Best solid food for 6 months old baby

The Best First Foods for Babies 6 to 9 Months – Happiest Baby

By Happiest Baby Staff

You've spent the first six months of your baby's life making sure that they are nourished with breastmilk or formula. As they grow and thrive, you might notice that your little sprout shows you some signs that they are ready to graduate from the bottle or breast to solid foods. If your baby can sit up and hold their head up, that's a great first sign! What's more, if they bring objects to their mouth and show an interest in what you are eating, your curious kiddo might be ready to start eating solid foods.

But what should you feed your baby? Here’s a list of perfect starter foods for your baby from ages 6 to 9 months.

Best Baby Foods at 6 Months

At 6 months, babies may be starting to chew. Though this skill won’t be mastered just yet, they are typically ready to get messy with some mushy, pureed eats—helping them learn about flavor and texture. At this age, the goal is not to satiate your baby with full meals of solid foods but rather to get your child curious and excited about their culinary options.

Because babies are growing so fast, their needs for iron are high to prevent iron-deficiency and support their overall health. Offer your little one iron rich foods like—infant cereal (read up on why you may want to skip rice cereal), well-cooked meat, poultry, mashed beans, and lentils. To keep your baby safe from choking, avoid adding solids like cereal to baby bottles.

Here are some great first foods for Baby to try:

Infant oat, grain, or barley cereals mixed with breastmilk or formula and spoon-fed to your baby
Sweet potato puree
Squash puree
Pea puree
Carrot puree
Mashed banana
Mashed avocado
Mashed or pureed beans
Mashed or pureed lentils
Pureed meats (beef, chicken, or turkey)
Soft, falling apart meats (salmon, beef, chicken, turkey)

Check out more of our favorite first food purees. Or, if purees aren’t your thing, read up on how to start baby-led weaning.

Best Baby Foods at 7 Months

By 7 months old, your baby will probably be eating more solids but not enough to replace breastmilk or formula as their primary source of food. The goal for this month is to keep introducing solid foods to your baby. What's fun is by 7 months, you can get more creative with mixing flavors and adding textures.

Here are a few nutritious and delicious food combos to try with your baby:

Peas pureed with breastmilk (or formula), sweet potatoes, or squash
Kale pureed with blueberry, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, pears, or bananas
Apples pureed with cauliflower, carrots, pears, prunes, or beets
Beef pureed with broccoli
Chicken pureed with carrots and potatoes
Chickpeas pureed with bananas, apples, or sweet potato
Sweet potatoes pureed with red bell pepper

Seven months is also the perfect age to start giving your baby a plate, bowl, and plastic utensils so they can begin to practice feeding themselves. If your baby is teething, you can place frozen chunks of fruit in a sieve feeder/mesh bag that allows them to gnaw on the fruit without choking. Learn more about helping your baby use a fork and spoon!

Best Baby Foods at 8 Months

By 8 months, your baby is likely eating more solids and relying a little less on milk as a primary meal (though it’s still where they get the bulk of their nutrition!). And they’re probably having lots of fun learning how to use their hands to feed themselves. Something else to consider: Babies should be exposed to potential allergen foods (like peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and fish) before their first birthdays to help prevent future food allergies. Starting at 6 months of age, peanut butter is safe to introduce as long as you are comfortable giving it to your baby.

In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans says that babies can begin having these foods when they start eating solids. But many families often feel more comfortable waiting to introduce these foods until around this age. Of course, consult with your little one’s pediatrician if you have concerns about potential allergen foods.

Here are some foods to add to your repertoire:

Whole eggs, scrambled
Nut butter thinned out with water and mixed with cereal (nut butters are sticky and can cause choking)
Fully cooked fish, like salmon or tuna
Full-fat yogurt

Here are some preparation ideas:

Well-cooked (think over-cooked until falling apart) pasta such as elbows or alphabet shapes
Mashed meat with mashed or ground vegetables such as peas and potatoes or kale and squash
Rainbow on a plate: Using tiny pieces of soft, strained, pureed, and mashed food options, look for a variety of colors to offer. Some fun options could include banana, avocado, sweet potato, peas, blueberry, raspberry, cheese, and chicken.

Best Baby Foods at 9 Months

Though there’s a greater variety of foods babies eat now, formula or breastmilk continues to be their primary source of nutrition until age 1. At 9 months old, babies get more comfortable with self-feeding and eating the foods their families enjoy. After all, eating solid foods is a sensory wonderland of texture, smells, and tastes. Not to mention all that fun making messes with those adorably curious fingers.

