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Saucer Magnolia: Nobility, Purity, Perseverance

Saucer magnolia is also known as tulip magnolia because of its huge tulip-shaped flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring. The flowers are purplish-pink on the outside but white on the inside, and the petals are covered with a wax that gives them an elegant matte luster. Furthermore, the flowers of the saucer magnolia are classical and simple, with large, thick petals that exude an aromatic fragrance. The tree looks particularly charming in the winter garden.

Saucer magnolia is a species that produces flowers first, and then afterward sprouts leaves. When it blooms, the trees are filled with white flowers. When the petals fall off, the tree grows new, green leaves. From then onwards, the leaves gradually turn dark green. Even in the non-flowering season, saucer magnolia is a beautiful, small tree. Most saucer magnolias take about 20 years to reach their final height, which is generally 6-7 meters tall. This makes the species a good choice for small gardens.

Varieties selected by veterans

Saucer magnolia was originally selectively bred by a veteran named Étienne Soulange-Bodin (1774-1846). In 1820, he hybridized yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata) with purple magnolia (M. liliiflora) in Château de Fromont near Paris. The saucer magnolia descended from these plants.

Saucer magnolia has both male and female flowers. The two-color flowers are usually considered to represent dignity, nobility, and purity, which makes them great symbols for acknowledging a precious friendship. After years of breeding, saucer magnolia now has many amazing varieties. This includes the huge ‘Atlas’, whose flowers can grow up to 35 cm large, and the petite ‘Ann’, which can only grow up to 4.5m high.

Other ornamental species of magnolia carry auspicious meanings, such as the white flowers of southern magnolia (M. grandiflora), which symbolize purity. Thanks to this association, they often appear in bridal bouquets in South America.

The flower of southern magnolia

In the United States, southern magnolia is the state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, yulan magnolia is the city flower of Shanghai, China. The British also like all varieties of magnolia so much that they set up four seed banks for it in Berkshire, Yorkshire, Cornwall, and North Wales.

Big brother of the flowers

Although saucer magnolia is only 200 years old, its relatives in the Magnolia plant genus are actually an ancient species. If we look at fossil specimens, it is not difficult to find evidence of magnolia that traces back to 20 million years ago. Magnolia is one of the earliest branches of flowering plants.

Magnolia trees in bloom

However, these ancient species are facing the threats of deforestation and habitat destruction. According to the IUCN, 147 of the 304 species of Magnolia are in danger of extinction.

Are magnolias edible?

In China, yulan magnolia and southern magnolia flowers are served fried or honey-soaked for consumption. According to a study by the Arkansas Department of agriculture, southern magnolia flowers are indeed non-toxic to humans. However, with only a few exceptions, Magnolia plants often have a certain level of toxicity. Even though rumors about the “magical function” of magnolia flowers or bark are widely spread on the internet, don’t fall for them. Avoid eating the plant, especially if you are pregnant.

Southern Magnolia blossoms are not as glamorous as magnolia, but the blossoms are really huge

When it comes to magnolia and cooking, take a look at Joanna Gaines’ very relatable Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering. This #1 New York Times bestselling cookbook will definitely have an amazing impact on your lunch.

Heroines in the name of Mulan

The Disney animated film Mulan, released in 1998, is based on the story of “Mulan”, a Chinese heroine tale from about 1600 years ago. The live-action film of the sequel will be premiered in North America by Disney on March 27, 2020. In Chinese, “Mulan” is a synonym for Magnolia.

Magnolia flowers

Mulan, in addition to being one of the most widely known Disney movie heroines, has also been associated with the Nobel Prize.

Lin Yutang, who graduated from Harvard University, wrote a novel titled Moment in Peking which was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature. The heroine of his story, who is courageous and optimistic, is also named “Mulan”.

Can I grow a decent saucer magnolia?

The lifespan of saucer magnolia is usually about 20-50 years. However, if the climate is suitable and well maintained, saucer magnolia can live to more than 100 years. Saucer magnolia prefers an environment with sunlight, but it can’t stand strong sunlight. It’s best to plant it somewhere with partial shade. Compared with other common ornamental species of Magnolia, saucer magnolia is very picky about soil quality. The trees require acidic, moist, well-drained soil which is rich in humus.

