Introducing your baby to solid foods is a significant milestone, filled with curiosity, discovery, and a little mess! While every baby’s journey is unique, there are some general tips and guidelines to help you navigate this exciting phase with confidence.
When to Start Solids
Experts, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), recommend starting solids around six months old, when your baby shows signs of readiness. Some key indicators include:
- Sitting up with minimal support.
- Good head and neck control.
- Showing interest in food (e.g., reaching for food or watching others eat).
- Losing the tongue-thrust reflex, which helps keep food from being pushed out of the mouth.
If you’re unsure about timing, consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
First Foods: What to Offer
Start with single-ingredient, easily digestible foods. Common choices include:
- Vegetables: Carrot, sweet potato, and pumpkin are popular first foods. Steaming and mashing these keeps them soft and easy to eat.
- Fruits: Start with mild fruits like banana, pear, or avocado. These can be mashed or served in thin slices for babies exploring baby-led weaning.
- Iron-Rich Foods: As iron stores from birth begin to deplete, include iron-fortified cereals or pureed meats like chicken and fish.
Introduce new foods one at a time every few days to monitor for potential allergies.
Textures and Methods
- Purees: A traditional approach using smooth purees is ideal for younger babies. Gradually increase the texture as your baby becomes accustomed to chewing.
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Baby-Led Weaning (BLW): This method encourages babies to feed themselves with soft, finger-sized pieces of food, fostering independence and motor skill development.
You can also blend both approaches to suit your baby’s preferences.
Safety Tips for Starting Solids
- Always supervise your baby during mealtimes to prevent choking.
- Avoid foods that pose a choking risk, such as whole nuts, grapes (unless cut lengthwise), or hard raw vegetables.
- Introduce common allergens (like peanuts, eggs, or dairy) early in small amounts to help reduce allergy risks, but consult your doctor if your family has a history of allergies.
- Ensure that food is served lukewarm or at room temperature to prevent burns.
How Much Should Babies Eat?
Remember, starting solids is about exploration and complementing breast milk or formula, not replacing it. Begin with one or two small spoonfuls once a day, gradually increasing the amount and frequency as your baby becomes more interested in eating.
Making Mealtimes Joyful
Mealtimes are a sensory experience for babies. Create a positive environment by:
- Letting them explore textures with their hands.
- Keeping calm and encouraging if they reject foods—it can take several tries for a baby to accept a new flavour!
- Eating together as a family to model healthy eating habits.
Sustainable Feeding Choices
At Kiin Baby, we value sustainable parenting. Choose reusable, eco-friendly feeding products like bamboo bowls or silicone plates to reduce waste while creating a safe mealtime setup for your little one.
Signs of Progress
As your baby explores solids, you’ll notice developments in their chewing, swallowing, and hand-eye coordination. Celebrate these small wins and enjoy the journey—messy faces and all!
Starting solids is a beautiful opportunity to introduce your baby to the joy of food while supporting their growth and development. Take it at your baby’s pace, focus on variety, and savour the milestones along the way.