As you begin to focus on meal planning for your baby, there are few things to keep in mind:

Babies need four to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. A serving size for a 9-month-old is less than a quarter cup.
"Eat the rainbow" is excellent advice because it gives your baby exposure to lots of different fruits, vegetables, grains, and starches.

Here are a few menu ideas to help meal plan for your baby…

Breakfast Ideas for Babies

These morning meals pack a nutritional punch—and don’t forget to check out all of our favorite breakfast ideas for babies:

Soft fresh fruit cut up in small pieces (think: banana, raspberries, or blueberries)
Whole-grain waffles or pancakes
Unsweetened oatmeal made with breastmilk or formula combined with cut-up and cooked apples and pears or banana slices. (It is essential to steam the apples or pears to make them soft enough for your baby to mash with their gums.)
Full-fat yogurt mixed with mashed or pureed berries such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries
Soft scrambled eggs
Veggie frittata

Lunch Ideas for Babies

Spread hummus on soft crackers or bread
Grilled cheese sandwich with cooled tomato soup
Macaroni and cheese with cooked veggies like peas and carrots mixed in
Pizza bites with chopped bits of spinach in the sauce and melted shredded cheese
Quesadilla made with pureed spinach, squash, or beans

Snack Ideas for Babies

Babies this young won’t likely need to snack too much (remember, breastmilk or formula will provide the majority of your little one’s nutrition). Still, it’s not a bad idea to have snacks on hand for when your mini muncher needs something to eat that’s not quite a meal. A few baby snack ideas:

Apple and carrot slaw
Cheese slices
Full-fat plain yogurt
Hard-boiled egg
Avocado slices
Muffins made with fruits, veggies, and/or whole grains
Fruit and veggie pouches
Sugar-free, whole-grain cereal, like plain Cheerios

Dinner Ideas for Babies

To help your baby get and stay excited about eating solid foods, serve a version of whatever the family is having for dinner. Remember to steam or mash, grind or chop foods into appropriate softness and sizes to prevent choking. Some baby dinner ideas:

Pasta with softened vegetables
Well-cooked rice, soft veggies, and chicken
Baked sweet potato with butter or cheese
Beans or lentils served with rice and veggies
Flaky fish served with steamed zucchini

There are endless variations on what you can serve your baby for dinner. As long as your baby is safe and happy, try to encourage lots of food exploration!

You must not feed any child under the age of 1 year honey, cow’s milk, juice, hard foods like candy, raw vegetables, popcorn, or sticky foods like peanut butter, as these each present choking hazards.

Learn more about feeding your baby:

The Happiest Baby Feeding Guide
The Benefits of Homemade Baby Food
The Best Store-Bought Baby Food

***

REFERENCES

Unlocking Opportunities in Food Design for Infants, Children, and the Elderly: Understanding Milestones in Chewing and Swallowing Across the Lifespan for New Innovations. Journal of Texture Studies, August 2017
Complementary Feeding: A Position Paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, January 2017
Infant Formula Feeding Practices Associated With Rapid Weight Gain: A Systematic Review, Maternal & Child Nutrition, July 2018
Solid Food Introduction and the Development of Food Allergies, Nutrients, November 2018
US Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025

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Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with us at [email protected].

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.

What It Is and How to Do It – Happiest Baby

By Happiest Baby Staff

After months of a steady breastmilk and/or formula diet, there will come a time when your little one is ready to graduate to real food (hooray!). But with this big milestone comes the big question: What do you feed your baby now?

Though purees have long been a baby-food staple, since 2008 Baby-Led Weaning (or BLW for short) has exploded in popularity thanks largely to a book called Baby-Led Weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. The BLW approach gives babies a leading role in what they eat. Instead of you spoon-feeding pureed foods to your child, your tot will eat soft, finger-sized pieces of whole food. Basically, you provide the gastronomic opportunities…then stand back while your baby explores what’s on their plate.

When parents introduce babies to solid foods at around age 6 months, they give their kiddos a non-pureed—but baby-friendly—version of whatever the grown-ups are eating. The key is that the food has to be big enough for the baby to grip it—and for it not to be a choking risk—and soft enough for them to bite it. From here, little ones can learn to pick up food with their hands and experience its smells, tastes, and textures.

The idea is that kids who learn to appreciate foods at the very beginning of learning to eat solids will eventually grow up to be good eaters with an appreciation for a wide variety of food types. There is some anecdotal evidence that kids who learn to eat solids through the BLW method will be less likely to become picky later.

