Feeding Your Baby

Cecelia is almost 5 months and I can hardly beleive it. At her 4 month shots the nurse mentioned some things about starting solid foods. She mentioned a free two hour class I could take to help get me started. When I went to register for it, I found one that had two more spots left open. I registered and then thought "who could I get with a baby near the same age as mine to register too?". Sarah Merril! I love Sarah and I love Enzo. It's a pathetic excuse I know, but with the distance we live from them I don't feel like we get to see them as much as I'd like. Our babies are two weeks apart and they are so cute when they get together. They love to interact with each other and play together in their own tiny ways. Their temperaments are very similar and I think Sarah and I have had some very similar feelings and struggles as pregnant women, and as first time moms.
Cecelia was very fussy in class today for some reason - which in very unlike her. To be honest I didn't get too much out of it, but the things I did catch were new information and very helpful to me.
Here are the notes I scribbled down:
Start each new food for 2-3 days and watch for any reactions. Start with Iron rich foods - introduce about 5 sources of iron first. Then move to vitamin C rich foods to help absorb the iron - introduce 2-3 different vitamin C sources, and then move on to other foods. The first texture babies need is as close to liquids as you can get - purees and such. Use meat as a source of iron - boil it and blend it up with some water to a puree form. You can also use eggs. Yogurts and cheeses are okay right away after the iron and vitamin C rich foods. Use plain yogurt (something with no sugars) and with at least 2.5% milk fats. Milk is okay to start around 9-12 months in portions less than 3 cups per day. Use 3.5% milk until at least 2 years. Do not use soy or other plant based milks until 2 years because they are lacking in nutrients that young growing kids need. It is recommended to use a cup from the beginning to help with the transition from breast. Do not put juice, milk or water in a bottle or even a sippie cup. Be okay with the mess and let them learn - let them feed themselves and let them use a cup.