What are 2nd foods for babies

What It Is, When to Start, and Options to Try

Stage 2 Baby Food: What It Is, When to Start, and Options to Try

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Medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD — By Rhona Lewis on September 25, 2020

Accompanying your child through the different stages of learning how to eat real food is an exciting journey. Sometimes, along with the sense of pride — Look, they polished off the whole jar! — you can feel a little confused. How are you supposed to navigate the milestones?

Let’s start at the beginning: What do the stages of baby food mean, anyway?

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your baby’s digestive system won’t make the leap from liquid to solid in one day either. That’s what the stages of baby food are for — to help your baby manage the mechanics of eating and to make the transition easier on your baby’s digestive system.

Defining the stages across the brands

While the different stages of baby food aren’t standardized (it would make your life easier if they were!), most popular brands more-or-less follow these four stages:

Stage 1: 4 to 6 months (watery puree of a single ingredient)
Stage 2: 6 to 9 months (thicker texture that is strained or mashed)
Stage 3: 10 to 12 months (mush that has soft, chewable, small chunks)
Stage 4: After 12 months (finger foods and small, soft pieces of foods you share from your own supper)

What is the difference between stage 1 and stage 2 food?

Stage 1 foods are pretty watery. They’re pureed into a smooth paste that can drip off a spoon easily, so stock up on your bibs. These foods are usually made of a single ingredient: oatmeal cereal, apple, carrots. Your baby will start off eating about half a teaspoon of this.

Stage 2 foods get more exciting. These are strained or mashed into a dense paste. They’re made with a combination of foods that can include legumes and even meats or fish. They may combine flavors, like fruit and veggie blends. Your baby’s appetite is growing and you’ll have to keep pace with bigger portions.

At around 6 to 9 months, your baby is probably ready to move on to stage 2 foods. Not every baby will stick to this schedule simply because every child is a world to their own.

Here are some signs that your child is ready to move on:

Tongue reflex: At around five months, your child will start losing their tongue thrust reflex and won’t immediately push out the food that you try to feed them.
More please: They’ll easily polish off the stage 1 foods and look hungry for more.
Variety: They’ll have eaten foods from all the food categories (vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, meat) and shown no allergy or intolerance.
Enjoyment: They’re managing spoonfuls of stage 1 foods easily, mouthing and swallowing happily.

At this exciting stage, feel free to give your baby most types of foods. By offering them a wide range of tastes and textures, you’re giving them a foundation for healthy eating habits — as well as making it easier for yourself. Keep in mind the following safety points:

Choking hazards: Avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn at this stage. And make sure to slice round foods like grapes and hot dogs lengthwise.
No honey: Children younger than 12 months should not be given honey because it could lead to a botulism infection.
No juice: Follow AAP guidelines and stick with breast milk, formula or a little water and steer clear of juices.
Safe feeding: Always strap your child into their high chair and keep an eye on them while they’re eating.

And if you’re wondering about peanuts, here’s the scoop: A 2017 release from the National Institutes of Health suggests exposing children to peanut-containing foods as early as 4 months old. (Wait till 6 months for children with mild or moderate eczema.)

Surprised? Don’t be. A recent study suggested that Israeli kids rarely suffer from peanut allergies because they’re munching on Bamba, a peanut-based snack, from as early as 3 months. Talk to your doctor about suggested safe ways to incorporate peanut products into your little one’s diet.

What’s on the menu for stage 2 baby foods? Basically, you can go the store-bought or the homemade route. Or you can mix both depending on how much time you have. It’s up to you and your personal schedule.

Here are tasty ideas for both options.

Store-bought stage 2 baby food

Plum: These organic blends come in easy-to-transport pouches. Try pear, spinach, and pea, or banana and pumpkin.
Beech-Nut: Options are available in jars and pouches. Serve up some apples and bananas or pineapple, pear, and avocado.
Earth’s Best: Another organic option, in pouches or jars. Try sweet potato, barley, and garbanzo or pasta with tomato and white bean.
Gerber: A classic, whether served up from plastic tubs, jars, or pouches. Flavor combinations include peach mango and oatmeal or chicken noodle dinner.

