Starting solids is a huge milestone for babies and their parents! Watching your baby go from a newborn to an infant capable of sitting up and exploring new tastes and textures is incredible.
Before you dive right in and start offering your little one a bite of your pizza, it's essential to do your research and find healthy foods for your baby to try. It's actually recommended not to give your baby anything with added sugar until they’re two years old!
We know how difficult it can be for new parents when choosing their baby's first foods. Whether you decide to make purees at home or buy some off the shelf, you'll want to make sure you're offering healthy options.
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When Can A Baby Have Solids?
Most babies are ready to start solids around six months, though some may not be ready until a little later. Always check with your doctor before offering your baby any solid food. Your pediatrician will want to make sure that your baby has solid head and neck control before they can start on solids. They can also suggest an appropriate feeding schedule for you to follow.
10 Healthy Baby Foods To Try
Caregivers only want the best for their babies, and finding healthy, nutritious foods when your little one is ready to start solids is essential. That's why we've created this list of 10 healthy foods your baby should try. Let's get started!
#1 Banana
Bananas are a great choice for your baby's first food. They're packed full of potassium and fiber, which are great for your baby's muscles and digestive health. This delicious fruit also contains vitamins C and B6 as well as magnesium. You can mash the banana, puree it with other fruits, or put it in a smoothie for your baby to try.
#2 Blueberries
These tiny, vibrant fruits are a great source of helpful antioxidants and taste amazing! Blueberries are also loaded with potassium and vitamin C, making them a super nutritious choice for a baby's first food. However, you shouldn't give your little one whole blueberries until they're old enough to chew their food correctly.
#3 Meat
Meat is a valuable source of iron, minerals, and protein, all of which are necessary for your baby's development. The iron content is especially important because a lack of iron can cause anemia, which can cause serious health concerns for babies. If you choose meat as one of your baby's first foods, make sure you puree it properly or buy some that are already prepared.
#4 Yogurt
Whole-fat yogurt is an excellent choice for your baby's first food. It's creamy, delicious, easy to eat, and super healthy. Yogurt has tons of beneficial fats, carbs, protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Your baby needs all these things to grow and thrive, so yogurt is a perfect go-to snack for babies.
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#5 Avocados
Avocados are another excellent source of healthy fats for babies. All those healthy unsaturated fats are essential for boosting your baby's brain and overall development. These fruits are delicious, can be pureed with other fruits or veggies, and will still taste great!
#6 Lentils
If you're looking for a cheap and delicious source of protein and fiber for your baby, you should try lentils! They're inexpensive and full of helpful nutrients your baby needs to thrive, such as potassium and folate. Lentils are super easy to simmer and mash with a fork, so they're a great food when you don't have much extra time to prepare something.
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#7 Broccoli
When it comes to vegetables, broccoli is one of the healthiest options for babies. This veggie is super high in nutrients, including vitamins C and K, fiber, iron, and potassium. You can steam the broccoli before pureeing it to neutralize the taste a bit, or you can puree it with other foods to create a fantastic taste experience for your little one. Introducing vegetables early will help avoid your baby from turning into a toddler who won’t touch vegetables!
#8 Prunes
Prunes are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients. They make a great first food for babies because they're nutritious and can help support digestive health. Prunes are also great for bone health, so this is a great food to add to your baby's diet. An apple and prune puree tastes excellent and could become your little one's new favorite food!
#9 Winter Squash
Pumpkin, butternut, and acorn squash are excellent choices for babies' first food. They're rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Winter squashes are also a large source of fiber, vitamins A and C, and many other nutrients. They're super easy to steam or boil and mash-up for your little one, and they have a mild flavor that your little one will love.
#10 Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are great for supporting a healthy heart and will aid in your baby’s overall development. They’re full of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, so they have all plenty of benefits for a growing baby. Like winter squashes, sweet potatoes also have a mild flavor, so they’re a great choice for introducing solids to your baby.
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How to Serve Baby’s First Food
Your baby should be seated safely in their highchair during mealtimes. The best way to serve a baby their first food is by spoon feeding them a room temperature puree or cold yogurt. However, you can let your baby try self-feeding as soon as they're ready to start solids as long as your pediatrician signs off on it.
In that case, you'll want to make sure whatever food you're serving has been cut into appropriately sized pieces. Never leave your baby unattended during mealtimes, and try not to stress about any messes! Babies learn about food by playing with as much as eating it, so let your baby have some fun with their food.
When you’re serving your baby their food, make sure that you stick with the same food for a while being introducing a new one. This will help you determine whether your baby is allergic to something and can help pinpoint related issues.
Try These 10 Healthy Foods For Baby’s First Mealtime
Our list of 10 healthy foods for your baby's first time trying solids includes plenty of fruits and a few veggies. You can combine some of these foods or try one at a time with your little one. Either way, make sure they're safely buckled into their highchair and let them play around with their food a bit. Your baby will have a great time, and so will you!
