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What is the best first food when your baby is starting solids for the first time at 6 months? It may not be what you think. Here are registered dietitian-approved safe and healthy first foods for baby-led weaning - even if your baby has no teeth!
If you're feeding your baby in a conventional approach with purees, your pediatrician will likely tell you to start first with baby rice cereal, then with a single vegetable puree, then add another single vegetable puree, until you get through all the vegetables, then try fruit purees and meat purees, waiting a day to add each new food. At least that's what mine told me. That sounds a little stressful and outdated, no? Well guess what? It is! There's a better way. Read on for the BEST first foods for babies.
Jump to:
- Do I Have To Start With Rice Cereal When Starting Solids?
- What Foods Should I Introduce First With Baby Led Weaning?
- What Are We Looking For In Baby's First Foods?
- Best First Foods for Baby (About 6 Months of Age):
- Tips For Starting Out With First Foods:
- What Does a 6 Month Old's Baby Led Weaning Meal Look Like?
Do I Have To Start With Rice Cereal When Starting Solids?
You actually do NOT have to start with rice cereal, or go in any particular order when starting solids with your little one. There is no reason your baby can't jump right in with various solid foods! But if you aren't starting with rice cereal or purees at all, what DO you start with? If you're starting solids with a baby led weaning approach, your pediatrician may not be very knowledgeable or helpful with baby led weaning. That's why I'm guiding you through which foods to introduce to your baby first with baby led weaning!
What Foods Should I Introduce First With Baby Led Weaning?
Short answer: whatever you're already serving the family! The great thing about baby led waning is that it's SO flexible, so you can start with almost anything as long as it's an appropriate texture and shape, and isn't too high in salt or sugar. In general, it's best to go with whole foods prepared at home. Ideally, that's already what you're making for the family, making it easier for everyone!
What Are We Looking For In Baby's First Foods?
- Appropriate texture and shape. Can you mash it between your thumb and forefinger? Finger shaped is ideal. Read more about the smash test for texture and shape specifics here.
- No added sugar and minimal salt until at least age 1. With salt, I'm a little more flexible (because you can't control everything) but if you can, keep the salt levels lower when cooking at home, and avoid highly processed packaged foods since they are super high in sodium. Babies also just don't need added sugar. In fact, the dietary guidelines recommend avoiding all added sugar until age 2. That means no regular table sugar, honey, maple syrup, or other added sweeteners. Honey also shouldn't be given to infants under 1 year because of the risk of botulism, which can make infants very sick.
- Iron-rich food at least once per day. Starting around 6 months of age, the iron stores your baby received in utero start to deplete, so they need to start getting it from their diet, especially breastfed babies. Ideally you want one at every meal, but for sure at least once per day. (Grab my free download for maximizing baby's iron intake!)
- High fat and high calorie. Infants need every little bit of nutrition they can get from each bite, so adding energy and nutrient rich foods is important. I add lots of foods like avocado, nut butters (just not big globs) and whole milk plain yogurt.
Be sure you are familiar with the safety guidelines to always follow with baby led weaning!
Best First Foods for Baby (About 6 Months of Age):
Beyond the guidelines above, just go for it! Give baby a taste of whatever the family is eating. No need to stick with unflavored steamed vegetables. In fact, spices and herbs are great! I recommendintroducing only one allergen food per day to observe for reactions. Here are some great nutrient rich foods you can start introducing to your little one with baby led weaning. Just remember fruits and vegetables should be cooked to a soft texture and peeled if they aren't soft when raw.
Best Fruits and Veggies For Baby Led Weaning:
- Avocado - sliced or mashed
- Asparagus - cooked soft and tough ends cut off
- Apples - cooked ONLY and with no peel
- Banana
- Beets - cooked soft
- Broccoli - cooked soft
- Carrots - cooked soft
- Cauliflower - cooked soft
- Cucumber - in a big spear until baby has teeth, then grated
- Cantaloupe
- Eggplant - cooked soft
- Green Beans - cooked soft
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Mushrooms - cooked soft
- Oranges or grapefruit - segments only
- Peaches or nectarines - very ripe or cooked soft
- Pears - very ripe or cooked soft
- Peppers - cooked soft
- Peas - gently mashed
- Plums - ripe
- Pineapple
- Pumpkin - cooked soft or canned
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Summer squash or zucchini - cooked soft
- Tomatoes - large slices, no cherry or grape tomatoes!
