Introducing Solid Foods to Babies

If your baby is ready for solid food, you may be thinking what are good first foods to introduce to my baby? Besides rice cereal or oatmeal, here are some favorite first fruits and vegetables that moms and babies like. There’s no advantage in introducing foods in a particular order, but it is best to introduce one food at a time and to wait 3 days before trying another to check for allergic reactions. Below are some popular first foods from experienced moms. You can use your blender or food processor with some breastmilk or water to make a smooth puree. If the food is soft enough, you can mashed it with a fork, and let baby pick up the pieces and feed herself!

Avocados are becoming very popular as a first food for babies. They are full of healthy fats, vitamins, and fiber. Select a ripe one that is firm, but yields when you press it gently. Cut it in half and remove the pit. You can scoop out the soft inside and process it with breastmilk or water until it’s smooth. If your baby can handle thicker textures, you can mash the soft avocado with a fork. When your baby is older, you can cut it into small chunks and let them pick up the pieces with their hands.

Bananas are popular as a first food because they are mild, sweet, and easy to mash. Take a firm ripe banana and process it until it is smooth and thin the puree with breastmilk. Bananas may cause constipation for some babies so see how your baby does with a small amount.

Ripe pears are sweet and soft. When offering them as a first food, remove the peels and steam them until they are completely tender. You can also puree them smooth and thin with breastmilk or water. You don’t need to cook them if the pears are very soft and ripe Pears can have pesticides so it is a good idea to buy them organic.

Fresh or frozen peas are a great first food for babies. They are a sweet vegetables with a mild flavor. They need to be steamed so cook them for a minute or two. Process well for a smooth texture as pea puree can be grainy. Add breastmilk or water to make them smoother. Peas also make a great finger food once your baby is older.

Sweet potatoes are popular as a first food for babies. They are super sweet and loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. They are a great choice if you want to start with a vegetable. You can blend sweet potatoes super smooth with breastmilk. To prepare sweet potatoes peel them before cooking and cut them up to steam or roast. Or you can roast them whole and then peel the skin after it cools for puree. To check if it is completely cooked, you should be able to pierce it easily with a fork. When your baby can handle thicker textures, you can just mash it with a fork.

Babies may not eat much during the first feeding, maybe a teaspoon. So after you have pureed your fruit or vegetable, you’ll want to store it so it’s ready for the next feeding. A good way to do this is to put it in ice cube trays. Haakaa Silicon Baby Food Trays are perfect for storing baby food as well as breastmilk. The one ounce cubes make perfect portion sizes for first feedings. They also have covers to protect and store your food in the freezer. Visit our Healthy Horizons Breastfeeding Centers to find Haakaa Silicon Baby Food Trays and other first feeding accessories!