The good news is that saucer magnolia is very easy to take care of. As long as planting is successful, they hardly require any further pruning. It is a tree species that easily maintains its beauty. Saucer magnolia is also an excellent shade tree and attracts wildlife, including beetles during flowering and birds when the fruit turns ripe in summer.

Size: 6-7 m (20-23 feet) high

Hardiness: USDA zone 4-9

Sunlight: full sun, partial sun

Soil: fertile, moist while well-drained, slightly acidic

Bloom Time: late winter to early spring

10 Shrubs That Blooms in Early Spring

Landscapers value most shrubs for their ability to fill in spaces with lush, attractive leaves, guiding the eye around the yard. The species on this list offer a bonus: each one blooms brilliantly with flowers in the early spring, perking up your home and inviting the mind to break free of the winter blues.

Japanese andromeda

Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica) is an evergreen shrub that produces chains of small flowers. But be careful, it can cause seizures and temporary blindness if consumed by animals or people. Even so, is sometimes grown in the foundation portion of gardens along with other shrubs.

Winter heath

Both the foliage and the flowers of Winter heath (Erica carnea) add welcome color to a winter garden. It is suited to borders, containers, rock gardens, and banks and will bloom profusely throughout the winter. Extremely hardy, it will even bloom beneath the snow and become visible only when the snow melts.

Koreanspice viburnum

Fragrant pink buds that turn to white blooms are the hallmark of the Koreanspice viburnum, a member of the elderberry family. Also known as the Viburnum carlesii, this deciduous shrub is hardy in grow zones four through seven. Essentially rabbit proof, the Koreanspice viburnum is attractive to butterflies and caterpillars and produces beautiful fall foliage. Only female bushes will produce berries.

Japanese kerria

Japanese rose (Kerria japonica) is a plant species native to China, Japan and Korea. The Japanese rose is known as yamabuki in Japan. Both the Golden Guinea and Bachelors Buttons cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Flowering quince

Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a deciduous shrub that’s native to China. Its edible fruit appears in autumn and is often used in jams and jellies. The plant can also be used as a privacy hedge that will attract hummingbirds in droves.

Border forsythia

This deciduous shrub, known as Border forsythia (Forsythia intermedia), makes an excellent hedge or border, as its name suggests. In early spring, before its leaves appear, Border forsythia bushes are covered in prolific amounts of bright yellow flowers. These bushes are easy to grow and respond well to pruning.

Eastern redbud

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small understory tree native to North America. In spring or early summer clusters of purple-pink flowers appear on bare branches and sometimes on the trunk. The characteristic seed pod reveals that Eastern redbud belongs to the legume family, which makes it a cousin to peas, and locust trees.

Witch hazel

Witch hazel was used quite commonly in the 20th century for locating water sources. The practice, called dowsing or water witching, is still occasionally used. In dowsing, a forked stick of Witch hazel is held perpendicular to the ground and moved slowly over it. The belief is that when a water source is directly under the stick, it will dip or jump.

February daphne

The Daphne mezereum is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 1.5 m tall. Its leaves are soft, spirally arranged on the stems. The February daphne produces a bright red berry as the fruit which is extremely poisonous for humans.

Southern Indian azalea

Rhododendron indicum is a small semi-evergreen flowering shrub native to East Asia, colloquially known as Evergreen azalea. It produces a great number of lovely pink flowers during the blooming time, which is why Evergreen azalea is often used for ornamental purposes. There are many cultivars of this gorgeous plant and some are used for bonsai.

9 Annual Flowers That Can Thrive in Cooler Climates

Flowers are easy in the heat and shine of the summer sun… sometimes it can be hard to achieve that same sense of lush, lively brightness in the cooler months. Turns out, you just need to know what to look for. The flowers on this list all thrive in cooler weather, and will keep your garden looking “cool” outside of summer, too.

Common snapdragon

The Common snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is a flowering perennial that is commonly cultivated as an annual or biennial ornamental plant. When the throats of its flowers are squeezed together, its lips snap open like a dragon’s mouth; this is the origin of the common name. The Garden snapdragon’s speedy cultivation and ease of pollination made it a good target for research, so it has now become a model organism for plant genetics studies.

