It’s an exciting step when your child breaks away from the liquid-only diet and tries their first foods. This milestone often begins around six months old, when babies show signs of readiness, like sitting up with support, showing interest in your food, and losing the tongue-thrust reflex. Whether you’re starting with purees or leaning toward baby-led weaning, the key is to keep it simple, safe, and stress-free.
Great first foods to try
- Avocado: Soft, creamy, and full of healthy fats. Mash it up or serve in strips for baby-led feeding.
- Banana: Naturally sweet and easy to digest. Try mashed or cut into small, grippable pieces.
- Steamed Carrots: Cook until soft enough to squish between your fingers. Blend or offer in long, soft spears.
- Oatmeal: Iron-fortified baby oatmeal is gentle on the stomach and easy to customize with pureed fruits.
- Sweet Potato: A fan favorite. Roast, steam, or boil, then mash or serve in soft chunks.
- Peas: Steam and mash or blend with breastmilk/formula for a smooth texture and bright taste.
- Eggs: Once cleared by your pediatrician, scrambled eggs are a protein-packed, allergy-friendly option to try early.
Tips to keep mealtime fun and healthy
- One at a Time: Introduce one new food every 3–5 days to monitor for allergies.
- Follow Baby’s Cues: If they turn their head, close their mouth, or get fussy, mealtime might be over.
- Make a Mess: Let your baby explore food with their hands and mouth. It’s all part of the learning!
- Skip Salt & Sugar: Babies’ kidneys can’t process much sodium yet, and they don’t need added sugar at all.
- Offer Water in a Cup: Small sips with meals help practice swallowing and build cup skills early.
Watching your baby discover flavors, textures, and the joy of food is a beautiful (and often messy!) part of early childhood. Keep your camera handy; you’ll want to remember those first bites, big smiles, and adorable “yuck” faces forever.
