When your baby reaches 6 months you can start introducing solid foods. Every baby is different, so there is no way to predict how your baby will accept this new experience; he may need a while to get used to the different textures and tastes, or he may accept them automatically.
Some families struggle with weaning their baby while others find their children happily accepting spoon-fed foods. We’ll explain which foods are best to offer your baby in the coming weeks and months to help him get a good start on his meals.
By the time your baby is six months old, you can theoretically introduce most foods and try new ones very quickly. Here are some foods you might like to start with:
Mashed or well-cooked vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, baby zucchini, broccoli or cauliflower.
Fruit puree such as cooked ripe apple, pear, mango, papaya, or mashed fruit such as ripe avocado or banana
Baby rice or other cereal mixed with your baby's regular milk.
Pureed foods may be easiest for your baby at first, but some babies can handle soft lumps as long as the food is well mashed. Babies also learn to chew soft, lumpy foods quickly, even if they don't have teeth yet.
Once your baby seems happy eating with a spoon, you can increase the number of foods you offer him. Babies, just like us, get bored with the same foods, so instead of just offering fruit purees or cereals, try these:
Pureed or ground meat, fish, and chicken, just make sure to cook the food thoroughly and remove the bones.
Lentils, peas, chickpeas and other legumes, mashed or finely ground.
Full-fat yogurt and soft cheese or custard, but remember not to give your child cow's (or goat's or sheep's) milk as a staple food before he completes his first year. This is because they do not contain sufficient amounts of several nutrients such as iron, proteins, vitamin C and vitamin E.
Strong-flavoured vegetable paste such as peas, cabbage or zucchini
Try as much as possible to provide your child with home-prepared meals. It is better to use jars or ready-to-prepare baby food packages to meet the need instead of relying on them for all of the child’s meals.
Every time you buy packaged foods for your baby, read the label and choose products with the lowest amounts of sugar and salt.