmer the apple in a very little water until tender, then mash thoroughly or puree.
Put the apple into the bottom of a small oven-proof dish.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180 deg C).
Stir the beaten egg yolk and the vanilla into the milk, then pour the mixture over the cooked apple.
Sit the dish in the middle of a baking pan and pour in hot water until it comes about halfway up the side of the dish.
Bake for 30 minutes until the custard has set.
Cool and serve chilled.

You can add any fruit you like and I found it a great way to introduce different fruit flavours to baby for the first time.

[viajera]

custard should be fine for baby to try, at least. but perhaps it's not wise to try out new things while on travel. if i were you, i'd stick to the familiar and try new things out when we're back.