Remember to monitor your little one while they’re eating. Pouches are handy, but the caps can be a choking hazard. Glass jars are at risk of breaking, so keep them out of baby’s reach. Your baby should always enjoy snacks and meals with attentive adult supervision.

Homemade stage 2 baby food

Cooking up a storm for your baby’s budding taste buds at this stage doesn’t have to be challenging. Here are a few recipes to get you going. (You can find even more baby food recipes here. )

Don’t shy away from spices and herbs: your baby will appreciate the added flavor, and the micronutrients in them will give their immune system a boost.

Apple, butternut, and carrot: Boil the ingredients until they test soft with a fork. Drain some of the water, but set it aside in case you need to thin the mixture. Sprinkle in a little curry and blend.
Blueberries and chickpeas: You can cook up your own chickpeas or use a prepared version to save time. Mix equal amounts of blueberries and chickpeas. Blend and add breastmilk, formula, or water to get the right consistency. You can also add in some rice for extra oomph and texture.
Salmon with roasted zucchini and fennel: Spray the salmon and vegetables with oil and broil for about 15 minutes. Add chopped parsley and blend. You can thin the mixture with breastmilk, formula, or water.

Enjoy this stage with your baby because it won’t be long before they move on to the next stages. And then, sooner than you think, you may be facing competition for that last slice of caramel-topped cheesecake.

Last medically reviewed on September 25, 2020

Parenthood
Baby
06 Months 1 Year

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Du Toit G, et al. (2015). Randomized trial of peanut consumption
in infants at risk for peanut allergy.
nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/nejmoa1414850
NIH-sponsored expert panel issues clinical guidelines to prevent peanut allergy. (2017).
nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-sponsored-expert-panel-issues-clinical-guidelines-prevent-peanut-allergy
Where we stand: fruit juice. (2017).
healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Fruit-Juice.aspx

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Medically reviewed by Mia Armstrong, MD — By Rhona Lewis on September 25, 2020

What Is Stage 2 Baby Food & How To Get Started

When your infant moves from an all-milk diet into pureed baby food and formula, it’s a cause for celebration.

This interest in new foods is a sure sign they’re growing up — and that one day, their feeding schedule will become less hectic — that needs a nurturing focus on the part of the parents. It also requires a little bit of patience to see the process through.

But did you know that different age ranges require different baby puree combinations? If your little one is between 6-9 months old, here’s everything you need to know about stage 2 foods for baby meals.

What is stage 2 baby food?

Stage 2 is what it sounds like: the second step of a baby’s food stages and ages.

This type of baby food is suitable for children 6-9 months old. When you open up a jar, you’ll find a thick purée of solid food mashed into a pulp. Combinations of foods, like sweet potato and apple, are common.

The main goal with baby food puree isn’t the taste but the texture. You’re trying to wean your baby away from their smoother breast milk diet so they can become used to the consistency of solid foods with this in-between consistency.

Every baby has a different pace for adapting to step 2 purées. Some will be ready for the next stage of baby foods earlier than others. If the dates don’t fall too far outside of the regular age bracket, there shouldn’t be cause for concern.

However, if you remain worried, it’s best to contact your pediatrician for dietary advice.

MapleHorizons - pixabay.com

What is the difference between stage 1 and stage 2 food?

Stage 1 baby food is made for infants 4-6 months old. It usually consists of smooth or watery purees made from a single-ingredient paste. In comparison, stage 2 baby food is designed for infants 6-9 months old, and is a thicker texture, between mashed and puréed. It may include combinations of meat and veggies or fish.

After stage 2, you need to reach several other feeding milestones:

Stage 3 baby food is for 10-12 months. Meals should have small pieces of food in them to encourage your baby to chew more.
Stage 4 baby food is for one year and over. This is a transitional stage for your little one, where they’re reliant on standard baby food recipes but will be experimenting with regular, healthy meal options — or “real food.” By stage 4, you’re usually just about finished weaning your baby.

