Has the time come to delve into the delicious world of first foods with your little one? I have to admit that this was one of my favourite things about the first year with a new baby – the facial expressions, the messy moments, the different reactions to each flavour – prepare for a belly full of cuteness!
There are so many conflicting theories when it comes to starting solids and many parents feel overwhelmed before they even start. It doesn’t need to be difficult at all! With a little bit of help from Heinz, a trusted name in baby food for over 60 years, here’s our definitive checklist on how to start baby on solids.
Introducing solids to babies is a special time that shouldn’t be stressful for anyone. It should be filled with fun first tastes, nutritious recipes and plenty of photo-worthy moments along the way.
Know the signs
When to start solids will depend on your baby. It is recommended to start around six months when your baby shows signs of readiness. If your infant is able to sit up unassisted and appears to have an interest in watching you eat, then this is a good time to make the leap to starting solids.
Pear – the friendly food
Pear is an ideal first food when feeding baby solids. Most babies enjoy the taste – try it, pureed pear is actually really good. As a bonus, pear contains fibre and is an easy way to help ease constipation.
Heinz Fruity Pears offers a beautiful blend of quality and nutrition that both of my kids loved. Their pears, apples and peaches come from Goulburn Valley before being delivered with care to their baby food facility in country Victoria.
Start small
You really only need a spoonful to begin with when starting babies on solids. Just half to one teaspoon of food can be enough for one day. Some babies will want more right away; others will look at you in horror as the food dribbles out of their mouth. Both reactions are perfectly normal.
Let baby guide the way
When starting baby on solids, gradually increase the amount offered. Making the switch from purees to finger food can be a nervous time for parents, but it should be a gradual process. From around the eight month mark a baby will be ready to try some soft finger foods. Opt for smooth or soft lumpy textures in between, like Heinz lamb, pumpkin and sweet potato which offers a perfect introduction to adult foods.
Choose a mealtime
There is no set time of the day to feed baby solids. Opt for a time that is the least stressful for you. Breakfast may be hectic if you are trying to get out the door and you may find that during dinner your baby is tired and cranky. Lunch can be a good time to start, but again, choose a time that best works with your routine. After a few weeks, increase meal time to twice a day, then, by twelve months, aim for three meals a day.
Stick to one food at a time
It’s best to wait two to three days before introducing each new solid food to your baby. This gives you time to watch out for any symptoms of food allergies. Once baby has tried a few new fruits and veggies, you can start to combine them into various flavours and add meat into their diet as well.
Track their tastes
Keep a food journal or a record on the fridge with what your baby tries, and likes or dislikes. This makes it easier to meal plan and is also helpful if someone else is watching or feeding bub.
Stock up
Many parents choose to make their own baby food and this can be a great idea, especially if you have leftover fruit and veg you would like to use up. However, for first tastes, it can be tricky to get the right consistency and can be time consuming when also juggling a busy lifestyle.
Using Heinz Infant food when there isn’t time for home cooking can often be helpful and allows mums to spend their down time with bub, rather than in the kitchen. I trusted that the texture was right for my infant’s age so there was less risk of choking. Plus, the meals are steam cooked with no artificial flavours or colours and the recipes are all approved by qualified nutritionists and mums.
Whether you choose to make your own, use Heinz Infant baby food or do a little bit of both, it’s a good idea to have some food in the freezer or pantry to pop in your bag when out. Once babies start to enjoy first foods, you may find they are always hungry at the most inconvenient times (like in the middle of a doctor’s appointment). Having a pouch of nutritious food on hand can eliminate your infant’s tears and your stress.
Prepare for a couple of gags, a few coughs and lots of messy moments
When feeding babies solids, you may find some infants will gag or cough. These are normal reflexes that will gradually get better as your little one learns how to properly chew and swallow.
For any mum with a baby starting solids, check the Heinz Facebook page for more tips on when to introduce solids and recipes that your baby will love. When it comes to solids for babies, you can expect bite-sized meals, but platters full of fun for everyone involved.
Meal time will never be the same!
(This is a sponsored post for Heinz)
The post Little appetite, big adventure – introducing solids to your baby appeared first on Babyology.