- Watermelon - (seedless!) a wedge with the rind is just fine and makes for easier gripping
- Winter squash - cooked soft, without skin
Best Protein Foods for Baby Led Weaning:
- Beans - lightly smashed or in the form of hummus
- Chicken - should be moist
- Eggs - scrambled, hard cooked, boiled, or as an omlette or casserole
- Fish or Shrimp
- Ground beef, chicken, pork, or turkey
- Meatballs - roll into a finger shape or cut big meatballs into slices
- Nut butters - spread thinly or stirred into something, with no added sugar
- Soft cheese (I like whole milk mozzarella or ricotta because they're lower in sodium)
- Steak - cut into finger-sized pieces (baby will suck the juices out and leave the rest)
- Turkey - should be moist
- Whole milk yogurt
Best Starchy Carbs For Baby Led Weaning:
- Baby muffins(with no added sugar)
- Oatmeal
- Pancakes or waffles (with no added sugar) - cut into strips
- Pasta - whole wheat or chickpea pasta (chickpea pasta is a good way to add iron and protein)
- Potatoes - wedges or mashed
- Sweet Potatoes - wedges or mashed
- Toast - very lightly toasted (no added sugar bread is a great vehicle for nutrient-dense spreads like nut butter and hummus!)
- Whole grains like quinoa and rice - made into balls with a bit of beans, or made into a porridge.
Ready to get started with baby led weaning? Get my 100 First Foods Checklist and Allergen Checklist Bundle today!
Tips For Starting Out With First Foods:
- Don't get too stressed! It should be fun and a chance for baby to explore tastes and textures. The majority of baby's nutrition is still coming from breast milk or formula, so it's perfectly fine (and normal) if not much food makes it into his or her mouth for the first month or more.
- For feeding puree-like textures (such as yogurt, hummus, nut butter, etc) you can spread a thin layer on very lightly toasted bread, load a soft spoon and hand it to baby, or just let them pick it up off the tray by itself. It WILL get messy, but that's how they learn.
- Slippery foods may be rolled in something to help baby grip it (such as ground flaxseed, hemp seeds, or unsweetened shredded coconut). You can also leave the peel on a portion of the food to act as a grip (such as on half of an avocado slice)
- Flavor is good! Other than salt and sugar, don't be shy to give baby foods flavored how your family eats them. Roasted veggies with herbs and spices, richly flavored sauces, and spiced oatmeal or breakfast porridge are all great ways for baby to explore new tastes. You wouldn't want to eat only plain, bland food every day, would you?
- Feeding baby is much easier when your family cooks at home and makes minimally processed foods. That said, if you know you'll be eating somewhere else that may not have appropriate foods for baby, be prepared to bring a few things baby can eat.
- Tiny bits of leftovers are great for babies starting out! Just a half meatball leftover from last night's dinner could be the perfect lunch for a 6 month old baby. They tend to eat anything at this age, so it really helps cut down on food waste.
What Does a 6 Month Old's Baby Led Weaning Meal Look Like?
Here are a few example meals to give you an idea:
Breakfasts:
- Whole grain waffle spread with peanut butter or yogurt + scrambled egg + soft peaches
- Veggie and egg breakfast casserole cut into thin strips + Kiwi wedge with the peel on
- Thick oatmeal with mashed banana, whole milk yogurt and cinnamon stirred in
Lunches:
- Toast spread with mashed avocado + fresh mozzarella cheese + orange segments
- Chickpea pasta with pasta sauce + soft cooked broccoli florets
- Leftover shredded chicken + hummus + cucumber spear
Dinners:
- Juicy hamburger patty (cut into finger-sized strip) + sliced avocado + sliced tomato cut into strips + sweet potato fry (pictured above)
- Baked salmon + roasted sweet potato wedge + soft cooked green bean
- Grilled juicy steak (finger-sized pieces) + soft asparagus spear + mashed baked potato
More About Baby Led Weaning
- What Is A Palmar Grasp In Baby Led Weaning?