‍Parenting tip: You’ll find no standardized metric for what constitutes the “right” type of food texture for your baby. You’ll see variation between baby food brands. Because of this, it’s best to view this description of baby food stages and ages as a general guideline rather than a hard-and-fast rule. Use common sense, and be attuned to your baby’s personal preferences.

5686750 - pixabay.com

When do we start stage 2 baby food, and how?

How long do babies eat stage 1 food? Until they’re 6 months old. After that, you’ll switch over to stage 2.

Before you make the switch, you’ll need to ensure that your baby is equipped for this milestone. If they struggle with trying different foods, it can be a red flag for choking hazards.

Signs your baby is ready to start stage 2 food:

No allergic reactions or food intolerances to stage 1.
No automatic tongue reflex that pushes food away when you try to feed them.
Finishing off their food quickly and showing an interest in eating more.

Once you’re sure your little one will be OK with a new type of food, it’s time to make your shopping list. Focus on baby foods with an exciting texture or taste, and be diverse with your combinations. By picking out a wide variety of meals, you’re adjusting your child to a large selection of flavors, which will help avoid the pitfalls of picky eating.

Foods you should always avoid:

What baby food to start with:

Fruits, either puréed or paste.
Vegetables, either puréed or paste. If you include grapes in your homemade baby food diet at stage 2, they must be cut in half.
Meat and fish, puréed or as paste.
Premade organic baby food options.

Remember, always include formula or breastfeeding as part of your baby’s feeding schedule. Prioritize feeding on-demand or when your baby expresses hunger.

At the beginning of your baby’s transition to stage 2, make sure to stick to purees and pastes. Toward the 8-9 month mark, you can introduce finely mashed solid foods, as per American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Read up on the 9-month-old feeding schedule to know more.

MapleHorizons - pixabay.com

What are some options for stage 2 baby food?

Looking for some store-bought baby food combinations that offer stage 2 purees? Try the following brands:

Gerber.
Beech-Nut.
Plum baby food.

If you want to make a baby food puree on your own, try the following ingredients:

Mangos.
Asparagus.
Carrots.
Bananas.
Peaches.
Applesauce.
Rhubarb.
Beets.

Here are a few more tips for the best baby food experience

Never leave your baby unattended in a high chair while they’re eating. They could be at risk of choking.
Let your baby be messy with their food! Learning the texture of the items in front of them and whether or not they’re edible is part of their growth. Holding the food lets them develop their pincer grasp.
If your baby looks upset when trying out a new piece of food, it doesn’t mean they dislike the food — they may just be thrown off by the texture. Try that food combo a few more times to see if they adjust or if you end up with the same result. If they dislike it after a few attempts, move on to another option.

Looking for other baby food supplies to make mealtime easier? Browse through Gopuff’s selection of easy-to-order goods that can be delivered right to your home.

Second courses in the child's diet | Motherhood

In continuation of the article “First Courses in the Children's Diet”, we will talk about an equally important component of the dinner - second courses.

Lunch is an important meal. The correct ratio of the received nutritional value of the diet during the day is: 50% for lunch, 50% for breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner combined. And just the main dishes deliver most of the calories to the children's body. That is why you can’t give in to persuasions like: “I’d rather eat two soups than a casserole” or “please, I don’t want mashed potatoes.” Second courses are an important integral part of the children's diet. Lunch is incomplete without them. And point.

I don't want to chew!

Many parents complain that their children do not like to chew and prefer liquid, pureed foods. In some babies, solid pieces of food even cause a gag reflex. However, it is necessary to gradually accustom children to the chewing process. Normally, by the age of two, most children acquire twenty milk teeth, which quite allow them to cope not only with soups and mashed potatoes, but also with raw carrots or pieces of meat, for example. And it is important not to indulge children's reluctance to work hard during lunch. After all, it is during chewing that the production of digestive juices, which are necessary for the absorption of food, increases.

