Hello everyone,
I'm a first time mum of two 6 month (minus 1 week) old boys. I know its best to speak with the paediatrician, but I just couldn't help but wonder what Nigerian mums feed their babies (and how to prepare them)when they intend to introduce solids. I would be glad to know what you gave ur child or maybe someone else you. Thank you.

Ok. When u mean solids,are u talking about any other food apart from breast milk? If that's d case,then start wit lil meals like cereals. Later u can give them noodles,bread(u cud chew a lil bit to make it soft). when giving them meat or fish,chew to be extensively soft. When u want to give them stuffs like rice,chew it first till its soft. For solids like semo,amala,wheat,eba,etc. make dem very light.

chronique: Ok. When u mean solids,are u talking about any other food apart from breast milk? If that's d case,then start wit lil meals like cereals. Later u can give them noodles,bread(u cud chew a lil bit to make it soft). when giving them meat or fish,chew to be extensively soft. When u want to give them stuffs like rice,chew it first till its soft. For solids like semo,amala,wheat,eba,etc. make dem very light.

Thank you Chronique. Yes I mean apart from breast milk.Yeah, someone mentioned chewing some food types, but I always thought I'd introduce some pathogens from my saliva (not that I don't brush o! lol).Also, someone mentioned not giving salt to babies till they are 1 year old, so how will the soup be palatable? Thanks for ur addition.

myowncomputer:

Thank you Chronique. Yes I mean apart from breast milk.Yeah, someone mentioned chewing some food types, but I always thought I'd introduce some pathogens from my saliva (not that I don't brush o! lol).Also, someone mentioned not giving salt to babies till they are 1 year old, so how will the soup be palatable? Thanks for ur addition.

Dont worry abt pathogens but if u're pretty disturbed abt dat,u can mash it for dem with spoon or this lil plastic small morter. Wouldnt affect them. For d soup thing,it's best you start wit something like okro n stew or mixed okro or ewedu(anything slimy). It helps them swallow easily. I'm not too sure if d salt before age one affects them but u can find out more abt dat from ur doc. But then u can make d salt very mild. Salt got iodine & I think it helps improve the IQ & eyesight(would crosscheck that though). In btw,I supply huggies,pampers,wipes(all uk) incase u need. 07083971264

As per salt.... you can mix ground crayfish with the draw soup ... you don't need salt.... I sometimes use a sodium free seasoning salt( ). But crayfish works great!

You can also visit the food section, there is a thread there for food ideas for infants.

I dont particularly agree about the chewing part. All you need to do is cook until its soft, blend or mash with a fork.

Foods you may cook:
rice, (cook till very soft, mash, add vegetables, mash or blend(using a blender)
fruits like apples are good, but you have to boil until soft, then mash.
indomie is good too.
with the crayfish please blend carefully to ensure there are no sharp bits in it. After, blending, sift using a sieve.
potatoes are good too.
you can alsoblend a mix of softly cooked veggies too.

Thank you all for your responses. I am getting a clearer picture of what to offer them. I'm checking out the food thread right away. tnx.

Most babies like bananas, I give my daughter fruits eg soft mangoes, soft pawpaw and u can bled pineapples for them too. U can also add the fruits to their custard or oats, very nutritious.

If you are talking of solids and African, I suggest amala (yam) with okro/ewedu with stew (not peppery o) with mackerel fish without the bones. You can also mash yam with egg york with a bit of stew too. The earlier they get used to your adult family menu the better the transition so make your own soups and stews baby friendly. Most babies love soft scrambled eggs too but please make sure its properly cooked and not runny.

You can also check some more on food and nutrition for infants here:

http://www.nigerianparentsforum.com/index.php/board,7.0.html

You can also wash some beans to remove the coat, then cook till very soft. Mash it. Add some palm oil and blended crayfish for added nutrition. Babies usually love this recipe.

coldgate: You can also wash some beans to remove the coat, then cook till very soft. Mash it. Add some palm oil and blended crayfish for added nutrition. Babies usually love this recipe.

Like thick gbegiri... yum! My kids love it too. I actually use it for stew for them.

coldgate: You can also wash some beans to remove the coat, then cook till very soft. Mash it. Add some palm oil and blended crayfish for added nutrition. Babies usually love this recipe.

will certainly try this.

parisienne: Most babies like bananas, I give my daughter fruits eg soft mangoes, soft pawpaw and u can bled pineapples for them too. U can also add the fruits to their custard or oats, very nutritious.

Oats? Are you serious a 6 month old can take oats? I'll try it too if so. Tnx.

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