Weaning

First foods for babies

Posted on by Alexandra Bamford

Divya Sharma, a post-graduate nurse and momblogger @BumpBubNBeyond, shares with us some useful ideas for first foods to get you started. Visit Bump Bub N Beyond if you’re an existing, expecting or new parents to get more information and support related to pregnancy, newborn care, postpartum and raising children.

First foods for babies

Whether you decide to feed your baby or opt for baby-led weaning here some good options for baby’s first foods:

Fruits: Most babies love fruits. Make sure they are ripe, and wash well before peeling. Here are some favorites:

  • Bananas cut into slices which have then been halved or quartered
  • Unsweetened applesauce, or tiny apple chunks that have been softened by cooking
  • Plums, peaches, pears, and apricots, gently cooked if necessary
  • Avocado diced into small, bite size pieces

Vegetables: Fresh vegetables should be washed, peeled and cooked until tender. Frozen veggies are convenient to have on hand. Avoid the canned varieties to which salt has been added. Your baby may enjoy:

  • Baked or boiled sweet potatoes, in tiny chunks
  • Mashed white potatoes
  • Baby carrots, green beans, peas and squash

Grains and Cereals: Commercial, iron-fortified cereals are often the first foods served to babies who are not breastfeeding because they need the extra iron, but breastfed babies are rarely anemic as the iron in human milk is well-utilized. If there is concern about the baby’s iron levels, a simple test can be done in the doctor’s office.

Beans and Legumes: Remove the skins from cooked beans as they tend to be harder to digest. If you use canned beans for convenience, make sure they are unseasoned.

Babies under a year should not be given honey as it carries the risk of botulism (food poisoning).

Baby’s first solid foods can be served cold, slightly warmed or at room temperature.

Starting solids is an exciting phase of motherhood/ parenthood. Hope you enjoy that well and don’t forget to take lots of pictures or make cute funny videos. They serve as best memories of your baby’s babyhood.

Shop our bib range here

REFERENCES