Wild pansy

The Wild pansy resembles a small pansy. The flowers are edible and can be consumed in salads, drinks, or used as a garnish, though they’re best eaten only in small amounts. Ancient Greek legends told that the goddess Aphrodite colored the previously white flowers purple to make her son, Eros, less attracted to them.

Edging lobelia

Edging lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a native South African flowering plant related to the bellflower. Edging lobelia is a popular garden plant for ornamental purposes and is often cultivated in hanging baskets and planters. Edging lobelia can be damaged by frost and cold temperatures and grows best in temperate climates.

Nasturtium

The Garden nasturtium is often associated with the “Elizabeth Linnaeus Phenomenon”, an optical illusion that makes the contrasting orange flowers and green foliage appear to flash brightly as it shakes in the wind. Garden nasturtium is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The disc-shaped leaves and seed pods are edible, usually getting used as garnishes and dressings.

Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus is known by several names, like cornflower and bachelor’s button. This flower has a beautiful blue color that was a favorite of famed Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Today it is a Crayola crayon color as well as an HTML color name. The color is defined as a medium to light blue that contains very little green.

Giant larkspur

Giant larkspur is a native of Eurasia but is widely grown in the United States as an ornamental. Giant larkspur is known for its tall spikes of blooms in blue, pink, or white. This plant is considered poisonous due to specific types of alkaloids found in the aerial parts and the seeds.

Pot marigold

The Pot marigold is a herbaceous perennial plant often recognized by its thick, orange-yellow blooms with numerous petals. Flowers of the Pot marigold have a long history of table use. They are often served in salads or as a decoration. The flowers can also be made into a similarly-colored dye for foods, textiles, or cosmetic products.

Stiff twinspur

(Diascia rigescens) is also called Stiff twinspur or Bride’s saddle. It is a sprawling plant that will grow from 8 to 10 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide, forming a mat of heart-shaped leaves. It blooms from summer to fall with pink flowers. It thrives in full sun and prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Makes a nice ground cover.

Garden petunia

Garden petunia (Petunia atkinsiana) is a hybrid species of garden plant that describes all hybrids between the two petunia species P. axillaris and P. integrifolia. When grown for gardening, these flowers are relatively easy to grow, can survive in hot climates. Garden petunia require hours of sunlight each day.

How Should I Start My Baby on Solid Foods?

Parents naturally worry about how their baby will cope with solid foods when making the transition from breast milk or formula. Within this article, we are covering everything you need to know about starting your baby on solids, what you need to know, and what you should avoid.

Babies should start eating solid foods when they are around six months of age. When your baby starts on solids, they’ll only require a small amount of food prior to their milk feed.

Parents should not worry about how much their baby eats at first; the important thing is ensuring they’re used to strange textures and flavor, as well as how to move solids around their mouth and swallow safely. Your baby will get plenty of nutrients and energy from formula and breast milk.

However, there are some foods you should keep out of your baby’s diet, such as sugar and salt (plus gravy and stock cubes). Babies should avoid salty foods as they can cause issues with their kidneys, while sugar leads to tooth decay.

Tips for Starting Your Baby on Solid Food

Follow these tips to start your baby eating solid foods correctly:

Tips to get your baby off to a good start with solid foods:

Eating will be a new and challenging skill. Accept your child may struggle to adapt to foods and textures. Babies progress onto solids at their own pace. Give them plenty of encouragement and praise them when they do a good job.
Give them plenty of time to eat, particularly into those first few weeks.
Learn to go at your baby’s feeding pace. Follow their cue when they are full or if they are hungry for more. They’ll show signs when they’ve had enough, usually closing their mouth or turning away from the food. If you use a spoon, wait for them to open their mouth before feeding them. Never force your child to eat. Wait until they are hungry again if they are showing no interest.
Make sure you offer different types of foods, even if they don’t seem to like a particular one. You may need to try several times for your baby to try new foods or flavors. Some days they’ll eat plenty of food, while other days they’ll show little interest or refuse everything in front of them. This is a natural part of the feeding process.
Encourage your baby to interact and hold their food. Allow them to feed themselves using their hands if they indicate that they are interesting. When using a spoon, let your baby hold it and try to feed themselves.
Avoid any distractions at mealtimes, your baby should be focused on their food and not distracted by the television, tablet, etc.
Don’t be afraid to show them how to eat. Babies will mimic their parents and siblings. Eat as a family as much as you can and show them how to do it first hand.

