Starting Solids: A Guide to Your Baby's First Foods
Starting solid foods is an exciting milestone for you and your baby, but knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. This guide will provide you with the information you need to ensure that your baby's first foods provide them with the nutrients they need at this time.
Starting Solids with your baby
When introducing solid foods to your baby, it is recommended that you start with vegetables and follow closely with foods high in iron. Vegetables are nutrient-dense, providing your baby with many nutrients in every mouthful. They are also a great source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for your baby's rapid growth and development. Foods high in iron should also be prioritised as your baby has high requirements at this age and their iron stores from birth are diminishing.
Why Start with Vegetables?
Starting solids with vegetables helps to set up a preference for these foods before your baby knows otherwise. Aim to offer a variety of vegetables, including seasonal options, to expose your baby to different flavours and nutrients. It may be tempting to start with fruit, but starting with vegetables helps to develop a taste for more savoury and bitter flavours. I recommend avoiding fruit for the first couple of weeks while you focus on vegetables and iron-rich foods.
What Vegetables Should You Offer?
When starting solids, aim to offer a wide variety of vegetables. Choosing vegetables in season such as courgettes and capsicum in summer and pumpkin in winter will be more affordable and nutritious. You can supplement with frozen options, such as peas and spinach, if desired. Steam the vegetables until they are soft, then puree them or serve them in finger-sized pieces if you're following baby-led weaning.
Introducing Foods High in Iron
Soon after starting solids with vegetables, it's important to introduce foods high in iron, as breast milk and infant formula can no longer meet the increased iron requirements at this age. Food sources high in iron include beef, lamb, fish, chicken, eggs, tofu, and legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, and beans. Steam, bake, fry, roast or boil these foods and then puree them for spoon feeding or serve them in soft, finger-sized pieces to allow baby-led weaning.
Making the Transition to Solids
Starting solids is a big transition for your baby, so it's important to be patient and encourage them to have fun. Offer your baby small amounts of food and let them explore and enjoy each new taste. Over time, you can gradually increase the amount of food you offer.
Conclusion
Starting solids is an exciting milestone for both you and your baby, and it's essential to ensure that your baby's first foods are nutritious and delicious. By following this guide and offering your baby a variety of vegetables and foods high in iron, you'll be setting them up for a lifetime of healthy eating. Relax and enjoy this exciting journey!