Baby first food fruit or vegetable

How to Start Introducing Solid Foods to Babies

Introducing solids to your baby can be intimidating. With safety and nutrition top of mind, we’d like to help simplify the introduction process. Starting on solid foods allows babies to get accustomed to eating, establish a feeding routine, learn about textures and experience using utensils. Our guide will help you transition your baby during their first year of life as they explore the diversity of solid foods.

Ready to start solids?

Prior to introducing solids, make sure your baby is developmentally ready. Consider the following readiness cues and benchmarks. Is your baby:

Holding their head up without assistance?
Sitting up without assistance?
Propping up on their elbows while lying on their tummy?
No longer sticking out their tongue automatically when something is put in their mouth (also called the “extrusion reflex”)?
At least 4 months old?

When you’ve answered yes to these questions, and you’ve discussed starting solids with your pediatrician, we recommend introducing single ingredient purees. Don’t be surprised if your little one only eats a spoonful or two, as it can take a few days or even weeks before they learn to eat off a spoon. As you introduce solids, it is also important to remember that up until 12 months, babies should receive most of their nutritional needs from breast milk, formula or a combination of both.

What foods should I start with my baby?

Since babies are naturally inclined to prefer sweeter foods, it’s important to introduce vegetables prior to fruit in order to increase acceptance of more savory flavors. Additionally, when your baby starts eating, try one new puree every 2–3 days so your baby can get used to the new tastes and you can monitor for any allergic reactions.

Help your little one embark on their food journey by following these guidelines for choosing which purees to introduce.

Orange vegetables first

When first introducing solids, start with orange vegetable purees, like butternut squash, yam, sweet potato or pumpkin. These offer a natural sweetness that tends to be easily accepted by babies. Increased acceptance can lead to an eager eater, so if your baby has a good first experience with foods, they’ll be more likely to try other purees later on.

Green veggies next

Once your baby accepts orange veggies, begin incorporating green veggie purees to their eating schedule while continuing to offer orange veggies. Green bean, pea and zucchini purees are a great place to start. These are slightly bitter in taste, which means your baby might need some help adjusting to these new flavors. If your baby is having difficulty accepting green veggies alone, try mixing in some of an orange veggie puree to add a little sweetness.

Finally…fruit!

While your baby continues to enjoy orange and green veggies, slowly start introducing naturally sweet fruit. Fruit purees such as mango, apple, strawberry and pear are great single ingredient purees to start. Once your baby enjoys the sweetness of fruit, they may be less eager to enjoy veggies. Consider offering these less frequently or towards the end of the meal.

Frequently asked questions about starting solids

1. Should I feed my baby rice cereal?

In addition to fruits and vegetables, single iron-fortified grains like rice are a popular choice for first foods due to their bland taste, smooth texture and low allergen risk. Until they are about five to six months old, most babies have adequate iron stores acquired in-utero, so at six months, we recommend introducing foods that naturally contain dietary iron and pose a low allergy risk. Rather than traditional rice cereal, consider trying more fiber-filled, nutrient-dense grains or legumes such as buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, quinoa, beans or lentils.

2. What is the best way to introduce solids for the first time?

When your baby is first starting solid food, it’s important to start mealtime when your baby is hungry and eager to eat. We recommend offering food before breast milk or formula is offered. Learn how to encourage interest in mealtime and exploration of new tastes in our full post on tips for introducing solids to your baby

3. How much food should I offer per feeding? How many times should I offer purees to my baby throughout the day?

We recommend starting with three meals per day, offering a few spoonfuls at each “meal” and progressing as your baby shows interest.

4. How can I prevent food allergies for my kid?

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, allergists now recommend introducing certain foods as early as 4–6 months, which may reduce the potential of an allergen risk. Be sure to discuss introducing allergens with your pediatrician before starting solids. For more information on food allergies in children, check out our two part blog series with Dr. Steve Handoyo of the University of Chicago: Part 1, Part 2.

Starting solids with your baby is meant to be a time for food exploration and motor skill development. Remember that each baby is different and their starting solids experience will likely deviate from fellow babies’ experiences.

If you have questions or would like further guidance in designing the meal plan that is best for your child, feel free to contact our team at [email protected].

