Is your baby nearing six months of age and ready to eat purees? I bet you are excited as a parent! Introducing solids to a baby is a fun, new milestone for parents and baby. Follow these tips to help guide you while beginning the process. And if you are wondering what new baby products would be helpful as your baby begins to eat solids, check out our list!
Is Your Baby Ready To Eat?
Always talk to your pediatrician for guidance and advice as they know your individual child. Here are the signs you should look for before introducing solids to a baby. Keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests feeding solely breastmilk for the first 6 months of life.
- Baby is at least 4 months old
- She can hold her own head up and can sit with little support
- Baby brings objects to her mouth
- Your baby is interested in food when you eat by reaching and opening mouth
Food Before One Is Just For Fun
When introducing solids to a baby, remember that their breastmilk or formula intake will still be their main source of calorie intake. Introducing food is just for fun in the beginning so they can get a feel for it. Always offer milk first so baby fills up on those important nutrients first. Then, 30-60 minutes later you can offer a snack of solid foods.
Add in Breastmilk or Formula
Your baby is used to one taste at this point in their lives: breastmilk or formula. To help them get used to new tastes, mix in a little bit of breastmilk or formula to their purees. This will also help thin out the texture closer to the consistency of milk. If you are interested in making homemade baby food, you can read more about that here!
Amounts When Introducing Solids to a Baby
When you offer food for the first time, your baby likely won’t consume more than a teaspoon. During the 4-6 month period, you can offer 1-2 tablespoons of baby cereal or puree once or twice a day. At this stage, your baby is just acclimating to textures thicker than milk and the world of varying tastes! To learn how much to give your 6-9 month old and then 9-12 month old, check out our online class, Introducing Solids.
First Food Suggestions
At Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny we strongly suggest you start with a vegetable. Sometimes if you offer a fruit first then your child will always want a sweet food. Carrots, avocado, butternut squash, or sweet potato purees are a great first introduction to food for your baby. Thinned out oat or rice baby cereal is also another great option for a first food. It is particularly important for breastfed infants to be introduced to iron fortified cereal early because between four and six months they loose their maternal supply. The American Academy of pediatrics recommends starting iron fortified cereals at the age of six months.
To learn more about introducing solids to a baby take our newest online class, Introducing Solids. You will learn about food safety tips, transitioning from purees, how to begin offering utensils, drinking from a cup, and more! The class is taught by Maria Cusack and Kelsey Dickson. Maria is certified as a Pre/Postnatal health coach. She is also nutritious life certified by Nutritious Life Studio and the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. Kelsey earned her early childhood education degree and then worked in a toddler classroom as well as nannied for families with twins for over 10 years.
About The Author
Kelsey Dickson has over 15 years of experience working with children as a nanny, preschool teacher, and now a mother. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education and works for Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny as the eLearning Manager. Check out our online childcare classes, such as Baby Sign Language and Sleep Coaching 101! In her free time she enjoys gardening with her son, going for walks with her husband and dog, and discovering local wineries in New England.
