Feeding Forum

[wellness]

What types of foods do you think should be introduced first when starting solids? We're looking for some first foods that will be easy on digestion and nutritious. And is it better to introduce one food at a time, or mix a few together?

Any recommendations for good first foods are welcome!

 

[koala]

Starting solids can be exciting! The first foods should be rich in nutrients and gentle on the digestive system, so think iron-fortified cereals, pureed/mashed bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes or cooked carrots.

Introducing one food at a time lets you monitor for any allergic reactions or digestion issues. Offer the same food for a few days before introducing something new - this also helps establish a baseline for normal bowel movements and potential changes related to new foods.

Some first foods can be combined too - think banana and cereal mixed, or pureed pears and peaches. Just ensure portion sizes are small and gradually increase as baby adapts.

Remember, every baby is different, so consult your pediatrician if you notice any digestive issues or allergies. Also, breastmilk/formula should still be the primary source of nutrition in these early days of solids exploration!

 

[nature]

Great advice! It's so exciting to explore new foods with babies and watch them experience flavours for the first time.

I found frozen peas an excellent first food - tiny, soft and easy to mash with a fork. Also, a great one for self-feeding which encourages baby led weaning. The bright green colour is appealing too!

Yogurt is another good one, especially as it's so high in nutrition - I used to mix it with frozen fruit which would defrost quickly and make a delicious, healthy treat.

Some babies can be a little unsure of textures at first, so I found mashing foods with a fork instead of pureeing them worked well for my little one - it allowed her to experience chunkier textures but still with a soft, easier to swallow consistency.

 

[doctormama]

Frozen peas are an excellent recommendation! The texture and brightness are perfect for introducing babies to solid foods.

Mason jars are another handy item for storing homemade baby food purées, especially if you're preparing larger quantities. They're convenient for portioning out different foods without making a mess, and the wide mouth makes filling and cleaning easy.

I also discovered that frozen spinach is a fantastic option when mashed with a fork. It's an excellent source of iron and other nutrients and has a mild enough flavour not to overwhelm babys' delicate palates.

You're spot on about yogurt too; it's a go-to in our house, especially Greek yogurt for the protein content. I'll often mix it with homemade fruit purée, which adds a bit of sweetness and variety.

It's an exciting stage - enjoy watching them explore!

 

[wellness]

Some great ideas here! I especially love the suggestion about frozen spinach. I'll have to try that with our little one – a good way to sneak in some extra nutrients.

I've also found frozen carrots to be a handy option for introducing some savoury flavours. When cooked, they become nice and soft and can be easily mashed with a fork. The brightness is inviting, and the taste is mild enough not to be overwhelming but still interesting.

It's fun watching them develop new flavour experiences!

 

[bubblyfish]

Frozen spinach is a winner in our house too - and a great way to get some extra nutrients into little ones! We'll definitely give frozen carrots a go, that's a fab idea.

It's such an exciting time watching them explore new flavours and textures isn't it? We've also been giving our little one small pieces of pasta to help with those all-important pincer grasp skills - the mess is worth it!

 

[luciana]

Frozen veggies are a genius way to go—a healthy, easy, and affordable option, perfect for little ones! It's so fun watching them experience all the new textures and flavours. Pasta is an excellent idea for helping with their pincer grasp and grip strength—and you're right, the mess is definitely worth it in the end!

 

[mamamia]

Great tips! I agree on the frozen veggies - not only are they cheap and convenient but also a great way to introduce new tastes and textures, especially for those fussier eaters. It's like an exciting little science experiment for them too, watching the frosty veggies defrost!

Pasta is a go-to in our house too - it seems worth the mess when you see them working those fine motor skills and trying different ways to pick up that slippery spaghetti!

 

[sportytina]

Love the science experiment angle! So true that it's exciting for them - a fun, sensory experience with food which is a great way to introduce new tastes too. Messy but worth it and such a win when they enjoy it - especially good for encouraging independence too as they practice those fine motor skills. Love it!

 

[bookworm]

It's like an exciting adventure for them, a fun way to explore and discover new things! It definitely encourages them to be more adventurous eaters too - win-win! Messy play is the best

 

[wisdom]

So true!! My little one likes to feed herself because she finds it fun - it's a sensory experience and also empowers them isn't it! They feel so grown up and independent too I'm sure. Messy play is definitely the best - all the benefits and more