Baby First Foods - Nothing Fancy!

baby first foods

For baby first foods you should be thinking bland! Nothing A la carte, nor a favourite recipe from your cookbook.

Not very interesting I know, but your baby has been used to taking just milk for the first 6 months of her life. So if you introduce wild and amazing first flavours, she will more than likely spit it right back out at you!

Let's plunge right in and start with some baby rice. Try mixing it with a little of her normal milk - breast or formula. This way she is already used to the taste, and may find it easier to try this new texture. Don't make it too thick or lumpy, it needs to be a smooth consistency or she may start to gag.

Once you have your baby used to a little baby rice, or if she didn't seem too keen on the baby rice, you can start to introduce her to new flavours.

If you are preparing the baby first foods yourself, then all vegetables and fruits should be peeled, and cooked until soft. You can then purée with a hand blender or similar, or push them through a sieve. Majority of these fruits and vegetables once prepared can be frozen.

I used to make a whole batch of foods, at first freezing portions in an ice cube tray. These small cubes are perfect for those first couple of weeks. After that you can buy small pots with lids that are freezer safe. Make sure the food defrosts thoroughly before warming it.

Baby first foods - Ready made

First solid foods for baby can be bought in jars, or packets (these are normally dried and you will mix them with boiled water) These can be single flavours, as well as some lovely little recipes. I personally did use this sort of first food for my babies, as well as making my own. Although you may find that your health visitor will push you to make your own. It will also work out cheaper if you become a baby chef!

Jarred weaning foods are handy if you are going out for the day, or if baby is staying at the grandparents or family's for a night. Do check the shelf life that they have, and never feed to your baby after the eat by date is up!

Baby first foods - What's suitable

Good first solid foods for baby can be:

Potatoe.
Sweet potatoe.
Carrot.
Swede.
Courgettes.
Apple.
Pears.
Banana's.

All of the above is great for first tries. You will find that you baby is willing to eat some of the first foods more than others. After a couple of weeks, you can start to mix two different foods together to make a combo.

As your baby gets older, around 7-8 months, you can start to introduce a little meat into her diet ( you may also be able to introduce one or two very small lumpy pieces into her food) Chicken and turkey are great at this age, make sure they are cooked well. Try not to give your baby processed meats, as these will contain lots of extra salt.

Baby first foods - The 'no go area'

This is a list of foods not suitable for your baby before the age of around 8 months. They could upset her delicate tummy, or cause allergies.

Soft and unpasteurised cheese.
Citrus fruits and exotic fruits.
Gluten foods.
Eggs, and egg products.
Shellfish.
Cows milk should not be given to your baby until she is at least 12 months old.

This is not a complete list, and you should ask your health visitor for leaflets or more information on suitable first foods for your baby.

These weaning foods should not replace your baby's normal milk feeds for a while yet. You will start to notice that as your baby gradually eats more solid foods, she will slow down on the milk consumption. Let your baby set the pace, don't rush to try and wean her from her milk feeds too soon. Even when she is eating 3 solid baby meals a day, she will more than likely still have her morning and night time milk feeds.

Click here to see some baby food recipes for the first few months.

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