I think the best book on starting solids is Dr. Sears The Baby Book. Those two chapters are worth the price of the book.
Having started solids four times my basic rule of thumb was that if I mush it between two of my fingers then baby would be able to mush it between her back gums. I made great use of my box greater.
Have fun and thank goodness that this period does not last very long. We all used to get so tired of everything being cooked to a faretheewell.
Ashley
I've heard that the reason for cooking the fruits, as opposed to serving them raw, is that it makes it easier for the baby to digest. Avacado and bananas do not need to be cooked, though. Hope this was helpful!
I'm making organic, homemade baby food as well and am using the book "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron as a guide. Raw pears are ok between 6-7 months, cantaloupe around 8 months. Raw mashed bananas are fantastic, too!
After I steam and puree the food, I put it in ice cube trays and (after frozen) transfer the cubes into a ziplock bag and store in the freezer. Good luck!
I can't remmeber - but the book "Super Baby Food Book" has all the answers you need! (OK - I just looked it up for you, and it says raw pears are OK for babies 6 months and older, wait till 8 months for the cantaloupe.
Good luck!
Elizabeth
Hi Lesli, raw cantelope was the first finger food i gave my babe, and she loved it!!! i just diced it, and then squished it a little. She eats raw soft pears too, peeled of course.
My son had quite a few teeth at 6 months at could chew very very soft things, we have given him very soft (ripe) cantalop, in small peices, bananas, never tried avacodo. With pears I would find very ripe pears amd maybe smoosh them a little bit, making it easier for you baby to chew. I would also try seedless watermelon, peaches, and the like Don't do any hard fruits, like apples and be careful around berries too. My friends 7 month old choked on a blueberry before. I would just make sure that you introduce the food slowly (no more than one new food in a 24-48 hour period), so that if an allergic reaction starts up you'll know from which food. I don't see any reason why they should have to be cooked.
I will tell you that at 2 1/2, with a full set of teeth, my son still can't eat raw carrots, he rushes, doesn't chew them up like he should, then throws them up about 5 minutes later. My friends daughter (who choked on the blueberry) is very slow and deliberate and can eat raw baby carrots just fine. A lot will depend on the child. Just stay with the baby when s/he eats, in case of choking and take your cues from the baby. If they are fine with it, then you should be to (lol to a point, my son would live off cake if he was allowed to!)