First foods for babies - Fruits vs. Vegetables

There's no shortage of recommendations on the best first foods to introduce to baby, in what order, how often, etc. And it can leave you feeling so overwhelmed! In this post, you'll learn what foods to introduce baby to first and whether you should introduce vegetables before fruits.

Best first foods for babies

There are certainly essential nutrients that you want to focus on - like iron, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids.

Eggs, beef, beans and lentils, fruits and vegetables are all really great!

However, allow me to simplify this whole feeding your baby task. The best first foods are whatever you and your family enjoy eating!

When I started solids with my firstborn, all I could think was “what should I feed my baby?” There’s nothing wrong with this. Of course, as a parent/caregiver who cares deeply for the well being of our growing child, we prioritize their needs.

I’m not sure if you can relate, but where that led me was to a land of all kinds of finger-shaped, baked concoctions. Sure, they were loaded with wholesome ingredients, flavorful, easy for my baby to grab and eat, and less messy.

However, these weren’t what my husband and I would normally eat for a meal (as a snack yes!). So I found myself cooking separate meals even though one of the main reasons we decided to do baby led weaning was so that the baby would eat what we ate.

Instead, the first question I want to encourage you to ask is,

pictured: one pot cabbage lasagna

"what do I want to eat today?" or "what do I feed my family?"

I know it may sound a bit selfish but when you think about it, the goal is for your baby to explore and learn to appreciate what you and the rest of the family enjoys eating, isn't it?

So instead of following all these "rules" that are out there and making separate meals for your baby, let's introduce them to family meals from the start!

By reframing the question from "what do I feed my baby?" to "what do I feed the family?" you'll naturally be able to introduce your baby to a wide variety of flavors and textures while ensuring that they're getting the essential nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Less stress. Much more enjoyable mealtimes!

So What does this look like in practice?

Perhaps chili is on the menu. Season the dish with whatever herbs and spices you'd normally use (just hold off on the salt). You can serve a small amount in a bowl with a spoon that you can preload and hand to your baby. We absolutely LOVE this one (aff link).

Of course, hands are their best tools so you can let them dive right in, too. To make it easier to eat, you can mash and spread on top of toast or combine with mashed avocado, oatmeal, rice, etc. and shape into balls.

Having said this, I do still bake on the weekends for the baby as muffins, pancakes, cookies, etc. are so great to have in the freezer for a quick meal when I need a break from cooking or if we're dining out/getting take out.

If you're wondering how to adapt family meals so they're the right size and texture for your baby, I've got a 3 month meal plan program that includes weekly grocery lists, a daily game plan, daily cooking demos, videos of my baby eating (to give you peace of mind that everything you're about to serve is safe), and SO much more!

You'll also find plenty of low-sodium, nutritious family meals here as well as in my ecookbooks.

First foods for babies - Fruits or vegetables?

There’s so much confusion and debate over this topic so I thought I’d address it here. Some recommend introducing babies to vegetables first since babies are innately drawn to sweet flavors. Otherwise, they will reject vegetables. Others say that offering well accepted foods, like fruits, first will help in the adjustment to solids better.

There isn’t evidence to show that your baby will not like vegetables if you start with fruits. Both are nutritious and provide nutrients that our babies need to grow.

So to answer that question, you don’t have to introduce foods in any particular order. What you DO want to focus on is introducing your baby to as many flavors and textures as possible. That’s the main goal!

Why? Food preferences are acquired through experience, and research suggests that eating habits established in early childhood are likely to track into adulthood. So let’s provide our babies with food experiences that can help them to accept and enjoy a diverse array of foods!

What we also know is humans from birth tend to prefer sweet, salty, and umami tastes over those that are bitter or sour. However, preferences are “ plastic” at an early age and babies are willing to eat most new foods during what’s referred to as the “window of opportunity” And they will learn to like stronger flavors if they try them early and often.

Let’s take FULL advantage of this period because it won’t stay this way forever.

After the first year, they become more neophobic (afraid to try new foods) or fussy and tend to be more selective about what they will eat.

So what does this look like in practice?

Offer both fruits and vegetables. But do focus on offering bitter and sour tasting foods early and often.

