Since the moment I noticed my baby started smacking her lips and reaching out to take my food when she saw us eating, I truly could not wait to start introducing solid food to her.
By the way, if you’re not sure when your baby can begin to eat, because some can start as early as 4 months old, like my niece, or even later than 6 months old, there are signs to look for to see whether your baby is ready for solid food.
For instance, I know my baby is ready because she can sit up and raise her head without assistance. So, as she approaches 6 months old, I have done a tonne of reading on baby food.
I have also figured out the several foods I would like to feed her first. I even compiled a list of my own baby’s first foods, as shown below. This list also serves as a food tracker for what I will and must introduce to my child.
Why I Start with Veggies Instead of Fruits
Many experts believe that the first two years are critical for exposing the little one to a wide range of flavours.
Babies are born with a penchant for sweet flavours due to their feeding on breast milk or formula milk. Thus, introducing veggies first will teach the baby to appreciate and be familiar with the veggie taste.
Furthermore, I learned that starting vegetables as one of my baby’s first solid foods is a wise choice because there’s a good chance, she’ll enjoy them as she grows.
This is supported by new research by a Massey University Human Nutrition Ph.D. graduate, who found that giving vegetables to babies their first food is an excellent method for improving intake and may help children acquire a preference for veggies.
The aforementioned research involved two groups of babies. One group received a combination of fruit and vegetables in the first four weeks of starting solids. And the other group received solely vegetables.
The findings revealed that at nine months of age, babies who had only been exposed to vegetables consumed twice more broccoli and spinach compared to those who had been exposed to both vegetables and fruits. The daily vegetable intake at home was also 28% greater in the vegetable-only group.
That is why, when transitioning to solids, I choose to begin with veggies rather than fruits. It is also because most fruits taste sweet and the baby is already accustomed to this flavour.
Some people recommend starting with orange vegetable purees, such as carrot or sweet potato puree, because they are naturally sweeter. Then on to green vegetables and, ultimately, fruit. This way of introducing baby foods can help the baby develop a more diversified palette from the start.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Baby Food Feeding
Aside from the sorts, another key consideration when introducing food to a baby is how to feed the little one. It is extremely important to pay close attention to issues with food safety. This includes choking hazards, food allergies, and the danger of foodborne illness.
The following safety tips from The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics should be kept in mind while you are feeding your baby.
- Do bring up the possibility of food allergies with your paediatrician. One new food should be introduced at a time, every few days, to give time to watch for allergic reactions. Parents who are worried about their children having food allergies should talk to their paediatrician about how to introduce certain foods.
- Do keep an eye on your baby when they are eating. When you first introduce solid foods to babies, they should be able to sit straight and face front. By doing this, there is less chance of choking, and swallowing becomes simpler.
- Instead of feeding directly from the food jar, transfer some food to a different plate first. A food safety hazard could arise if your baby is fed straight from the jar since the spoon could become contaminated with bacteria from your baby’s mouth and then spread back into the food.
- Honey should not be given to children less than 12 months due to the possibility of foodborne illness.
- Don’t use a bottle to give solid foods to your baby. Contrary to common belief, adding cereal to a baby’s bottle won’t make them sleep through the night because it poses a choking threat.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics also provides the following list of additional foods that are not advised for children under the age of four because they may pose a choking hazard.
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole-kernel corn and popcorn
- Large cuts of meat, chicken, and cheese
- Hard, raw fruits or vegetables such as apples, celery, and baby carrots
- Whole cherry tomatoes and grapes, unless they are cut in quarters
- Candies, gum drops, and jelly beans
- Sticky foods like peanut butter can become stuck in the back of the mouth; however, it is fine when spread thinly on bread.
As for the first few vegetables I selected to feed my baby, I followed a list on HealthLine that advised six softer, blendable veggies: carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and peas.
Aside from that, there are some unexpected items that are fantastic to add to your baby’s diet, such as herbs and spices, yoghurt, nut kinds of butter, and meat.
Always Keep an Eye Out for Food Allergens
Even though giving your baby vegetables is nutritious and beneficial for them, you probably want to get them used to other types of foods as well.
As you may have noticed, I have listed a number of possible common food allergies in Malaysia for kids under the age of two in the ‘Baby’s First Foods Tracker’ I shared above. So, always be cautious when introducing new foods to your little one.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it’s a good idea to introduce potentially allergenic foods while adding new supplemental meals to a baby’s diet. Therefore, before introducing solid foods, make sure to talk to your child’s paediatrician about introducing allergens.
On the same note, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology reports that allergists now advocate introducing specific foods as early as 4-6 months, which may lessen the likelihood of an allergy exposure.
Before introducing another meal, it is advised to introduce one type at a time for a period of time. Perhaps 1-2 weeks, to check for any evidence of allergens.
Here are some signs of baby food allergies you should be aware of:
- Swollen lips, face, or tongue
- Raised skin tone or rash
- Hives or welts
- Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
- Wheezing or coughing
- Breathing issues
Nonetheless, although the process of introducing and exposing your baby to solid foods for the first time can be overwhelming, don’t worry too much about it. Just make sure you do your research and are aware of what is best for your child, mummies.
What matters is that you enjoy the journey and don’t be too hard on yourself or your kid. Have fun feeding your cutie pie, mums!
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