Progress with Texture Gradually

Once your baby has been introduced to solid foods, try to switch from puree or blended foods to finger foods or mashed foods as soon as they are able. Firmer foods help them figure out chewing techniques and how to move solids around the mouth. However, some babies take to mashed or finger foods straight away, though some take longer to get used to the strange texture and prefer smoother foods on a spoon until they are more comfortable.

Safety and Hygiene Tips

When introducing your child to solids, take extra steps to ensure they remain safe at all times. For example, parents should stick to the following advice:

Wash your hands when preparing your babies meals and keep your kitchen surfaces clean
Test hot food yourself before giving it to your baby
Peel and wash fruit and raw vegetables thoroughly
Avoid tough roods like raw carrots or apples until your child is older
Take care to remove pips, stones, or bones from your baby’s food
Chop round or small foods (such as grapes) into even smaller pieces

Parents should remain with their babies at all times when they are eating to make sure they do not choke. Importantly, choking is very different from gagging; babies often gag when trying solid foods for the first time. This is because their bodies instinctively regulate the food they can chew and swallow at a time.

If your baby is gagging, you may notice the following signs:

Watering eyes
Pushing their tongue forward
Pushing their tongue out their mouth
Retching or vomiting

As you can see, there are numerous things to consider when introducing your baby to solid foods. However, with the right level of patience and knowledge, you should be able to successfully incorporate solid foods into your baby’s diet.

When Should I Start My Baby on Solid Foods?

Typically, babies are ready to start solid foods around six months. There will be numerous signs they can eat solids and you’ll need some useful equipment to help them get started.

As a new parent, it’s always good to have some idea when your baby requires a change in routine. One of the most common questions parents ask is when they should start feeding their baby solid foods.

Introducing your baby to solids is known as weaning or complementary feeding. Ideally, most babies should start on solids when they are six months old.

Don’t worry if your baby does not eat too many solids at the beginning, it’s more important to acclimatize them to eating solids in the first place.

Your baby will still get all the nutrients and energy they require from formula or breast milk. However, providing a selection of healthy foods alongside formula or breast milk from an early age ensures your child is well-prepared for a healthy diet as they get older.

Gradually, you’ll be able to increase the amount and variety of food your baby eats until they can eat the same foods as the rest of the family, in smaller portions.

If your baby was born prematurely, ask your health visitor or GP for advice on when to start introducing solid foods.

Why Do You Need to Wait for Six Months Before Introducing Solid Foods?

There are several reasons why parents should wait six months before adding solid foods to their baby’s diet. These include:

Formula and breast milk provide all the nutrients and energy your baby requires until they reach six months. However, some babies may need more vitamin D, which can be bought as a supplement.
If you are breastfeeding, a breast milk-only diet protects your newborn against many illnesses and infections, providing a strong foundation for their immune system.
When you wait for six months to give your baby solid foods, you give the child time to develop and cope with solids, including purees, baby rice, and cereals.
Your baby will also be better equipped and have the mobility and motor skills to feed themselves. For instance, they’ll have developed stronger muscles in their arms and hand/eye coordination. They’ll also be better at chewing and swallowing, so they’ll be able to progress to various textures and tastes quickly, rather than relying on smooth and blended foods 24/7.

How Do You Know Your Baby Is Ready For Solids?

There are a few signs that your baby is ready for solid foods alongside their first instant formula or breast milk. Typically, they appear at the same time around six months. For example, your baby will be able to do the following:

Remain in a seated position and hold their head steady and upright.
Coordinate their hands, mouth, and eyes. This is vital to look at their food, pick it up, and eat without assistance.
Swallow food without difficulty, rather than spitting it all over themselves.

However, some parents may mistake the following behaviors as a sign their baby is ready to eat solid foods. These include:

Biting or sucking on their fists
Waking up during the night more than they normally would
Wanting additional feeds

These are all perfectly natural behaviors in babies and shouldn’t be taken as an indicator they are hungry or ready for solid foods. In addition, solid foods will not help your baby sleep through the night any more than milk feeds. In fact, an extra milk feed will help them sleep until they are ready for solids.

