Baby first time with solid food

[Kat_von]

My son is 4 months old going on 5. I have been exclusively breastfeeding since he was born and now in introducing solids. I have done some research but I still would like personal answers.
So my question is this.
Do I have to start with rice cereal? Some places say yes some say no. I gave him some rice cereal yesterday and the day before but today I gave him apple banana baby food (not much at all maybe a couple tablespoons if that.) And a couple bites of some all natural applesauce later tonight But then I made some homemade sweet potatoe baby food w my baby bullet and im just wondering if it'll hurt to give him that tomorrow (I'd rather not use baby food since it is more money and not all natural) but im not sure if switching the foods that way will hurt his belly and/or cause allergies (someone told me it would)