Tips for Feeding Solids
It’s important to
remember that for the first few weeks of weaning, your baby will rely on
his milk for nutrition and hydration. First foods are designed to
accustom your baby to different tastes and textures, and encourage him
to develop the skills necessary to chew (or gum) foods and swallow them.
First foods should be semi-liquid and almost milk-like in consistency, to make them easy to swallow
Add breastmilk, formula, or a little cooled, boiled tap water to thin the purée if it’s too thick
Serve food at room temperature, or just lukewarm—test a little on the inside of your wrist: you shouldn’t feel it if it’s the right temperature
Thoroughly defrost frozen foods,
and then warm them with a little boiled water, or in the
microwave—carefully stir anything you have microwaved, as it can contain
hot spots
Begin with some vegetables,
which aren’t quite as sweet as fruit—little ones who begin with fruit
tend to resist anything more savory, and can develop a sweet tooth
Root vegetables are a good starter food—try potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips
Strain fruit and vegetables with firmer skins, such as berries or dried fruit, to ensure that they are smooth
Once you’ve established some vegetables, blend together fruit and vegetable purées before going on to the hard stuff: pure fruit purées
Rice cereal is also good, and can be used to thicken purées that are too watery—make sure your baby rice is smooth and creamy
Encourage your baby to try some finger foods
Offer a new food every two or three days, and watch carefully for any signs of a reaction , particularly if your family has food allergies; note them in your foods diary
Best First Foods and Purées
Fruit and vegetable
purées, along with rice cereal and other very finely ground grains, are
ideal first foods. They will not only introduce your baby to different
tastes and textures, but also give her a good boost of nutrients at the
same time.
Start with one-fruit or one-vegetable purées, such as:
Rice cereal
Avocado
Sweet potato
Potato
Carrot
Parsnip
Pumpkin
Apple
Pear
Banana
Apricot
Peach
Papaya
Then try some blends:
Root vegetables (any blend you like)
Carrot and squash
Broccoli and cauliflower
Lima beans and apple
Pea and pear
Lentil, celery, and carrot
Lentil and red pepper
Spinach and potato
Parsnip and potato
Blueberry and melon
Plum and pear
Melon and mango
Papaya and mango
Peach and pear
Banana and apricot
Rice cereal and pear
Strawberry and banana
And when she’s got the hang of it…
Chicken, spinach, and potato
Codfish, potato, and carrots
Chicken and sweet potato
Turkey and broccoli
Mango and strawberry
