Introducing baby food at 5 months schedule

How to Introduce Solid Foods to your Baby {4-6 months}

The process of starting your baby on solid foods can be daunting to a first {or fourth} time mom! It feels like you finally get into a great sleeping/eating routine and then just like *that* it’s time to add something new to the mix. Well, after having four kids I want to share some tips and tricks from my experience on How to Introduce Solid Foods with your baby! Hopefully I can help make the introduction of baby food fun and not the least bit scary!

So this post discusses how to start out. In later posts I will show you how I prepare different foods for my babies!

Where we are at with nursing when we introduce solid foods.

I am all about getting my kids on a schedule. If you aren't, it's ok....one of the beautiful things about motherhood is the variety in it's methods. However, I swear by the book Babywise and all of my girls have slept through the night by 2 months old, which is invaluable to me.

Since I build a routine into our family, my babies pretty quickly adapt to the 3-hour nursing schedule and stick with it for the first 5-6 months of their cute little lives. This schedule determines when/how often I feed solids, so here is what a typical day looks like for us from birth to about 6 months old.

Every pediatrician my kids have seen has recommended starting solids by 6 months of age, with permission to begin as early as 4 months. I usually fall somewhere in between those two. I make the choice to start based on our life circumstances {e.g. we aren't super busy}. This time I started because ALL of my kids AND my husband were dying to see Mara eat food and feed her! LOL! Peer pressure at it’s finest.

There are a few signs to look for to determine if your baby is ready to give solid foods a go!

She is interested in food.

I notice my babies getting interested in the food I’m eating around 4-5 months old. They watch as I put a spoon in my mouth or lean in towards my plate to catch a closer look at the food on it. Mara actually went to grab my bowl of quinoa salad and spilled it allllll over the floor! She clearly is wondering what's going on during mealtime!

She can hold up her head.

You cannot feed a baby while she's laying down. 😉 Once our little ones can sit in a bumbo for at least 10 minutes without getting too tired then I know they are strong enough to sit up for a feeding!

She grabs things and put them in her mouth.

When you put a toy in your baby’s hands does she immediately put it in her mouth? Then they are likely ready to eat from a spoon.

Your baby will likely spit out most of the food you feed her at first. The first week or so is just getting her used to eating from a spoon. It’s not about calories or the amount of food that they actually ingest, as much as it is about teaching her a new skill that is completely foreign to her!

Remember, your baby can live on breastmilk alone for the first 6-7 months of her life, so relax and have fun. If she doesn't get the hang of it after a week you might want to stop and try again later.

Now, since I've waited until I was pretty sure my babies were more than ready to eat solid foods, they have all been champs. I made Mara's food a little thicker than I usually have in the past to start, and she did great! You will know what your baby can handle as you try different things!

Always nurse {or feed a bottle} first.

The bulk of your baby’s nutrition needs to come from breastmilk {or formula}. It is important that your baby nurses or drinks her bottle first so she does not fill up on solid foods before she receives the nutrition she needs. Any solid foods should be considered supplements to nursing at the 4-8 month stage.

Start with very thin/liquidy “food”

My husband laughs and says we start our babies on "liquid foods" not solids. Eating is a new skill for your baby. She is only used to ingesting liquids, so if you try to feed her thick, pasty food she will likely gag, choke and not be able to swallow it. If you begin with cereal make it very thin and runny. If you begin with avocado or sweet potato blend it with enough water to make it easy to swallow for your child.

Observe your baby after she eats.

When it’s time to start solid foods I usually choose to introduce new foods at the lunchtime feeding (11 AM). I do this because it is the longest stretch of time my babies are awake during the day, so I can observe them and see if they have an allergic reaction to new foods.

It’s very important to be certain that your child is not allergic to the foods you feed them. Do not feed your baby a new food and put them down for a nap right away. You run the risk of being unaware if they have an allergic reaction, which I don't have to tell you, is not good.

Introduce solid foods 1 at a time with 4-5 days in between.

This also is to ensure that you are certain your child is not allergic to the foods they are eating. If you introduce multiple foods at a time and your child has a reaction, you will be unable to discern which food is causing the problem. If you have only fed them one new food and they react poorly to it, then you know exactly what the cause is!

Ok, so here is a super practical chart of how I introduce solid foods week by week. The first week is just getting your baby used to eating from a spoon and increasing food intake. After that I try to add a new feeding every week for the first three weeks until they are eating breakfast, lunch and dinner {again, always nursing first}.

How to know when they are done.

