The Best Foods to Introduce to Your Baby

Raising a baby is all about milestones, and food is no different. Your baby has been enjoying breast milk or formula, but now it is time for them to start eating solid foods. This is an important step, and surely you will want to know that you are going about it effectively. Fortunately, this guide is here to help.

Are You Ready to Transition to Solid Foods?

The age at which you introduce solid foods to your infant is dependent, but the general recommendation is that babies begin solids between the ages of 4 and 6 months. This recommendation is based on your child’s nutrition needs, and by 6 months of age your child needs additional sources of iron-rich food. With that said, there are signs that cue you in on whether your baby is ready to begin the world of solid food introduction.

These signs include:

• Support own head and neck
• Can reach for objects 
• Shows an interest in food
• Mouths objects

What Foods to Begin Feeding Your Baby

As we noted, the recommended age at which a baby begins solids is based on their nutritional needs. Begin to introduce foods that are rich in iron but keep them simple. Always introduce only one food at a time to your child and wait 3-5 days before introducing another to look for any reactions. Follow up with your pediatrician if you do see signs of an allergy. Beginner foods that have high iron content, and are generally deemed safe, including baby cereals, pureed meats, and beans.

Encourage Healthy Habits from the Start

Babies who are first being introduced to solid foods won’t be able to eat much. As parents, you’ll have to watch for cues that your baby is communicating they’re done eating. After giving your child a bite to eat from a spoon, pause and wait for their reaction indicating they want more. Your baby can also communicate when they’re full. Cues that your child is satisfied include turning their head away from another bite or pushing the spoon away. Help develop healthy eating habits and a good relationship with food from an early age by stopping a feeding before your baby is spitting the food out or becoming fussy during a feeding.

Stay Stylish While Feeding Baby on the Go

This is a new and exciting journey, one that can last a lifetime (think of all the exotic foods you can teach them about later on). But one step at a time. Sure, there will be bumps, as everyone has their own preferences. Before we are able to speak, our means of communicating such preferences may not make life easiest on others, but it will become a smoother process as time goes on.

Once you’ve introduced solid foods into the baby's routine, you’ll have something else to add to the diaper bag. Stay organized and ready with a Design Diaper Bag so you always have the perfect place to store your necessities.