Need step-by-step guidance? By following my meal plan program, you will be able to accomplish just that! One of my top priorities was to ensure that our babies would get to explore a wide variety of vegetables. For instance, green leafy vegetables can be tricky to serve to babies. But have no fear! You’re going to be that rockstar parent/caregiver that incorporates spinach, kale, swiss chard, and collard greens into your baby’s meals in so many fun and delicious ways.

Do you want to minimize picky eating and set a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits?

Check out this 3 month mastering self-feeding program! It’s the closest thing to me being in your kitchen

But what if your baby will ONLY eat the fruit?

I wanted to address this because this was my son. If there was fruit on his plate, that’s all he wanted, and he absolutely refused to eat anything else (I’m talking complete meltdown). I couldn’t expose him to a wide variety of foods as a result.

So I decided that since I'm in charge of WHAT to serve, I’d stop offering fruits temporarily and focus on vegetables, particularly the bitter ones. Around 10 months is when I reintroduced fruits, and I was glad to see that he wasn’t so obsessed with them.

My daughter, on the other hand, is happily exploring all foods regardless of whether or not fruit is present so I’ve been regularly incorporating them into her meals.

Hope this clarifies any confusion or questions you may have had! I share this to empower you to always do what feels best and right for you and your family. Every child is different and you are the best advocate for yours.

Oh, and also note that if your baby makes a funny face, shudders, spits out, etc., it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t like it. It’s surprising to experience new tastes and textures ;). Let’s keep offering and enjoying a wide variety of foods together with our babies!

Complementary feeding scheme for children under one year old

Article author: Ovchinnikova Evgeniya Vadimovna , pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatrician

The introduction of complementary foods to a baby is quite an important event. Finally, a child who has previously only tried mother's milk or formula will get acquainted with new tastes, the list of which will constantly expand.

Complementary foods are not only food, they are also new experiences. According to what scheme to introduce complementary foods to a child under one year old? Says pediatrician Evgenia Vadimovna Ovchinnikova.

In a newborn baby, the intestines are practically sterile, and the digestive system is in an immature state, so it can only absorb breast milk or adapted formulas. But gradually the gastrointestinal tract matures, and by 4-6 months, enzymes are already being produced that contribute to the absorption of other types of food. The optimal time for the introduction of complementary foods (in terms of both the maturity of the gastrointestinal tract and the formation of food tolerance) is the age from 4 to 6 months. Early introduction of complementary foods, as well as the introduction after 6 months, increases the risk of developing allergic diseases.

In addition to reaching a certain age and developing tolerance to the adoption of new food components, you need to pay attention to such indicators as weight (it should more than double from the moment of birth), the absence of tongue movements and the presence of food interest (the baby should become interested in other foods besides milk). Before starting to introduce new foods, you should consult with your pediatrician.

At 5 months - vegetables

You need to start introducing complementary foods gradually and carefully, the amount of the first sample is at the tip of a teaspoon. When introducing a product, carefully monitor the reaction of the child's body: are there any allergies, are there any problems with the stomach, stool, etc. The first complementary food, as a rule, is vegetable and monocomponent. It is administered during lunch, after which the baby needs to be supplemented with milk. You can start with squash or zucchini, then add cauliflower, broccoli, and lastly pumpkin and carrots.

The very first additions should be fairly thin, but the consistency should be gradually increased until the consistency of puree is obtained. For a week, if everything is fine, you can bring the amount of one product from a teaspoon on the first day to 150 grams on the seventh. Having introduced one type of vegetable in this way (for example, zucchini), next week you can introduce cauliflower in a similar way. It is advisable to take a month to get acquainted with vegetables. Bringing each product to the age norm, different types of vegetables can be mixed.

At 6 months - porridge

At 6 months, when several types of vegetables have already been introduced, you can try porridge. The first cereals of the baby should not contain milk and gluten. These products are practically not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and have a bad effect on its mucosa. Alternatively, you can add a little breast milk or formula to the porridge if the child is reluctant to eat porridge on the water. Recommended rice, corn and buckwheat porridge. The scheme for introducing cereals is exactly the same as in the case of vegetables. It is important to gradually increase the amount, and in one week to introduce only one type of cereal. It makes sense to give porridge in the second morning feeding. Closer to 8 months, in addition to cereals, you can give your child a taste of applesauce.