Remember your baby’s stomach is the size of their cute little fist. Do not jam them full! Every baby is different. At the beginning stages of eating solids all my babies ate about 2-4 TBS of food per meal. However, you need to listen to your baby and watch their cues. If they start pulling their head away, pushing the spoon away with their hands, refusing to open their mouths, etc. then they are telling you they are done. Please don’t force your baby to finish all the food you prepare for them. They are learning and so are you. I have often mixed up a meal for my baby only to have them eat 2 TBS of it. I simply put the rest in the refrigerator for the next meal!

New Foods

Once you have worked up to 3 meals/day, the goal is to continue introducing new foods, one every 4-5 days! Here is a list of foods that are great for a beginning eater {4-6 months}

After you have introduced your baby to many different foods and are feeding her three times a day, you will be able to get into a routine that works for your family.

Since times for meals vary so widely from family to family, I've created a graphic with a typical day for my babies around 6-8 months! I try to vary the type of fruits and veggies I feed them daily. If they eat an orange vegetable at lunch, I serve a green veggie at dinner. If they have bananas at breakfast, they get pears at the next meal!

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. I had to introduce avocado to my oldest 4 times before she actually liked it and ate it willingly. My mom thought I was being mean feeding her a food she didn't like {LOL}. But I truly believe that we {parents} determine whether or not our children become picky eaters.

Of course it's easier to only feed your baby the foods she absolutely loves and gobbles up willingly. However, we try to parent for the later, not just the now. So even though now I'd just like to fill her belly with bananas so she takes a good nap, it's very important to me that my children learn to eat what they are served, whether they love it or not.

And finally, here is a list of products that I use {and love} to make baby food. The list is short and simple but all of these things are staples in my baby-feed life!

Vitamix

Surprise surprise right?! I actually bought my first Vitamix when my oldest daughter was starting solids so that I could make baby food for her, {and smoothies for me}! 😉 It has become my most beloved kitchen tool {as you know if you've spent any amount of time on my blog}!

Silicone molds/ice cube trays make it SO easy to freeze baby food in perfectly, pre-portioned amounts. I use silicone ice cube molds or mini brownie trays to freeze the baby food in 1 or 2 TBS portions. Then I simply reheat it in the microwave for 30 seconds per cube!

These bibs were life changing. We didn't discover them until my second child {Gabe} was like 2 years old. I love that you can wipe them clean after eating instead of needing to throw them in the washer every time! LOVE.

I'm pretty sure we got the spoons we use regularly from the dollar store! LOL! Just make sure you get little ones that your baby can easily put in their moth!

You will have to feed your baby on the go. You will need a way to transport your homemade baby food! Here are a few great options!

That's it! You don't need anything crazy fancy to make your baby food! Simple, easy, cost effective and nutritious!

Do you have any questions about introducing your baby to solid foods that I didn't answer in this post?!

If you make something from JoyFoodSunshine I would love to see your creations! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below! Also, follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter for more recipe inspiration and a glimpse into our everyday life!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!

Homemade baby food introducing solids schedule

Homemade baby food introducing solids schedule is a guide on what foods to introduce to your baby at different stages. A great way for making sure they get plenty of variety!

Introducing solids to your little one -- which just means supplementing the breast milk or formula they are getting with baby food purees -- is an exciting and somewhat scary time. It can be intimidating to know what to do, when and how.

I've put together a lot of homemade baby food resources on this blog to help you through the process and to encourage you to make your own baby food. It's so, so easy. I promise!

Update: I've also written a new cookbook all about making healthy, easy baby food! The Healthy, Quick & Easy Baby Food cookbook is available on Amazon and in most booksellers. It's got all the info and resources you need to get started, plus 100 recipes ranging from single purees to combinations to finger foods and toddler meals. You'll have everything you need in one place! (Also, it makes a great gift!)

Today though, I've created a homemade baby food introducing solids schedule for you to use as a guide to beginning this journey.

This list is what I researched and used when introducing baby food to M and I mostly stuck to the same thing with J. My kiddos loved purees and were not big on baby-led weaning, so this is the route I took.

(And if you want to save that schedule above, I made a free printable PDF for you!)

Currently, the recommendation is to introduce solids to a baby somewhere between 4 and 6 months old, depending on the child's readiness. Talk to your pediatrician about when to introduce solids for your baby.
Wait 3-5 days between introducing new foods, to monitor for an allergic reaction.
Speaking of allergies, current research says it's OK to introduce peanut products as early as 4-6 months old. (This is new since my kids were babies. ) If you are concerned about a possible peanut allergy, please check with your health care provider before offering any type of peanut product to your baby.
You can refrigerate homemade baby food for up to 3-5 days and freeze baby food for up to 6 months. Just be sure to label everything!
Got extra? I've got tons of ideas and recipes (and a video and free printable, too) for ways to use leftover baby food.
Check out my master list of homemade baby food resources for more info.

