6 Things to Know Before Starting Baby on Solid Foods
Starting baby on solid foods is a milestone that quickly creeps up on you as a parent and while introducing purees and finger foods is no new concept, it is a topic that still comes with a great deal of uncertainty and a mountain of questions.
So if you’re on the fence about giving solids a go or don’t even know where to begin, you’ve come to the right place! We tapped Angela Sutherland and Evelyn Rusli, co-founders of fresh, organic Mini meal delivery service Yumi, for their advice on mastering your new way of meal times.
Start When They’re Ready
Start your baby on solids when you think they are ready. For some babes, that means starting a little before 6 months old. You know your babe better than anyone, so if you think they’re ready, don’t be afraid to try it out. Look out for signs of readiness, such as losing that tongue-thrust reflex when your little automatically pushes solids out of his mouth with his tongue.
Try, Try Again
Remember that funny faces are normal! It can take a baby anywhere from 3 to 15 times of trying a food before they really grow accustomed to the flavor. In the meantime, prepare for some adorably confused faces, especially when introducing new foods.
Keep It Clean
When starting solid foods, keep it fresh, organic, and clean. We have high nutritional standards for ourselves, so why wouldn’t we uphold the same for our babes, particularly since nutrition is even more important for them. It’s our duty as parents to offer the healthiest and most nutritious options, which means no preservatives or synthetic chemicals.
Give Them Options
Incorporate a variety of flavors into your baby’s diet. The more flavors you introduce to your babe during the first 1,000 days, the more likely they will grow to appreciate a wide variety of flavors and be less picky eaters.
Eat with Them
Eat with your babe. They are a lot more likely to chow down if they see you doing the same thing. It’s also a great bonding experience, and a great way to encourage many years of eating at the same table. Trust us, time will fly and there will come a time when they’re grown up and you wish you could be sitting at the table and eating with them again.
Watch Salt and Sugar
Be mindful of salt and sugar content. Babies are not supposed to consume salt or juice before age 1. Read the back of labels and make sure you are providing a variety of ingredients, so that their calories are not just coming from fruit.
You will also want to read How to Maintain Baby’s Routine While Traveling or this list of the Most Popular Baby Names of 2018.
Opening Image: Courtesy of Yumi