So your bub has made it to solid food introduction time? Great! This is where the fun starts as you’ll be able to help them develop a palate that can tolerate more interesting foods. Whether it’s super smooth purees, mashed fruit and vegetables or even bigger pieces that they can hold onto, it’s a fun and enjoyably messy time.
Around 6 months old is usually the optimal time to start introducing solids to babies, but remember that everyone develops at different rates. As long as you follow the guidelines for a balanced diet, your little one should get all the wonderful nutrients they need for their development.
What kind of solid foods to introduce first
It’s absolutely imperative to give your baby a balanced diet rich in nutrients that will come from a variety of sources. Iron, calcium and vitamin C are among some of the most important vitamins and minerals needed for their development. When you start to introduce solid foods you can start with this healthy selection:
- Vegetables including cooked potato, carrot or green vegetables
- Fruits including banana, apple, melon, avocado or berries
- Cereals, including pasta, rice and oats
- Yoghurt
- Cheese
- Iron-fortified infant cereal
- Minced red meat
- Poultry pieces
- Boneless fish
- Cooked tofu
- Legumes
- Mashed, cooked egg (not raw)
How to introduce solid foods to babies
You’ll know your bub is ready to try solid foods if they are recognising to open their mouth when you approach them with a spoon of puree. If their neck and head are well supported by strong muscles then it’s also a good indicator that it is time to move forward with food experimentation.
Tips when introducing solids:
- Keep breast-feeding or bottle feeding until your baby is at least 12 months old if that is something that is working well
- From around 6 months old, all babies should be ingesting foods that can cause allergies like peanuts, egg and milk etc.
- Start with thin purees with one ingredient and move onto multiple ingredients
- Introduce different colours, textures and flavours for variety
- Always supervise them while they are eating
- Offer food in any order as long as it is nutritious and the right texture
- Try feeding your bub solids after a milk feed so their stomach is lined
- Make sure you cook and store your baby’s food correctly and never reheat twice
- Exercise patience with the process; your baby will need time to get used to the new types of food
Foods to steer clear of for your baby
- Large chunks of chewy meat
- Fish with bones
- Fruit with seeds that could be choking hazards
- Anything not cooked through
- Raw egg
- Pieces of food that are cut too big
- Anything spicy
- Unpasteurised milks or cheeses
- Processed food with high sugar content
- Hard foods
Try Funch baby food today!
It’s helpful to have a range of foods on hand during this period of introducing solids to babies who are aged over 6 months old. Whether it be store bought products or raw fruit and vegetables to cook for them at home, it can be about trial and error while you’re getting to know their palate. Remember to include lots of different colours, textures and flavours in order to make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need. If you need more information about what to feed your bub, it’s always best to contact your trusted health professional or pediatrician.
At Funch we have a fantastic selection of products that are a great source of nutrients for babies and toddlers. Browse our website for more information and have your order shipped directly to you, nationwide.