Also, if you are new to this journey, check out my guide on how to make homemade baby food purees. I walk you through ALL the ins and outs of making purees at home, including step-by-step instructions for 10 favorite beginner purees.

You can watch this video to see how easy it is to make your own baby food:

I hope this homemade baby food introducing solids schedule is helpful for you to get started! Here's the FREE PRINTABLE again if you want to print this schedule out to save.

Oh, and if you have a fussy teething baby that's 8 months or older, definitely check out these homemade baby teething biscuits.

And if you want to be super efficient in making baby purees, it's all about the batch cooking.

Here are my collections of beginner homemade baby food batch cooking -- lots of beginner baby food basics grouped together to make the most out of your precious time. You can knock out 5 foods in as little as 20 minutes!

These batch cooking guides will also give you step-by-step details on how exactly to prepare various foods for your baby.

Homemade baby food round 1: peas, green beans, applesauce, butternut squash, oatmeal
Homemade baby food round 2: sweet potato, brown rice, chicken, pears, banana
Homemade baby food round 3: quinoa, peaches, avocado, pumpkin, cottage cheese
Homemade baby food round 4: broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, black beans, Greek yogurt
Homemade baby food round 5: asparagus, barley, edamame, blueberries, mango
Homemade baby food round 6: apricots, prunes, egg yolks, chick peas, blackberries

Lastly, have fun with it! It's exciting to see your baby discover the joys of different food and flavors!

Enjoy and let me know if you have questions! Happy to try and help 😊

XO,

Kathryn

(P. S. Here's the link for the free printable again!)

Complementary Feeding Scheme | Nutriclub

Regardless of whether your child is receiving breast milk or infant formula, at about six months of age, according to WHO* recommendations, the first complementary foods should be introduced. But where to start feeding? And how to do it right? Let's talk in order.

It is at the age of 6 months that the baby's body responds best to new foods. The first complementary foods in combination with breast milk should provide the child with all the useful substances necessary for his growth and development. Also, the timely introduction of complementary foods contributes to the development of the chewing skills of the baby. Russian pediatric practice also allows for earlier introduction of complementary foods - from 4-5 months **.

How many months to introduce complementary foods?

To know when it's time to consider introducing food other than milk or formula, watch for signs of complementary feeding. It's time to start complementary foods if:

The baby sits with support, does not roll over on its side
The child shows food interest: follows the spoon with his eyes when you eat, tries to steal something from your plate
Ejection reflex faded, child opens mouth when offered food

Consult your paediatrician before introducing complementary foods. And in order to introduce complementary foods correctly, read the complementary feeding scheme below.

Rules for the introduction of complementary foods

All new products are introduced with ½ teaspoon and then gradually adjusted to the age norm.
New products are best given in the morning or afternoon to be able to track the reaction throughout the day.
Do not introduce a new product until the previous one has been brought to the age norm.
Complementary foods are offered before feeding with breast milk or its substitute.
Until the amount of product per feeding is brought to the age norm, you should continue to supplement the baby with breast milk or infant formula. Thus, the volume of the complementary food product will gradually increase, and the volume of milk or formula, on the contrary, will decrease until it completely disappears.

Complementary feeding scheme

Age	Foods and portion sizes
4-5 months	Complementary foods at this early age should be introduced if the child is not gaining weight well or is at risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. Complementary foods are introduced to healthy children from 5 months. There are a number of contraindications for an early start of complementary foods, consult your pediatrician! What foods can you start complementary foods with: Vegetable puree Dairy-free cereals.
6 months	What foods should be in the baby's diet if you introduced complementary foods at 5 months: Dairy-free cereals - up to 150 g Vegetable puree - up to 150 g What new foods are introduced into the diet: Meat puree - up to 30 g Vegetable oil - up to 1 tsp. Fruit puree - up to 60 g
7 months	What foods should be in the baby's diet by the end of the 7th month: Porridge - 150 g. Vegetable puree - 170g Meat Puree - 30g Fruit puree - 70g Vegetable oil - 1 tsp What new foods are introduced into the diet: Butter - up to ½ tsp. Boiled egg yolk - up to ¼ pc. Fruit juice - 70 ml. Baby biscuits - 1-2 pieces
8 months	What foods should be in the baby's diet by the end of the 7th month: Porridge - 180 g. Vegetable puree - 170g Meat Puree - 50g Fruit puree - up to 80 g. Vegetable oil - ½ tsp. Butter - ½ tsp. Boiled egg yolk - ½ pc. Fruit juice up to 70 ml. Baby biscuits 1-2 pcs. What new foods are introduced into the diet: Baby kefir or yogurt - up to 100 ml, as an alternative to breast milk or formula in one of the feedings
9-12 months	What foods should be in the diet of a child at this age: Porridge for breakfast and/or dinner* Vegetable puree - for lunch and/or dinner Meat puree - about 50 g. Fruit puree - for afternoon tea and/or breakfast Vegetable oil - ½ tsp. Butter - 1 tsp. Boiled egg yolk - ½ pc. Fruit juice and/or compote up to 100 ml. Baby biscuits - up to 2 pcs. Baby kefir or yoghurt up to 200 ml. What new foods are introduced into the diet: Meatballs or fish (as an alternative to mashed meat) - 50 g Bread or croutons - 10 g Cottage cheese - 50-70 g; as an alternative to 100 ml of kefir or yogurt in one of the feedings