What Do You Need When Your Baby Starts Eating Solids?

There are a few things you’ll need when your baby starts eating solids. These include:

High chair: Your baby will need to be sat upright safely so they can swallow their food. Use a high chair with a secure safety harness and never leave your baby unattended.
Pelican or plastic bibs: They say practice makes perfect. Babies need a lot of practice eating solids before they stop making a mess.
Soft weaning spoons: These spoons are better for your baby’s sensitive gums.
Small weaning bowl: Many parents find it easier to use a weaning bowl with suction cups to keep it in place when feeding their baby.
Infant cup: Parents should introduce a cup when their baby starts eating solids and offer water during feeding. Choose an open cup or free-flow cup so your baby learns to sip properly. These types of cups are better for their teeth as well.
Messy mats: Use a messy mat or put newspaper sheets under your child’s high chair to catch any mess. It’ll be a while before they can eat without getting their food everywhere!

Food Hazards for Babies

Not all food is safe for babies. Some food can cause a baby to choke or have an allergic reaction. Parents need to be aware of how to make safe choices when it comes to their baby’s food.

Many foods can be hazardous for babies, especially when they first eat solid food. Not every food is safe for a baby to eat. Some foods require extra preparation to be safe for babies to swallow without choking on. However, some other foods can elicit an allergic reaction in babies and should be avoided when they first begin eating solid foods.

Choking Hazards

When a baby has teeth that aren’t fully developed, especially a baby under 12 months, it may easily choke on many different kinds of foods. At this age and development, babies can’t chew their food properly and may try to swallow it whole most of the time. This makes even food you wouldn’t suspect a choking hazard for babies.

Meats

Certain meats can be serious choking hazards for babies. For example, one of the most severe choking hazards in food is a hot dog. A hot dog is a cylindrical shape and can easily block the airways. Even if you cut a hot dog, unless you cut it until the pieces are tiny and not round at all, that circular shape of the hot dog can easily block the airways. Large chunks of any meat or meat that may contain any bones should also be avoided.

Sweets

Some types of candy and sweets can cause a baby to choke. Taffy should not be given to babies, especially the younger ones. Taffy requires too much chewing, and most babies will try to swallow it. The worst thing about taffy and chewing gum is that it can form into the exact shape of the throat and cause a baby to choke and can be more difficult to dislodge from the airways due to how sticky it is. Parents should keep round, hard, and chewy candy away from babies because they will try to swallow it. Marshmallows can also be known to cause similar problems.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables can also become choking hazards when fed to a baby incorrectly. Corn should mostly be avoided whether cooked or raw due to its size, especially in the youngest babies. Most raw vegetables are too hard for a baby to eat. If you cook and mash all your baby’s vegetables, they can eat almost all of them without any problems. Fruits such as grapes cause similar issues to other cylindrical foods such as hotdogs. With round fruits, it’s essential to cut them into small slices that won’t block your baby’s throat.

Other Common Choking Hazards

Nuts and seeds can be a dangerous hazard for babies to eat as they are hard and can get stuck in the throat easily. Peanut butter can also act like taffy or gum and form to be the perfect size to block the airways. Crunchy snack foods such as chips, cookies, pretzels, and popcorn are too hard to chew for babies and can easily cause them to choke. String cheese is in that concerning hotdog shape can cause much the same issue of being the shape or a baby’s throat and easy to get stuck.

Food Allergies

Food allergies are very common and can affect babies as well. Some food allergies are developed as a person gets older and is overexposed to specific allergens. Other food allergies can be present at birth.

Common Food Allergies

There are some common food allergies to be on the lookout for. Milk can be a very common food allergy that you may discover early in your baby’s development. It’s also common to see allergies associated with eggs. Wheat is another common allergy. Babies can also be allergic to soy. Tree nuts and peanuts can be severe allergies as well. Fish and shellfish are also common allergies that are present at birth.

Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

Knowing the symptoms of an allergic reaction to food is vital for parents. Symptoms of an allergic reaction usually begin to show quickly after being exposed to the allergen. The symptoms someone experiences may vary from the experience of others. Some signs to watch out for include: stomach and digestive-related problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, pain or nausea, itchiness specifically in the tongue, lips, mouth or throat, a tight swollen throat, tongue or face, a rash, and dizziness.

Anaphylaxis

The previous symptoms display what an allergic reaction looks like on a somewhat mild level, but allergic reactions can also cause anaphylaxis. This is a serious life-threatening situation. If you think your baby could be experiencing symptoms of anaphylactic shock, you should call emergency services immediately.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction that could cause anaphylaxis:

Wheezing or extreme difficulty breathing
Cool, clammy, or even blue skin, especially around the mouth
Irregular heartbeat most likely too fast
Severe vomiting
Fainting
Acting confused or disoriented
Seizure
Throat closing causing a very hoarse voice

How to Choose Baby’s First Foods

Introducing babies to their first foods is a journey for any parent and baby. Always transition slowly from formula and breastmilk to solid foods by introducing easy-to-eat foods at the beginning.

The process of introducing solid food for the first time to your baby can be stressful. However, it doesn’t have to be. It’s best to keep in mind a few things throughout the transition to solid food. The first is timing, knowing when to begin giving your baby solid food. Also, you need to know the best foods to try first. Just as important is being aware of what foods to avoid at the beginning.

When to Start a Baby on Solid Foods

Most health professionals agree that babies should be transitioned almost entirely to solid foods by the end of their first year. One of the best times to start a baby on solid food is between four and six months. It’s best to slowly transition your baby from breastfeeding or formula to solid foods. You can give your baby some easy pureed food like baby food at the beginning to make the transition as easy as possible.

Transition your baby slowly by keeping their diet mainly milk-based at the beginning of introducing solid foods. At the beginning, you should try to keep the baby’s diet at least 50%-75% milk-based and decrease from there. Once the baby is a year old, it should be effortless to transition them entirely away from breastfeeding and formula.

Best Choices for Baby's First Foods

When it comes to how you choose your baby’s first foods, it’s all about ease of eating. When your baby is first ready to eat solid foods, they probably don’t have many teeth and have no idea how exactly to eat food when they’ve lived on a liquid diet since birth. The best choice is to choose mushy food that doesn’t require much or even any effort.

There are some reasonably easy choices of foods and ways of preparing them to be safe and delicious for your baby. One easy option is to mix either cold or warm cereals with formula or breast milk until smooth and mushy. This way, your baby has something familiar to introduce them to solid food that they can easily swallow. You can also make many baby-safe foods by cooking them long enough to be mushed with a fork and readily eaten by a baby.

Any food that is big enough to need chewing should be cut into baby-sized pieces. Cutting food into thin slices allows it to be easily swallowed if improperly chewed, avoiding choking issues. Round foods can easily be stuck in your baby’s throat, so these should all be cut into slices as well.

You can even make your own baby food out of almost anything if you have a way to puree. You can make a fruit puree for their breakfast out of bananas and strawberries instead of cutting eat fruit into small pieces. You can even puree some meats and potatoes together for dinner as long as you remove the fat of the meat before cooking it for them.

Worst Foods for Baby's First Time

Any foods that could cause a hazard or are challenging to eat are not a good idea to introduce to a baby right away. There are many foods that a baby will be fine eating later on but can struggle with at first. A four-month-old won’t typically have the teeth to chew up meat, while an eleven-month-old would have no issue with it. It’s essential to be careful about any foods that can cause your child to choke.

Until a baby’s teeth have developed far enough, it may be very easy for them to choke on food. You have to do your best to be careful with the choices you make for your baby’s first solid foods. One way to know is to consider if you could swallow the food you want to offer your baby without chewing it and not choke on it. For example, soft pasta might be fine, but al dente pasta could be a choking hazard. Choking hazards aren’t the only things to avoid when choosing your baby’s first solid food.

It would be best if you kept food allergies in mind as well. It’s difficult to know if your baby is allergic to any food before they try it for the first time. Foods that have high rates of allergic reaction, such as shellfish and nuts, should be avoided at the beginning of introducing solid foods. Babies are more susceptible at younger ages to have dangerous allergic reactions.