After 8 months

After 8 months you can start introducing meat puree, yolk and potatoes. It is preferable to give quail yolk, but chicken yolk is also possible if the child does not have a negative reaction. As for meat, the first product of the baby can be rabbit fillet, as the most low-fat and hypoallergenic product. After it, you can give a turkey. You need to start with 3 grams, gradually bringing up to 50 grams per day. So the child will have a breakfast consisting of porridge and fruit, and a lunch of vegetables and meat. The further diet will gradually increase: after an apple, you can introduce mashed prunes, then pear, etc. As for potatoes, its maximum amount should not exceed 50 grams per day.

After 9 months

It's time to get acquainted with fermented milk products, the introduction of which has its own peculiarity: they should enter the diet especially smoothly and slowly. The first is children's cottage cheese, starting with one teaspoon, then kefir, only 5-10 ml. From these products you can eventually make an afternoon snack. Dairy products for children should not contain sugar or other additives.

After 10 months, if the child already has teeth, you can give him pieces of familiar fruit to chew on. If there are no teeth or very few, then before they appear, the food should be puree.

Important to know:

Complementary foods for up to a year are not yet full-fledged feeding, this is only an acquaintance of the baby with different products;
If the child does not want to eat complementary foods, do not force him, and do not add sugar or salt to the proposed product. You just need to postpone the introduction of this food for a week or two;
In some cases, for example, with a small weight gain, you can start complementary foods not with vegetables, but with porridge;
If the child has allergies, indigestion, other health problems, the product that caused the negative reaction should be discontinued;
Complementary foods should not be introduced if the child is sick;
For allergy sufferers, children with any diseases, the complementary feeding scheme may differ from the generally accepted one, a pediatrician's consultation is necessary;
Do not give juices, fresh vegetables, cereals with gluten, sweet foods, cow's and goat's milk until the age of one.

Make an appointment with a pediatrician

Be sure to consult a qualified specialist in the field of childhood diseases at the Semeynaya clinic.

To find out prices for a pediatrician's appointment or other questions, follow the link below

Vegetables and fruits for the first feeding of a child

Vegetables and fruits for baby's first food

What vegetables should I start complementary foods with?

Vegetables are a source of organic acids, potassium, iron, fiber. It is recommended to start vegetable complementary foods with zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower. Initially, vegetable puree should consist of one type of vegetable. Then you can make a combination of different vegetables. Start with 1 spoon, then bring the volume to 180 grams. By the year, the amount of vegetable purees consumed per day is 200 grams.

Once your child is used to their first meal, continue to introduce new foods such as fruit purees, cottage cheese, eggs, dairy products, and meat and fish purees. Before introducing each next product, you must wait three to five days to find out if the child is allergic to the previous one.

How to introduce vegetable puree into complementary foods:

From 6 months - zucchini, cauliflower.

From 7 months - pumpkin, broccoli, potatoes, carrots.

From 8 months - green peas.

From 9 months - beets.

From 1 year old - eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers.

The process should proceed gradually: we start with half a teaspoon, the portion increases every day. If your baby refuses complementary foods for some reason, it may not be time yet. You should wait a week and try again.

Carefully choose the products for preparing vegetable puree for the first feeding. They must be well washed, boiled and crushed.

When choosing jars of complementary foods in stores, carefully read the composition. It should not contain substances harmful to the baby.

What fruit should I start complementary foods with?

The first meal of puree and juice should be light-colored fruits such as apples and pears. They are less likely to cause intolerance reactions and are easily digested. Many fruits - peach, apricot, banana, cherry, sweet cherry, plum and berries - currants, blueberries are medium allergenic products, and they need to be introduced later. Citrus fruits and strawberries can be introduced at about one year of age.

The first fruit puree should be monocomponent, and should not contain sugar, starch or other fillers. Fruit or berry puree in combination with cottage cheese can be introduced no earlier than 6 months, and in combination with cream - no earlier than 8 months.

How much fruit does a baby need?

The maximum amount of fruit or berry puree that a child is allowed to eat during the day is calculated similarly to the volume of juice and is equal to n × 10, where n is the number of months the child lives. That is, if your baby is 8 months old, then you can give him 80 g of fruit puree. However, at 12 months, the volume of puree should not exceed 100 g.