What are the benefits of baby-led weaning?

Some possible benefits of baby-led weaning include:

Bonding: Babies who eat at the table with their family will not only learn about foods and eating, but they will also learn table manners and spend quality time with their loved ones over food.
Fine motor skills: In BLW, babies use their hands to eat. This means that they will have to work on hand-to-eye and hand-to-mouth coordination, as well as gripping and picking up with fingertips.
Self-regulation: Babies who eat with their families and who feed themselves get a chance to recognize the feeling of being full. They have more control over how and when to stop eating, which is an important and often overlooked aspect of teaching kids to eat solids.
Positive food habits: Babies who are given whole foods with a variety of colors, flavors, and textures, might have more open palates in the future.

When can you start baby-led weaning?

Babies are usually developmentally ready to start solid foods around 6 months of age. Typically, first foods include pureed veggies and fruits or infant cereals. But with baby-led weaning, babies tend to start eating single-ingredient whole foods (think: melon slices, avocado spears, or roast sweet potato wedges) and then move on to mixed foods (a version of whatever’s on the family’s dinner table).

Signs that your baby is ready to eat solid foods include:

Your baby can sit up unassisted.
Your baby can hold their head up unaided.
Your baby shows interest in eating.
Your baby opens their mouth to eat.

What are the best foods for baby-led weaning?

With minimal preparation, just about any food can be given to a baby who is using the BLW method. That said, there are some safety tips to keep in mind.

Babies have not yet mastered picking up small objects with their fingers. Make sure you cut food up into big enough piece that they can grab it with their whole hand.
Do not offer choking hazards, such as grapes, hot dog pieces, nuts, popcorn, etc.
Make sure that anything you serve your child is soft. Most vegetables can be steamed to soften them.
Meats should be poached or boiled to a safe temperature and then shredded.
Do not add salt, sugars, or artificial sweeteners to your child's food. They need to get to know natural flavors and textures.

Is baby-led weaning risky?

Parents’ biggest hesitation with BLW is that a baby will choke—which is understandable! However, babies come hard-wired to learn how to eat. It is typical and expected that babies may gag, make choking sounds, or cough from time to time when encountering new foods. The important thing is to stay calm and not show fear because your child will learn to become afraid of the natural gagging reflex.

The reality is that while kids will probably gag and spit up, they are not likely to choke. A study in the United Kingdom found that out of 155 babies fed by BLW or by spoon, parents reported that 93.5% never had a choking experience. Research also shows the risk of choking is the same for both babies fed BLW style and by spoon. That said, it's wise for all parents to take a CPR class to learn the signs of choking and the life-saving steps to intervene.

How to start baby led weaning:

Since food plays such a rich part in family culture, introducing your baby to solid foods can feel like a significant and exciting milestone for the whole family. Here are some tips to help your little one succeed:

Patience: It is so important to be patient and understand that your baby won't love every dish you serve. Additionally, it helps to keep your reactions to how they eat as neutral as possible. Don't get upset if they refuse to eat—and equally, don't praise when they eat everything on their plate. Babies need to learn how to sense fullness and hunger as well as listen to their developing tastes.

Variety: It's okay to let your baby play with their food. And they will definitely play! Give them baby spoons and forks, small bowls, and cups, and let them experiment. Give them variety with their food choices as well. Some kids will find softer purees to be a helpful bridge, while others will want smashed beans or veggies. Be patient and experiment.

Make eating a family event: Get the whole family involved and have your baby take a seat at the table. Talk to them, share stories, and give them lots of opportunities to try different flavors and textures.

Fans of baby-led weaning tend to be very enthusiastic, but when it comes to feeding your family, don’t feel like you have to take an all-or-nothing approach. You might find that a mix of purees and baby-led-weaning-style foods is best for your bub. There are plenty of ways to nourish your child and teach healthy eating habits outside of baby-led-weaning, too. The important part is that you’re introducing lots of flavors and textures and nutrient-dense foods.

This article has been reviewed by Gabrielle McPherson, MS, RDN, LDN.

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Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with us at [email protected].

10 Best Purees for First Weaning - Ranking 2022

Introduction of complementary foods is a necessary procedure for many new parents. Puree from vegetables, fruits, fish or meat is introduced into the diet of crumbs at the age of 5-6 months, when the child's digestive system can already absorb the components of the puree. Before using the first complementary foods, it is imperative to consult a pediatrician. A review will also help in choosing, which presents the best purees for the first feeding, according to doctors, users and the experience of manufacturers.

