How can you tell if they're swallowing?

[PenguinTheGrey]

Started DS on baby rice yesterday. Was just wondering a few things:

1. How can you tell if/how much they're actually swallowing? Does it matter (I.e. Is it a win if they just don't spit it at you?!)
   

1. How much is a 'portion? Some guides say 1-2 spoonfuls, but does that mean 1 spoonful of dry powder (mixed with 10 spoonfuls of milk) or 1-2 spoonfuls when it's all mixed together?
   

1. When I make purees, do I make with milk? If so, can I freeze formula?
   

Thanks in advance!

[tortoisesarefab]

Doesn't matter how much they are having, at the start it's just to get them used to taking solids.

I wouldn't bother mixing with formula, whole milk is fine

I would count a portion as already mixed so 1-2 spoons of purée at the start.

There are no hard and fast rules so you will probably have several different answers by the time I have typed this!