Dos and Don'ts of Feeding Your Baby Solid Food
Introducing solid food to babies can be a stressful time for parents—but it doesn’t have to be! Keep these do's and don'ts in mind as you begin to feed solid foods to your future foodie.
Dos and Don'ts for Introducing Solid Foods
Don't Start Too Early
Experts like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) point to six months as the ideal time to introduce solid foods because your baby can sit up without support and has the coordination to chew and swallow safely. As always, it's best to check with your pediatrician if you aren't sure if they're ready.
Do Introduce A Variety of Tastes
The AAP recently introduced a new set of guidelines for feeding your little ones and they are much less restrictive than they have been in the past. It’s safe to mix ingredients and you don’t have to worry about introducing foods in a certain order. Bon appétit!
Do Find the Right Texture
For baby’s first bites, a smooth and simple purée is best. Some of our favorite blends to start with are included in the Farmers Market Baby Bundle.
As your little one starts to adjust and is able to eat without any issues, start serving more complex textures. Think thicker consistencies and a wider range of flavors and spices! This means it's the perfect time to start mashing and serving some of our organic meals. Start with the Organic Meals & Oats Sampler Pack!
Don't Worry If It Seems like They're Not Eating a Lot
Sure, your baby could nurse for 15 minutes at a time, but that doesn’t mean you should expect them to eat eight ounces of food in the beginning. When you first introduce solids, they might only get a tablespoon down. Don't give up!
Do Feed Them Often
The World Health Organization recommends two to three meals a day for infants between 6-8 months. Then it's recommended you increase it to three to four meals a day from 9-24 months while adding in healthy snacks at 12 months.
Don't Give Up If Your Baby Seems Picky
Did you know it can take a baby 10–15 tries of a new food before they accept it? Don’t let an early refusal fool you—they're still just learning about this new flavor and texture.