Contents

How to choose puree for the first feeding

The readiness of the baby to introduce complementary foods is signaled by a doubling of body weight from the moment of birth, as well as the ability to eat while in an upright position. Then the question arises of which purees are better to buy for the first complementary foods. Pediatricians recommend starting with vegetable purees, as they lack fructose, which has an undesirable effect on the immature pancreas and kidneys.

Doctors advise choosing products from well-known trusted brands, as they are subject to a quality control procedure. Thus, when compiling a review of puree companies for the first complementary foods, the following factors were considered by specialists:

Cost. The most expensive product does not mean the highest quality. The price is affected by the type of packaging, the cost of shipping raw materials - something that does not affect the content in any way;
Composition. A quality product does not contain dyes, enhancers and preservatives, as well as spices;
Hypoallergenic and product safety;
Degree of fineness of components;
Age category.

Studying the question of what kind of baby food is best for complementary foods, we analyzed the opinions and experiences of parents left on major forums and social networks. This helped determine the most purchased brands, which are most trusted.

When buying baby puree, look at the integrity of the package, the lid should not be damaged, and when opening the package, there should be a popping sound, which confirms the freshness of the product. You should also find out the appropriateness of the selected food for the age of the child. The review presents foreign and domestic companies offering top quality products.

The best domestic purees for the first feeding

You can buy vegetable puree for the first feeding from Russian manufacturers. After analyzing more than a hundred reviews, we were able to select brands that are trusted by customers.

Russian manufacturers produce food for children at the highest level at a pleasant price, due to which the products are in demand among parents. Many companies produce products from natural raw materials of their own production. 5 domestic manufacturers were selected for the rating, which proved to be leaders in the quality of baby food and popularity among mothers and fathers.

Frutonyanya

This brand is one of the most famous, most parents choose the products of the Frutonyan company. All products undergo special testing and are recommended by the Union of Pediatricians. Frutonyanya produces vegetable puree for the first feeding. The tightness of the packaging is ensured by a lid and a dense polyethylene film, which allows you to protect the container from the ingress of dirt and dust.

The company has a continuous production cycle. Fruits and vegetables from our own farms are processed, which is an indicator of the naturalness of the products. The manufacturer has released a line in doypack packaging, now you can take food for a walk.

Advantages

Free from salt and sugar additives;
Quality testing;
Low cost;
Scale with divisions in grams allows you to see the amount of puree eaten by the baby;
Availability of hypoallergenic series.

Drawbacks

Not identified.

Consumer reviews report a low risk of allergic reactions after use, as the product does not contain preservatives. For buyers, an important condition is the experience of the manufacturer. Products are manufactured by factories that have specialized in baby food for decades.

Grandmother's basket

The company's products are not as advertised as Frutonyanya, but still in demand among many buyers. The puree complies with strict preservation purity conditions. In the manufacturing process, technologies are used to preserve the beneficial properties of products. The puree includes only boiled and pasteurized fruits and vegetables. The composition is the main ingredient and pure water.

Choice of mashed potatoes for the first meal of zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower. The company also produces fruit products. For older children, you can buy food from cod, pink salmon and salmon. The puree has the right consistency.

Advantages

Free of food coloring and other additives;
Possibility to buy in soft drinking packaging;
Environmentally friendly components;
Uniform consistency.

Drawbacks

Unusual taste.

One-component purees of this brand are in special demand among buyers. They note a good consistency and the optimal amount of one serving. Not all parents like the smell of the product, but it does not interfere with children, and they eat mashed potatoes with great pleasure.

Diaper

Sady Pridonya recently launched this brand. The manufacturer produces nutritional formulas for children of different ages. The consumer can choose purees from fruits, vegetables or a combination. The product is presented in different containers - glass and cardboard.

The main ingredients are fruits and vegetables, while the crops are grown by the company. For the manufacture of products GMOs, dyes and preservatives are not used. The composition contains only natural products and water. And the quality of the indicators is controlled by the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. The absence of expenses for the transportation of purchased raw materials allows us to reduce the cost, which cannot but attract.

Advantages

Large selection of purees for babies from 4 months old;
Manufacture on high-precision equipment;
Convenient packaging;
Affordable rates.

Drawbacks

Use of sugar for some types of puree.

Users are attracted by a large assortment. In addition to mashed potatoes, you can buy fruit drinks, juices and cereals. High demand for puree from several components. It can be fruits or berries with the addition of dairy products.