By the way: Speech therapists say that chewing solid food (pieces of meat, whole raw carrots, etc.) helps develop speech by strengthening the facial muscles and tongue. Dentists are in solidarity with them, who assign chewing an important role in the formation of the correct bite.

In order to facilitate the process of getting used to the second courses, introduce them gradually. First, give well-boiled cereals, vegetable and cereal casseroles, soft stewed vegetables. Then, little by little, add small pieces to dishes, boil cereals less, reduce the time of heat treatment of vegetables. Gradually, the child will definitely get used to food, which requires some effort from him.

What to give?

The child's diet must be varied and balanced. Mothers willy-nilly have to act as nutritionists and baby food specialists. What foods and how to give to children?

Meat

We talked about meat dishes in detail in the article “Meat and Offal in Baby Nutrition”. Therefore, we will not dwell on these products in detail. Let's talk about sausages. Unfortunately, due to lack of time, sometimes parents are forced to allow children to eat tasty, but dubious (in terms of not even good, but at least harmless) sausage. Baby nutrition experts warn parents: in extreme cases and as rarely as possible, babies are allowed to give only fresh milk sausages and boiled sausage with the most natural composition possible.

Fish

Another indispensable component of children's second courses. The main thing is to remember that fatty and delicacy varieties are undesirable in the diet of babies at least up to a year and a half. Therefore, leave sturgeon, palus, salmon for later. Canned and smoked fish have no place at all on the children's table. The only exceptions are special canned food for children (for example, excellent fish dishes are produced by Swedish manufacturers of baby food). Caviar, which we have always considered a delicacy, can also harm small children, because it is not only too oily for them, but also a strong allergen.

Start introducing fish dishes with meatballs and meatballs made from carefully deboned minced meat. They can be steamed or baked in the oven. When the child grows up, you can try to give caviar, but do not get carried away, in the first days, just a few eggs will be enough. And after the "sampling" observe the condition of the baby. If everything went smoothly and there was no allergic reaction, you can increase the amount of caviar.

Vegetables

In the diet of children from one and a half to three years old, potatoes in various forms must be present daily (!) Other vegetables are also very useful. Make sure that the child regularly eats pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, cabbage (including Peking), beets, tomatoes, cucumbers. From a year and a half, gradually introduce turnips, radishes, radishes and a variety of legumes. Don't forget greenery too. Small amounts of lettuce, parsley, onion feathers, garlic and spinach can be given to children older than one and a half years.

Cereals

Now there is a great variety of cereals on the shelves. And this diversity should definitely be used. No doubt, the famous buckwheat and oatmeal are not in vain loved by us, they have a lot of mineral salts and vitamins, there is also a complete protein. But do not forget about millet, barley, barley and corn grits. You can make different side dishes with them, cooking them solo or with vegetables. Make sure that a child over one and a half years old eats about 15-20 g of cereal per day (including not only cereals, but also cereals that are added to soups, casseroles and other dishes).

Pasta

Vermicelli and pasta are also entitled to their place in the children's menu. But, of course, you should not give them too often: excessive consumption of carbohydrates is useless. 50 g per day is enough (and this is taking into account the pasta added to the soup, for example).

Eggs

Eggs are perfectly acceptable in baby food. If the child does not have problems with the pancreas, then from time to time he can use both traditional omelettes and soft-boiled eggs, and if there are problems, cook protein omelettes for a while. Soft-boiled eggs for children should be boiled in accordance with the rules: 2-3 minutes with a slight boil. In this case, there will be no harm to babies from eggs.

Of course, every family has its favorite, tried and tested main courses. But sometimes you want something new. And if children are growing up in the house, then it is all the more worth diversifying the traditional menu. We have selected several recipes that will help you feed your children with maximum benefit.

Fish puree

You will need:

80 - 100 g fish fillet
1 carrot
1 - 2 potatoes
1 tsp butter
Dill, parsley, etc.