After 9-12 months volumes of previously introduced products will continue to increase, but remember that the older the child, the more pronounced the individual characteristics, therefore, the food needs of children at this age may differ.

Focus on your baby's weight gain, appetite, and your own common sense.

If you think your child is malnourished or is not gaining weight, please consult a pediatrician.

When using any materials from the site nutriclub.ru, a link to the site is required.

Introduction of complementary foods to an infant

Breast milk contains enzymes, essential amino acids, antibodies, vitamins and other substances necessary for the growth and development of the baby. However, with age (between 6-24 months, according to WHO), the needs of the child change, and then it is necessary to introduce complementary foods. At the same time, it is not necessary to immediately turn off breastfeeding (WHO recommends breastfeeding until 2 years of age). Anna Aleksandrovna Tsaregorodtseva, a CTA pediatrician, spoke about how to competently introduce new foods into a child's diet.

You can start feeding your baby if:

He is 6 months old or older.
He holds his head well.
Can touch his mouth with his hand and actively "chews" various objects.
If you put him in a high chair or on an adult's lap, the child will be able to sit.
He has a food interest: when adults eat, the baby watches, pulls his hands and wants to try.

Getting Started

The first foods should be puréed to make it easier for the baby to digest them!

As a rule, the child is first introduced to vegetables. If you want to introduce vegetables from jars, then it is better to buy mono-products - so that the puree contains only zucchini or only broccoli, etc. It is best to start with zucchini. After that, you can enter cauliflower, then broccoli, then potatoes, pumpkin and carrots.

Enter at lunchtime (12-15 hours) and no more than one product at a time. Vegetable puree (like any other complementary foods) is given before breastfeeding or formula, 1 teaspoon. The next day, you need to observe the skin and stool of the child and do not give him complementary foods, but only breastfeed! If the body perceives the new product normally, in a day you can give 2 tsp already. zucchini. According to the same scheme - if everything is in order, you can increase the amount to 3 tsp. Gradually give more complementary foods (up to 5 spoons) and less and less often supplement the child with milk. When the volume of vegetables in the diet is approximately 150-200 g per day, you can stop breastfeeding your baby at this meal.

How to enter a new dish

The 2nd dish (cauliflower) must be added to the one already entered. That is, 5 tsp. zucchini and 1 tsp. cauliflower. On the "fasting day" you can give 5 tsp. zucchini, but discard the cabbage and watch. As a result, you will give the baby 5 tsp. zucchini and 5 tsp. cauliflower.

Then you can enter the 3rd dish - broccoli - and then other vegetables. When the child is familiar with different vegetables, vegetable mixtures can be introduced.

If you want to feed your child with home-cooked vegetables, then note that it is best to boil vegetables in a double boiler. So it will be possible to save vitamins and minerals.

Fruits and berries

When the child digests vegetables well, fruits can be added to the diet. It is better to give them from jars. The time for the introduction of fruit is an afternoon snack (16-18 hours).

As the first fruit, it is better to take an apple, then a pear, then a prunes. The scheme is the same: 1 tsp. applesauce before breastfeeding. The next day, you do not give fruit and feed the child vegetables that he is already used to. A day later, the amount of applesauce increases to 2 tsp. and so on.

Liquids

With the introduction of complementary foods, the child should be offered bottled or boiled water. Pour water into a cup so that your baby does not get used to a bottle with a pacifier. Children drink well from a cup from birth!

Other products

You can also introduce ground cereals into the diet, gradually adding butter or vegetable oil to them. If this is baby porridge and needs to be diluted with liquid, then it is better to use mother's milk or a mixture, rather than cow's.