Topic

The Concern occupies a leading position among domestic producers of baby food. Products are made using the latest equipment. The Tema brand offers compositions with fruits, vegetables, meat, combined variations. For complementary foods, vegetable compositions of zucchini, carrots and pumpkins are suitable.

In the manufacturing process, only natural and easily digestible vegetables are used, which normalize the functioning of the digestive system. In addition to purees, the company produces juices and fermented milk products.

Advantages

Affordable prices;
High quality products;
Huge assortment;
Variety of packaging.

Drawbacks

Use of a small amount of starch.

Many people like that Tema puree can be bought both in the nearest store and in the pharmacy. Also noted is the ideal consistency, the absence of unnecessary inclusions. Vegetable puree has a pleasant smell and color. Often promotions are provided on Tema puree in supermarkets.

The best foreign purees for the first feeding

A certain range of foreign manufacturers is represented on the market. Some moms and dads tend to choose them, because many companies have an excellent reputation and centuries of history. The best purees for the first feeding from foreign brands in the review are represented by five positions.

The rating of baby puree supplied to the Russian market from abroad was built primarily on the basis of pediatricians' estimates. The quality of raw materials, nutritional properties, relevance of benefits for children living in our country were taken into account.

Gerber

Products from Nestle are known for their high quality and wide range, its laboratory is one of the best in Europe. For feeding babies, mashed potatoes with one component of vegetables are suitable. The product is distinguished by a fine fraction and an environmentally friendly composition. The Gerber brand also produces food for older children. And meat purees will help make complementary foods more varied. The light texture of meat is pleasant to kids.

The manufacturer also sells multi-component products. In one puree, vegetables and milk are combined, berries are also added, enriching the child's body with organic acids, minerals, and vitamins. In addition, Gerber provides desserts made from milk with fruits.

Advantages

4 vegetable purees;
Products pass approximately 250 checks;
Convenient single serving packaging;
Special retractable caps.

Drawbacks

Not identified.

Users love the manufacturer's packaging. Through the glass you can see the consistency and color of the dish. Jars have lids with a special ledge, which was developed by the company's specialists. Convenient flexible packaging pouch.

Semper

The Swedish brand produces baby food for newborns and preschool children. Not only mashed potatoes, but also cereals, juices and milk mixtures are offered to choose from. Semper offers four steps of complementary foods. For children from 4 months - monocomponent formulations. For crumbs from six months - meat mixtures and assorted fruits. Fish dishes - from 7 months. And the combination of meat and vegetables in one product is suitable for children from a year and older.

The composition does not contain thickeners and dyes, but only chopped vegetables and water. From Semper you can buy food for a snack on a walk, the first complementary foods and expanding the baby's menu.

Advantages

The first stage contains homogenized vegetables;
European quality level;
Testing at every stage of production;
Improved composition.

Drawbacks

Small portion package not included.

Consumers believe that the brand does not offer such a high price in terms of volume. Zucchini with potatoes, zucchini with potatoes and broccoli are in special demand. There are no additional components in the vegetable mixture, except for a small amount of rice flour.

HiPP

The company has a large assortment of baby food. For the first feeding from 4 months, mixtures of zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and pumpkin are suitable. From six months you can buy a jar of turkey, beef or rabbit meat.

Hipp canned products are distinguished by their natural composition. Mixes include chopped vegetables, fruits, meat. There is nothing else in the product except water. The contents of the jars have a thick consistency, without lumps. Food has a pleasant taste and smell. The company uses convenient, safe packaging with a bright design that children love so much.

Advantages

Wide range for first foods;
High quality;
Choice of volume - 80 and 125 gr;
Uniform consistency.

Drawbacks

Expensive product.

With regular consumption of the product, parents noticed that the child's stool normalizes, the intestines begin to work stably. Healthy canned food is relevant in winter, when it is difficult to purchase fresh vegetables and fruits.

Heinz

A company from the USA delivers goods to different countries of the world. In the course of work, strict control systems, innovative equipment, and the latest advances in technology are used. The applied technologies allow keeping minerals and vitamins in the composition.

Heinz offers standard first food kits. In addition to vegetables, the composition contains cornmeal. This ingredient allows you to achieve a uniform consistency. Delicious puree like most children. The company responsibly approaches the compatibility of various components in the formulations.

Advantages

Meets stringent standards;
Rich taste;
Soft consistency;
Large selection.

Drawbacks

Not identified.

Heinz baby food is recommended by pediatricians to parents, as it contains minerals and vitamins that are important for the health of the child. Fiber stimulates the digestive system. Eating creates a feeling of satiety for a long period.