Boil peeled vegetables and fish fillets in different containers. Cut the fillet, carefully choosing the bones. Grind vegetables and fish with a blender, add butter. You can serve the table with greens.

Puree can be given to children from 1 year of age.

Grechaniki

You will need:

20-30 g wheat flour
80 - 100 g buckwheat flour (washed and dried buckwheat can be ground in a coffee grinder)
5 - 7 g dry yeast
1 egg
1 - 2 st. l. milk
1 tsp granulated sugar
salt to taste
parsley or dill
low fat sour cream

Mix wheat flour, yeast and granulated sugar, add milk. Leave the resulting dough in a warm place for half an hour. When a rich foam appears, add buckwheat flour, egg, salt to the dough. Knead the dough. Shape the dough into patties and place on a baking sheet. Greeks are baked for about 25 - 30 minutes. Serve with sour cream and herbs.

Greek can be given to children from 1 year old.

Pasta with zucchini

(in our family this dish is jokingly called “zucchini”, everyone likes it: both adults and children)

You will need:

any pasta 9078
zucchini (preferably young, but not necessary)
1 teaspoon refined sunflower oil
salt to taste

Boil pasta until tender. Remove the skin from the zucchini and cut it into thin slices. This is best done with a regular potato peeler. Just use it to remove the thinnest translucent layers. If the zucchini is young, then you do not need to remove the seeds. Stew the resulting zucchini "petals" for a short time with a small amount of vegetable oil. Mix zucchini with pasta. When serving, you can squeeze one or two cloves of garlic. This will give the dish piquancy and goodness.

This dish can be given to children from 1. 5 years old.

Green beans with tomatoes

You will need:

200 g green string beans
1 - 2 fresh tomatoes
1 - 2 eggs
salt to taste
vegetable oil

Scald the tomato with boiling water, remove the skin and cut into cubes. Simmer green beans (fresh or frozen) over low heat with a little vegetable oil for 10 minutes. Add chopped tomato and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Shortly before cooking, add raw eggs and salt, mix. If for some reason the child cannot eggs, then you can cook the dish without them.

This dish can be given to children from 2 years of age.

Photo - photo bank Lori

What do we have for the second? - Parents.ru

About nutrition

Photo: Getty Images

How to cook soup for a child, we have already found out: the baby's stomach is already completely ready for a meeting with adult food, the main thing here is not to overdo it with spices. It's time to move on to the second course.

The classic version - a piece of meat or fish plus a side dish - for a change can be alternated from time to time with an alternative - pilaf and casseroles. Only in both cases, the basis of the dish should be meat (or offal - liver, tongue), because it is it that provides babies with a complete protein - thus, it contains all the necessary amino acids and is well absorbed.

This element is incredibly important for the body of children: protein is needed to build new cells and tissues, participates in the development of intelligence, immunity, and is simply necessary to supply tissues with oxygen (blood protein, hemoglobin, is responsible for this).

In addition to protein, meat products provide babies with other important elements: iron, zinc, B vitamins (including vitamin B12, which is found nowhere but in meat). When planning a baby’s diet, keep in mind that fish should appear in it 1-2 times a week: it contains amino acids important for its development, including polyunsaturated ones, plus calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

The second meal for kids should be prepared from low-fat varieties of meat and fish: beef, veal, chicken, turkey, rabbit meat and cod, hake, ice, saffron cod, pike perch, pike, carp. They can be boiled, stewed and baked, with the last two processing methods retaining a maximum of nutrients.

The second course, as well as all other "participants" of the baby's menu, is given a certain place. For children from 1 to 2 years old, a portion of a meat or fish dish is 50–60 g, and a side dish is 70–80 g; from 1.5 to 3 years - 60-70 and 100-110 g, respectively, and, finally, from 3 to 5 years - 70-80 and 130-140 g.

Since a one-year-old baby cannot yet boast of a solid set of teeth, prepare delicate food for him: soufflés, meatballs and meatballs.

And when the child is one and a half years old and he gets "molar" teeth, treat him to more adult food - stew, goulash and beef stroganoff.