Starting Solids - Common Foods to Introduce

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Common Foods to Start With

Your baby will gently transition from breastmilk or formula to the food you eat. Many families follow a traditional path of formula to cereal onto purees and then tiny bits of whole food. This gradual process allows your baby to adjust to the textures and build up the muscles and skills needed to eat increasingly firm foods.

To know the list of all things involved in starting solids, see our post on STRATING SOLIDS - THINGS TO BUY LIST !

It is best to focus on giving your baby a variety of healthy, nutrient-dense food along this journey. All you need is to steam/ boil the vegetables so they can me mashed in to a puree. And fruits can be just mashed with fork without steaming or boiling. Remember that food should be soft and pureed to avoid choking. Some of the most popular foods to start your baby on includes:

1. Bananas

2. Avocados

3. Sweet potatoes / Potatoes

4. Rice Cereal

5. Apples

6. Pears

7. Carrots

8. Blueberries

9. Peaches, and

the list can go on on with all mild fruits and vegetables.

If you are looking for some more guidance, the American Academy of Pediatrics has provided this sample menu and timeline that will help guide you through your first few weeks of solid foods.

As crucial as it is to start your baby off on the right food for lifelong health by focusing on well-rounded nutrition, it is equally as important to avoid certain foods or to be introduced later. For example, raw honey can be incredibly dangerous to babies as there is a risk of infant botulism. Additionally, foods that are high in salt and processed sugar should be avoided. Finally, many parents are concerned about introducing cow’s milk too early. Don’t fret – you can still introduce your baby to cheese and yogurt; since they contain such small traces of cow’s milk, it won’t cause a reaction. Talk to your pediatrician before starting solids and discuss options on when and what type of fruits and vegetable or meat can be introduced to your baby.

Little Spoon, Inc.

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