Most babies are able to start eating solids around 6 months, but confirming with your healthcare provider or pediatrician before starting solids is always a good idea!
At Still Harbor, our products are designed to make feeding time easy and fun! And to make things even easier, we designed a guide to help you and your baby have the best feeding experience!
Deciding which foods to start your baby off with can feel daunting. Feeding research recommends starting your baby with infant oatmeal and mixing it with breastmilk to give them something familiar first. After your baby gets used to eating one food you can:
1) Start introducing single ingredient baby foods such as pureed carrots, pureed avocados, or pureed peas
2) Introduce single food baby foods such as applesauce, pureed sweet potato, or pureed banana
3) Work in two ingredient baby foods after your baby gets comfortable with single ingredient foods
4) Introduce 3 ingredient (at 7 months) foods and 4 ingredient foods (8 months) as baby gets more comfortable
As your baby starts to explore eating solids, it's important to remember some key details:
1) Babies aged 6 months should only eat foods that are pureed and very smooth in consistency
2) Babies should be given the same foods for at least three days to ensure they don't have a reaction to the food and give them time to get used to the flavor
3) Your baby will guide you when they are done eating - it's important not to force this process or try to speed up your baby's exploration
4) The first few months of introducing solids should only include smooth textured foods to help baby get comfortable and reduce choking hazards
5) Babies can start drinking small amounts of water when they start eating solids - this can encourage healthy habits!
Every baby has a different food journey. It is important to consult with your healthcare provider around when and how to introduce allergy prone foods such as eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, etc.
1) Signs of readiness for solids can be found in your baby's behavior! Sitting up by themselves, holding their head up well, opening their mouths when you go to take a bite, and reaching for food are all indicators that your baby might be ready for solids
2) Consider starting with vegetables first to allow your baby to develop a broader palette
3) Feed your baby small bites and start with 2 ounces of food at a time to ease your baby into the process
4) At 8 months, babies can start eating thicker textured foods and more variety, but take it slow! Your baby needs a chance to adjust and get used to eating solids
At 8-10 months old, your baby will be able to experiment with new foods and different textures. At this stage it's important to remember:
1) Babies still can't have honey, cows milk, or added salt in their food. They also shouldn't be consuming processed sugars and should still rely on breast milk/formula.
2) Giving your baby small portions of whatever you're already making for yourself can help reduce stress around what to make. Just make sure you're prioritizing a fruit, vegetable, whole grain, and iron-rich protein for you and baby!
3) Babies can start eating soft puffed cereals and baby snacks that can easily dissolve.
4) Don't be afraid to feed baby a variety of foods - just make sure these foods are chopped and easy for baby to chew.
Babies might start to feed themselves more at this stage, using mostly their hands and pincher fingers to grasp food.
1) As babies start to feed themselves, they might start to throw food on the floor or wipe food on their highchair tray. While this may be frustrating at first, it's also a way for baby to explore cause and effect! You can try offering less food, providing baby with a bowl for unwanted food, and gently teaching baby that food stays on the tray.
2) At this point, your baby will start to need 3 meals a day along with 1-2 snacks.
3) You might need to start getting creative when introducing baby to new foods. This can include the classic "airplane" feeding method (where spoon/fork is pretend airplane), you trying the food first, or other creative methods you come up with.
Mealtime can be fun but it can also feel stressful as a new parent, especially if you're concerned about making sure your baby gets enough. Babies are naturally intuitive eaters, which means they can cue you when they're full.
1) Babies show fullness through their actions. This can look like turning their heads away from the bottle/breast/spoon, spit their food out, or refuse to open their mouth.
2) Because babies are little explorers at this stage, limiting distractions during mealtimes can be helpful! Turning off the TV, putting away your phone, and moving toys out of sight can be helpful ways to reduce distraction.
3) If you have any concerns about your babies weight or eating habits, never hesitate to contact your pediatrician or healthcare provider!
At 10 - 12 months, your baby will be an advanced eater, meaning they've had enough practice with eating to be able to pick up food and use a baby spoon and fork!
1) Babies should still rely on breast milk or formula as their main drink and still do not need salt or sugar added to their foods.
2) While babies can have juice and drink water, sugary drinks in excess (daily or more than once a day) can lead to tooth decay.
3) Continue to prioritize vegetables, whole grains, protein, and iron rich foods. Continue to experiment with the variety of flavors and textures you give your baby.
At this stage, babies only need around 4 breastfeeds or 3-4 formula feedings a day. They are starting to get more of their calories from food and rely on this combination for healthily development.
1) Baby portion sizes can be measured in tablespoons, with the recommended portion size of fruits and vegetables being 8-12 tablespoons a day. Babies also need around 4-8 tablespoons of protein and grains per day.
2) It can be helpful to feed baby at the same time as you, meaning you feed baby three times a day and give snacks throughout the day.
3) When you add all the breastfeedings/formula feedings plus normal mealtimes and snacks, your baby will be eating about 8-9 meals a day!
Because your baby has experience in the eating department, this is a great time to let their independence shine! Encourage baby to feed themselves using their baby utensils or fingers, and only help them when they're struggling.
1) Modeling healthy eating behaviors can start as early as 6 months, so it's good to include a variety of foods into your own diet!
2) Structured family mealtimes as often as possible can help baby create a routine and strengthen bonds. Babies start to form attachments at 8 months old and solid routines with loved ones can help them develop secure attachments.
3) Remember to have grace for yourself and your baby! This is all new to them and might also be totally new to you!
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