OT - Spicing it up and baby sign language

Hope everyone had a great New Year! 

Cooper's getting over a sniffle and his tooth popped up over Christmas weekend so we had all sorts of excitement here. 

I have to OT questions....

1.  Can I add spices to Cooper's baby food?  We have ran the gamut of  veggies... (I am trying to not start fruits until 9-12 months).  He has had green beans, peas, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes .... I cannot find any stage 1 spinach or other veggies.... so we are just repeating the same "boring" veggies.  I know it's only "boring" in my mind.  Can I add spices like black pepper, curry powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc ??    (I won't add salt or sugar) 

2.  When do you start signing with a baby?  Is 6 months too late?  I am trying to sign "milk" before every bottle.... so far it seems like he's not getting it?    How long until he knows what I'm saying?  Tips?  

Thanks everyone!!

Cindy

Cooper likes his veggies! 

1) I think spices can be added around 9 mos. 


2) We started signing videos at 6 mos.  I did some signs myself but the videos were better at it.   She really only used "milk," "more" and "diaper" but that was all we needed.

jayson loves spice... im not sure when i added it.. i guess when i started real people food... he really wont eat unless it has some type of flavoring... even mac and cheese i have to add stuff to it lol...i never did the sign thing

Hi,

I pureed food for my kids.  I would puree what we were having so they got spices.  We progressed quickly through the various stages(at the encouragement of our pediatrician) and they were on table food by 9months.  My son loves spicy, so that was never an issue, daughter hates it.

Give it a try and see what he likes.  I would just be careful that you are not adding to many new things to quickly to watch for sensitivities.

Good Luck.

i did spices and he went from not wanting anything to gobbling up his food lol...

as far as baby signing... it took a while but my little guy started signing about 6 or 7 months old. although he personalised everyone. i would always show him how to do the sign correctly but he always had his own vision....so keep your eye out for any gesture that is done repetitivly. for exalple you ight be familiar with the sign for all done.2 hands in sorta flip out (hard to describe in words lol) mikeys sign for all done was a full out trunk twist like from gym class. but hey we got the idea :)

How about making your own veggies... So easy. I used to make them and then freeze them in cubes. Did your doc suggest not starting fruits until then? 

I was told to not do spices until 9-12 months.... You can probably google it thought. Lots of good websites will give you the answers you are looking for.

We started with the milk sign at 3 months and started the baby signing time video around 6ish months. He didn't actually start signing until he was about a year old and believe it or not, milk wasn't even his first sign!!! He just loves the video and now makes the sign for baby and sings Dady Dady  (that is how he says baby) and I know he wants to watch it! He knows milk, drink, eat, more, bath, baby, please and hat.

On the video Baby Signing Time it says you can start as early as you want but most babies won't do their 1st sign until 9+ months.

Erika

I did not add spices until my kids were on table food.  I never did the signing thing. My kids were early talkers and have always been very verbal. I think it is because my husband and I talk so much and we read to them a lot.