The time has come! Your baby is ready to taste new foods! Below you will find suggestions on the amount and types of food you can consider to start this new and exciting phase.
Where to start?
There are no strict rules, you can start with beef, porridge, legumes, vegetables, or fruit [1]. The main things to consider are:
- the food you offer your baby is made up of a single component (for example, only broccoli);
- it has no added salt or sugar;
- it has the consistency of a puree.
Another thing to consider is that breastfed babies may face an iron deficiency by six months of age. So if your baby is still nursing, consider starting their complementary diet with iron-rich foods, such as cereals, meat, or legumes [2].
Should I avoid potential allergens?
According to the latest recommendations, fish, eggs, and peanuts can be given by the time babies are six months old if they don’t have eczema [1, 2]. As for cow's milk, there are differing opinions. In the United States, most doctors believe that milk should not be given until after the first year, while in Europe pediatricians are okay with adding it to porridge. Cultured dairy products such as yogurt or kefir are considered good options by most.
How often should I feed my baby?
The phrase "complementary diet" means that the foods you introduce will play a supporting role. Initially, the goal is for your baby to try new flavors and textures. At six months of age, two to three meals are more than enough. By nine months, you can transition to three to four meals and snacks [3].
How do I introduce a new food?
Add one new food every 3-5 days. For example, offer your baby some oatmeal for a few days and watch how they react. If there is no rash, abdominal bloating, or diarrhea, you can introduce another food, and so on. If you find that your baby reacts to a certain food, do not offer it again and move on to other options. Please note that if your baby reacts to eggs or peanuts, you should avoid these foods and consult your doctor [1].
How much food should I give my baby?
Start with one to two teaspoons, slowly increasing the volume over a few days. If your baby spits up the food, don’t force them to eat more, just gently offer the food again the next day. Children can be tough to convince, and it may take a few tries before they accept and appreciate new tastes and textures.
Is baby-led weaning helpful?
Some parents skip the pureed food stage and immediately sit the child at the family table, allowing them to choose the foods they want to try. Many pediatric organizations are against this approach [2, 4], first because of choking hazards and, secondly, because the family table can have its share of salty or spicy foods that are not particularly suitable for a baby. Lastly, when self-feeding, babies may not get enough nutrients and iron.
If you want to give something other than mashed potatoes, offer your baby some mashed vegetables or a scraped banana. You can then gradually introduce other options, such as pieces of boiled potatoes, finely chopped chicken, and cooked pasta [4]. Never leave a child unattended while eating to prevent choking.
