Generally at six months of age, babies start showing signs that they’re ready to begin eating solid foods. While some show these signs earlier, the general rule is to introduce solid foods around this time. But how do you know when your baby’s ready and which foods are best?
Signs your baby is ready for solids
A baby ready for solids:
- Sits upright with limited support.
- Shows an interest in what others are eating.
- Has lost the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food out of the mouth.
- Has not shown signs of allergies.
How to begin
For the first year, it is recommended that solid foods supplement breast milk, rather than replace it. Continuing breastfeeding during this period will provide your baby with the nutrients they need, and can help protect them against developing allergies and viral diseases.
An ideal time to introduce a new food is when your baby seems to be hungry after a feed. A teaspoon of fortified baby cereal mixed with warm boiled water or breast/formula milk is a popular first taste of solid food. If there’s no sign of allergy or sensitivity after a couple of days, your baby will be ready to try a new food. In the past, parents were advised to delay certain foods for fear of allergies, but experts now say that it is best to introduce a variety of tastes and textures early on. To rule out any sensitivities or allergies, stagger the introduction of new foods by a few days and watch for any signs of a reaction.
The super foods
Regular feeds will still provide your baby with most of their nutritional requirements, but your role in the first year is to introduce a variety of colours, smells, textures, and tastes that will encourage healthy eating for life. By the end of the first year, most babies should be ready to eat meals with the rest of the family.
- Whole grains
Introduce whole grains such as brown rice, whole-wheat breads, barley and oatmeal early.
Whole grains help the digestive system, regulate blood sugar levels, and are rich in both B group vitamins and vitamin E. Iron fortified baby cereal is often recommended as the first solid food because it is less likely than other cereals to give an allergic reaction. Baby cereal is also a great thickener for the pureed fruit and vegetables that you introduce later on.
- Vegetables
Carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin are good first foods. Easy to make and sweet enough to entice new eaters, they contain high levels of antioxidant beta-carotene, Vitamin C, and fibre. It’s also important to include leafy greens in your baby’s diet. Offer foods like spinach five or six times before leaving, then trying them again at a later stage. Folate and iron rich foods, like spinach, are important first foods because a baby’s own stores of these nutrients begin to deplete around 4-6 months.
Home prepared spinach can have high level of nitrates which can be dangerous for babies, so stick to organic, jarred or pouched spinach until the baby’s first birthday.
- Fruits
Fruits are an excellent source of nutrients for your baby, including vitamins A & C, potassium, and fibre. Bananas and peaches are easy for your baby to digest and can be mashed raw. Potassium-rich bananas are good for growing bones and regulating blood pressure. They contain a prebiotic, a compound that nourishes good bacteria in the stomach to regulate digestion and helps to avoid constipation and diarrhoea. Peaches are high in vitamins A and C, which is good for the immune system. Packaged peaches are fine if no sugar has been added.
Citrus fruits are full of Vitamin C, which helps absorb iron and heal cuts, but may be too acidic at first. Save citrus foods until closer to your baby’s first birthday.
- Berries
Blueberries are an excellent source of the antioxidants, and can help your baby’s cognitive development and memory capacity. They’re also a great incentive for babies to develop their fine motor skills. Blueberries are best served raw when your baby is ready for finger food. Frozen blueberries are easy to store year round, and can be added to yoghurt or porridge.
- Avocado
Jam-packed with healthy fats, avocados are a great first food for babies. They are a rich source of vitamins A, C and E, as well as healthy fats, potassium, and folate,
Mash a fresh avocado with apple juice and freeze the leftovers for another meal.
- Meat and poultry
It is recommended that you introduce red meat, chicken, and turkey from the age of 6 months for zinc and iron. Zinc is especially important to low birthweight babies, promoting healthy cell growth, immune system strengthening, and helping to prevent diarrhoea. Growing babies need iron to help deliver oxygen-carrying iron around the body. Darker meats contain more iron and zinc than lighter meats, though chicken is a rich source of protein and B6, and can be mixed with favourite fruits or vegetables. Try meatballs cooked in a low-salt broth, mashed for younger babies and cut up for older ones.
- Seafood
Drain canned salmon and add to pasta or mashed potato for health omega-3 oils. These oils help babies develop healthy brains and eyes, and help reduce the risk of heart disease later in life.
- Eggs
While doctors have been wary about recommending egg whites for babies in the past, now experts are saying that babies should be fed the whole eggs from the start. One egg per day fulfils the entire requirement of the B vitamin choline, which is important for cell, brain, and memory growth. Choline is also important for sending nerves to the brain for gross and fine motor skill development. Well cooked scrambled or hard-boiled eggs are a great way to introduce this superfood.
- Legumes
Legumes are a cheap source of protein and are rich in B vitamins. These vitamins are important for cell development, and for regulating digestion and metabolism. Mashed, pureed, or served whole as a finger food for older babies, beans are a good alternative to meat. If using canned beans, use low-sodium preparations and rinse before serving.
- Dairy
The calcium, protein and phosphorus in dairy products is good for strong healthy bones and teeth. Babies need fats, so only serve whole fat products. The probiotics in yoghurt can also help digestion, and support the immune system. Cheese is an ideal finger food when cut into small pieces.
Looking for a superfood on the run? Try the new Ready2Go Range from Bellamy’s Organic, an easy and nutritious milk drink your child will love. Always great for after school, on the go or when you need a quick snack.