Hi, I'd love to hear of some good ideas or hints that save time and make it easier and less messy (if that is at all possible!) when feeding solids to twins.

I have 4 1/2 month old b/g twins, Charlotte and Samuel, who are just great and I love them even more because they already both sleep through the night! Every day I thank the sleep gods so they will continue to bless me.

What are some good foods for when you are out?
Is is worth doing the freeze the food in the ice cube thing or is it better doing bigger portions for twins?
Is is hard to keep track of who has eaten what and how much?
Is is hard to accomodate 2 different appetites?
What happens if one likes something and the other one doesn't?
Should you offer an alternative if the first thing is refused?

Cheers

B

Ah the joys of solids (or really runny baby rice at 4 1/2 months!).

Is it worth doing the freeze the food in the ice cube thing or is it better doing bigger portions for twins? - no idea - I only used cans. I think I made and froze veges twice. I was back at work when they were 6 months and not being much of a cook at the best of times, cans were the way to go for me.

Is is hard to keep track of who has eaten what and how much? My girls have very similar appetites and only ever get offered the same thing so I didn't find it difficult. But until they were about 6 months I had a book to record milk etc so you could write it down if it gets difficult.

Is is hard to accomodate 2 different appetites? Really depends on how different their appetites are - as I said my girls (being MZ ie identical) weigh about the same and eat about the same amounts so hasn't been an issue for us.

What happens if one likes something and the other one doesn't? Depends how nice you are - if you're like me and want life to be easy, you offer it a few more times and if only one will eat it, then I haven't bothered again. I don't have time to be making 2 meals. Luckily anything only one has liked has been pretty minor so it hasn't had a big impact.

Should you offer an alternative if the first thing is refused? For first foods, remember that it takes a lot of tastes (up to 10 I think) to get used to something. So keep on offering things next time even if they're refused at the beginning. I wouldn't worry too much about offering alternatives at this stage. For the first few months solids aren't really about nutrition as much as getting them used to eating. When they're older my attitude is that, if I know they like something, and they refuse it, they're probably not hungry and that's fine but there's nothing else (except maybe a piece of fruit) - no child's going to starve themselves and I won't get into battles about food.

Good luck


Maree

Eleanor 1/8/03
Harriet 1/8/03

This message was edited by nakigirl on Wednesday, 13 April 2005 @ 12:12 PM

Hi there,
Solids and twins is fun, messy and hard work. I was looking forward to it but once we started I was longing for the simple days when a b/f was all they needed - so much more portable. Now that we are into the swing of it and they are having 3 full meals a day it is great. I have had fun trying different foods with them. Will try to help with your questions:
What are some good foods for when you are out? If you have access to a microwave then I sometimes use the "motherly" brand of frozen baby food ( inthe freezer section). They are little cubes of beef or chicken and veges which are quick and easy (and have no thickeners etc like other commercial baby food does) They are a bit more expensive though at about $8 a box (works out about $1.50 a meal for me so ok for the occasional use). Otherwise I arrange things so I can do lunch etc before I go out or after I get home - easier in terms of mess too!

Is is worth doing the freeze the food in the ice cube thing or is it better doing bigger portions for twins?
I started out doing the icecube thing and that was good as initially they don't eat much so a few icecubes between them was plenty. I then pop them out and store them in freezer bags. I have now bought a whole stack of small containers so I can store a meals worth at a time - quicker and easier for me. Now I puree some of our dinner for them so that I don't have to cook two separate meals.

Is is hard to keep track of who has eaten what and how much?
We use one bowl and one spoon for the both of them. They have a spoonful each (ie take it in turns) so I know they roughly get the same amount each. I have to be careful sometimes not to overfeed them as they love their food and would just keep eating and eating

Is is hard to accomodate 2 different appetites?
I haven't had this problem as both mine are good eaters (though early on Luke wouldn't eat veges without creamed corn or avocado added - so they both got the same thing)

What happens if one likes something and the other one doesn't?
We haven't come across this yet. Sometimes it has taken Luke a while to get used to the taste or texture of some foods I just keep offering it day after day and he does eat it just shudders I have heard the same as Maree - you need to offer the food multiple times initially

Should you offer an alternative if the first thing is refused?
I don't generally. Maybe if it is something new and they aren't keen I would give them some extra fruit for desert but that is about it.

Just another tip - I had alot of trouble with the rice cereal causing constipation. Works well if you mix it with prune juice or pureed prunes and apricots.

Good luck and enjoy!




Julie
DS Luke 6/8/04
DD Jenna 6/8/04

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Hi Cromie2,
You lucky thing having your twins sleep through so early! Mine did'nt sleep through till 7 months! I started with rice cereal and then added fruits to that to make sure the boys were ok with that first. Then would offer them on their own. The boys loved pears, apples and sweet potato. I never bothered with the ice cube trays. I found some great sized containers at the cheap shop and found that they were the perfect portion for 2 dinners or lunch. I even now have a cooking day and try and make enough for the week or freeze extra. With feeding them, I have always fed them at the same time, one spoon, alternate mouths! With appetites, sometimes they will vary and you will be able to figure them out soon enough. I do try and feed the boys the same food and have'nt come accross anything that has been a probem with one liking and the other not liking. My boys are 14 mths and I will offer alternate foods only at dinner as I like to make sure bellys are full before going to bed. If they are fussy during the day, just go with the flow. As for going out, I mostly opt for "Take Away" and take tins for the boys. Just easier!

But as for messy... Unfortately comes with the territory! But soft plastic bibs from Target (about $4)are great. Just wipe them off after each meal!

All the best
Rhonda 25
Jackson and Hayden 21/1/04

There's no real science, alot of trial and error really. My girls have similar appetites, and I find one bowl one spoon in a fairly methodical way does the job. It can be messy when there are four hands grabbing at the spoon, but I find once they are able to hold their own spoon that is enough to distract them while I do the real work of filling up the tummies.

Neither of them like the canned meats and vegies, I always cook up a huge pot of "baby stew" lots of differebt vegies and some beef or chicken, mash and then freeze in meal size freezer/microwave containers. I also do the same with fruit, which I find convenient to take out. My girls will eat the commercial fruits and custards, so I can use those for take outs too. Now that that have sandwiches too, I can take some of those out as well. Of course a banana is the ultimate in a take out meal. Always handy for a quick snack.

As long as you take it slow, introduce new foods and tastes and textures slowly, you should manage just fine.

There is a great book by Robin Barker which gives lots of helpful information, I'm not sure if it's still avavilable(?), it's called Baby and Toddler Meals. Really practical ideas for introducing solids to your baby, and some recipes too.ü

Sharyn
Mum to Meg14/4/99
Hannah & Josie 22/3/04 (33 wks)

Smile... and the world smiles with you!
m

My two are 3 1/2 months and have been sleeping through for about 2 weeks! We are starting solids very very soon (actually Brandon is already have a tinsy bit of rice cereal - Emma isn't interested) so very curious to the answers of your questions. I think I'll use tinned food when out.

Hi there
My girls are 11 months and solids were introduced at 5 months just rice cereal and then some fruit ie banana and apple pureed for a while then introduced some more foods
So i hope this will help.
going out just use canned food for easy use. I cook up a big pot of vegetables all kinds and freeze them in small containers from the warehouse(Clints.
It was a messy and fun experience for me and still is.
Just keep on trying new tastes and i kept track of all their food in a exerise book for about 5 months for food allergies if they arise.
THe toddler and baby meal book is avaible from bookstores for about $30.00 it is wonderful for recipes and ideas for children.
Bye for now rosie

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