- How To Introduce Cow's Milk To Babies
- When Can Babies Have Cow's Milk?
- What Is A Pincer Grasp?
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Based on the information provided, it seems that the article is about baby-led weaning and the best first foods for babies starting solids at around 6 months of age. Baby-led weaning is an approach to introducing solid foods to babies that involves allowing them to self-feed with appropriate foods in a safe and supportive environment.
What is Baby-Led Weaning?
Baby-led weaning is an approach to introducing solid foods to babies that emphasizes self-feeding and allowing babies to explore and experience a variety of textures and flavors from the very beginning of their solid food journey. Instead of starting with purees and spoon-feeding, baby-led weaning encourages offering babies appropriately prepared whole foods that they can pick up and eat on their own [[1]].
Do I Have to Start with Rice Cereal?
No, you do not have to start with rice cereal when starting solids with your baby. With baby-led weaning, there is no specific order or requirement for introducing foods. You can start with a variety of solid foods that are appropriate in texture and shape for your baby's developmental stage [[1]].
What Foods Should I Introduce First with Baby-Led Weaning?
With baby-led weaning, you can introduce a wide range of foods as long as they are appropriate in texture, shape, and nutritional content. The article suggests that you can start with whatever the family is already eating, as long as the foods are prepared in a way that is safe and suitable for your baby. It is recommended to offer whole foods prepared at home, avoiding added sugar and excessive salt. Some examples of nutrient-rich foods that can be introduced include avocado, cooked vegetables, fruits, protein foods like eggs and meat, and starchy carbs like oatmeal and whole grain pasta [[1]].
What Are We Looking for in Baby's First Foods?
When introducing solid foods to your baby, there are a few things to consider. First, the foods should have an appropriate texture and shape that your baby can handle. You can perform a "smash test" by mashing the food between your thumb and forefinger to check if it is suitable for your baby. Additionally, it is important to avoid added sugar and minimize salt in your baby's diet. Iron-rich foods should be included in their meals, as the iron stores received in utero start to deplete around 6 months of age. Finally, it is recommended to provide foods that are high in fat and calories to support your baby's growth and development [[1]].
What Does a 6-Month-Old's Baby-Led Weaning Meal Look Like?
A 6-month-old's baby-led weaning meal can consist of a variety of foods that are appropriate in texture and shape for their developmental stage. Here are a few examples provided in the article:
- Breakfast: Whole grain waffle spread with peanut butter or yogurt, scrambled egg, and soft peaches.
- Lunch: Toast spread with mashed avocado, fresh mozzarella cheese, and orange segments.
- Dinner: Juicy hamburger patty (cut into finger-sized strips), sliced avocado, sliced tomato cut into strips, and sweet potato fries [[1]].
It is important to note that these are just examples, and the specific meals can vary based on your baby's preferences and dietary needs.
Tips for Starting Out with First Foods
The article also provides some tips for starting out with first foods during baby-led weaning:
- Don't get too stressed and remember that the majority of your baby's nutrition is still coming from breast milk or formula.
- For puree-like textures, you can spread a thin layer on lightly toasted bread or let your baby pick it up from the tray.
- Slippery foods can be rolled in something to help your baby grip them, and leaving the peel on a portion of the food can act as a grip.
- Don't be shy to give your baby flavored foods, as long as they are not high in salt or sugar.
- It is easier to feed your baby when your family cooks at home and prepares minimally processed foods.
- Tiny bits of leftovers can be great for babies starting out, reducing food waste [[1]].
These tips can help make the baby-led weaning experience enjoyable and successful for both you and your baby.
In summary, baby-led weaning is an approach to introducing solid foods to babies that emphasizes self-feeding and exploring a variety of textures and flavors. There is no specific order or requirement for introducing foods, and you can start with a wide range of whole foods that are appropriate for your baby's developmental stage. It is important to consider the texture, shape, and nutritional content of the foods, and to provide a balanced diet that includes iron-rich foods and foods high in fat and calories. Remember to follow safety guidelines and have fun exploring new tastes and textures with your baby [[1]].