The company makes baby food with the best sugar-free ingredients. Only natural saccharides are present. The products are free of gluten, salt and flavors. The puree contains corn oil, which acts as a source of omega acids. And the use of rice flour provides a better consistency, it is also rich in amino acids and fiber.

Cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli or carrots are available as first foods. The age of the child is indicated on the package. The recipe complies with European standards regarding the nutrition of children. The products contain vitamins that are important for the full development of the crumbs.

Advantages

Soft consistency;
The mixture is thoroughly ground;
Contains useful components;
Natural pleasant taste.

Drawbacks

Presence in the composition of rice flour.

Parents note the good taste of baby food from Bebivita. As well as the use of safe products for the composition. Positive reviews are found about the quality of the packaging and the affordable price.

Which puree for the first feeding is better to buy

To find out exactly whether the baby is ready to introduce complementary foods, you need to consult with your doctor. It should not be ignored if the child refuses food and spits it out. It may be worth postponing the introduction of complementary foods 1-3 weeks later.

Before buying baby food, read the label carefully. The composition should not contain preservatives, flavor enhancers and palm oil. To restore the intestinal microflora, products with the addition of vitamins are suitable. It is important to look at the expiration date. And also choose content that is well absorbed at a certain age.

According to buyers and pediatricians, the following judgments about manufacturers can be distinguished:

From inexpensive mashed potatoes - products of the company "Babushkino Lukoshko";
Product for children of any age can be purchased from the manufacturer "Spelenok";
Puree for children from 5 months is offered by the Tema company;
Food from Gerber are suitable for those who appreciate the convenience of packaging;
Semper puree is a premium product;
Natural puree without additional ingredients available from Hipp;
Heinz offers the most vitamin purees;
Agusha and Hipp are recommended to stabilize the digestive system.

Usually, the specialist determines the period when it is possible to introduce puree for the first feeding of the child, according to the weight of the baby. Sometimes the decision is made earlier, if weight is not gained, the body suffers from a lack of vitamins and valuable nutrients.

The rating will help you choose mixtures that can replace natural feeding. And the reviews of parents and specialists will help you choose the right food for your child.

4 to 6 months

Breast milk is the best food for your baby.
It is very important that the baby consumes breast milk for as long as possible.

The right age to start complementary foods

It is recommended to start introducing complementary foods into the baby's diet no earlier than 4 months, but no later than 6 months*. At this age, the baby is in the active phase of development and reacts with curiosity to everything new! Some babies at 4 to 5 months of age can no longer satisfy their appetite with breast milk alone and need complementary foods for healthy growth. Other children have enough breast milk, and they are ready for the introduction of complementary foods only after 6 months. The decision to start complementary foods should always be made according to your baby's development. Do you feel like your baby is not getting enough breast milk? Does your baby hold his head on his own, show interest in new foods or a spoon? Then it's time to start feeding. If in doubt, consult your pediatrician.

If your baby spits out the first spoonfuls of puree, be patient. After all, he must first learn to swallow it. Start with a few scoops and give your child time to get used to the new form of feeding.

*Recommendation of the Nutrition Committee of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN)

Why is complementary food so important for the baby?

After 4-6 months of life, mother's milk or milk formula alone is not enough to supply the child's body with all the nutrients and necessary energy. In addition, the transition to solid food trains the muscles of the mouth. And finally, with the introduction of complementary foods, the child will get acquainted with the variety of taste directions, which is also important for his development.

When to start complementary foods?

Gradually replace one breastfeed with complementary foods. First for lunch, then for dinner and finally for lunch. The mouse eats breakfast with the usual dairy food.

Starting complementary foods with HiPP products is easy. The first spoons will be vegetable or fruit purees HiPP:

First step: lunch

We recommend that you start complementary foods at lunchtime with HiPP vegetable puree (for example, "Zucchini. My first puree", "Cauliflower. My first puree" or "Broccoli .My first puree"). Then, for satiety, feed your baby as always: breast or bottle. The amount of vegetable puree can be increased daily by 1 spoon. Be patient if your baby does not immediately love vegetables. Try repeating the vegetable puree in the following days. Next week, you can expand your diet with other varieties of HiPP vegetables (for example, "Carrots. My first puree" or "Potatoes. My first puree").

If your baby tolerates vegetables well, in the third week you can introduce grain porridge into the diet, and as a dessert, offer a few spoons of fruit puree enriched with vitamin C.