How to Use a Sippy Cup

Take out the filter so when he tips it he realizes that the liquid comes out. When he realizes that it tastes good he'll start tipping it himself. Let him make a little mess, its no big deal. Then just put the filter back in and he'll want to get it out.

We mostly gave him small pieces of whatever we were eating.

A good website I used for ideas when I made him his own meals was:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

Anything you eat, only softer and smaller. This will be good because later, he won't ne do picky and want a seperate meal.

HI M.- As long as it is in small bites and without much salt or sugar (or fried, nuts or other "danger foods") he should be able to eat what you eat. little peices of bread, chicken, veggies etc. I would often pull my kids food out of the pan before i added salt to the meal.
Have fun with him and make eating an adventure!
B.

Some of my son's favorites are:
-deli turkey

-cans of Swanson white meat chicken (although these are really high in sodium so I try not to give it too often)

-pasta pick-ups from Gerber--little raviolis without sauce

-grilled cheese sandwiches torn into little pieces (I cook them in the toaster oven so I don't even need to butter the bread)

-fruit--he loves banana slices, pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, kiwi, and Gerber apples, pears, and peaches that come in a jar
-vegetables--he doesn't like these as much but I keep trying. I use frozen veggies because it is easy and doesn't have sodium like canned veggies. Try the peas and carrots, the size is perfect.
-Gerber also now has dehyrdated fruit and veggies, like apples and corn, in bit sizes and he loves those
-Goldfish crackers, graham crackers, melba toast, etc.

Hope that helps with some ideas!

L.

I agree with the other poster - we feed our 12 month old son what we eat, for the most part. Cut into small bite-sized pieces. That is heavily supplemented with toast (peanut butter or jam toast - we took the nut plunge a few weeks ago and he loves them) and cut up fruit (strawberries are a favorite right now). He also eats lots of cheese and crackers, hummus and crackers, bagels and cream cheese etc. He likes to pick up small pieces of steamed green beans and peas too. Broccoli seems to be too fibrous for him still.

If it hasn't happened to you yet, be prepared for your son to get really picky about his food - it's a drag, but I gather it's just part of being a kid. My solution so far has been just to offer him food frequently (every 2 hours or so) and as soon as he starts spitting it out or throwing it on the floor (while smiling that evil smile at me) the meal is done.

I recommend canned veggies at room temperature. You can find ones with no added salt and they are the right consistency for a 1 year old. My daughter loves green bean, peas, soft beans (like mild baked beans), wax beans, cooked squash, etc.

I don't know if not heating them was the secret, but she absolutely loves them. I went to a baby food class once and they recommended not warming up food, because then the child won't eat them any other way - and what happens if you're out and you can't heat it. Anyway, it worked for us. She's almost two and Loves the veggies.

You have had some great responses already but I would like to add...

Cheerios are great for a snack!

Fruit is great as well. Just make sure it is ripe and cut a fist size piece to give. You will be amazed at how well your little one will be able to eat the fruit.

I have only fed my now 1 year old table food in fist size and now smaller size pieces since I first started feeding her food (8 months old).

Oh... avocados are great! Easy for them to chew and great nutrition as well.