Your baby is now four months old, and that means an exciting new chapter begins: the introduction of the first solid foods! This is the moment when your little one discovers new tastes and further develops their mouth muscles. But how do you know when your baby is ready for this step, and how can you best approach the process? Don't worry, we're happy to offer you some tips!
When do you start with the first bites?
Every baby develops at their own pace, and this also applies to the introduction of solid foods. Some babies are ready for their first bites at four months old, while others only show interest in solid food at six months. The most important thing is not to start too early, but also not too late. Starting too early can overload your baby’s digestive system, while starting too late can make it harder for your baby to adjust to solid food.
Breastfeeding or formula feeding remains the most important source of nutrition until six months of age. The first bites should serve as supplementary food and are meant to introduce your baby to new tastes, not to replace milk feeds.
How do you know if your baby is ready?
There are several signs that indicate your baby is ready for their first bites:
• Sitting upright: Your baby can sit upright without falling over.
• Interest in food: Your baby reaches for food and tries to bring it to their mouth.
• Chewing motions: Even if your baby doesn't have teeth yet, you can see that they make chewing motions.
• Good swallowing: Your baby can swallow well without gagging and drools less.
• Teething: Your baby might be getting their first teeth.
If you recognize some of these signs, it’s time to begin!
How do you start?
It’s important to introduce solid foods slowly. For example, start with a light rice porridge. This is easy to digest, and you can mix it with breast milk or formula, so the taste is familiar to your baby. Begin with a small amount and slowly increase it to thicker porridge as your baby gets used to the new texture.
Another option is to make your own fruit purees. Many parents prefer fresh fruit because it contains more nutrients than ready-made jars. If you're short on time, jars can certainly be convenient, especially when on the go. However, fresh fruit is always preferred.
What can you give your baby?
You can help your baby get used to solid food by offering small bites. For example, try a teaspoon of mashed vegetables or fruit, or a small piece of bread softened by dipping it in breast milk or formula. Finely ground, cooked meat or fish is also an option. Start with foods that have a mild flavor so the transition from milk feeding is smoother.
Suitable fruits to start with include banana, peach, pear, and melon. Soft vegetables like cauliflower, peas, green beans, broccoli, carrots, and pumpkin are also good choices. Make sure the fruit or vegetable is well-pureed so your baby can easily eat it. Once your baby gets used to these tastes, you can offer more variety, such as:
• Vegetables: Sweet potato, beetroot, tomato, zucchini, cauliflower, peas, green beans, broccoli, pumpkin, or carrots. These flavors are often well tolerated.
• Fruits: Apple, pear, banana, kiwi, mandarin, melon, avocado, and peach are popular choices.
Organic First Bites
Organic vegetables and fruits are an excellent choice for baby food because they are grown in a natural and environmentally friendly way, without artificial additives like pesticides and preservatives. This ensures your baby gets pure and healthy food, packed with nutrients and flavor. Moreover, organic ingredients are cultivated with extra care, so they can grow and ripen optimally, contributing to better quality and taste. Strict regulations regarding both organic and baby food also ensure safety and nutritional value, so you can confidently choose organic baby food.
What should you avoid giving as practice bites?
Some foods are less suitable, such as raw meat, raw fish, raw eggs, liverwurst, liver pâté, cheese, and honey. Sweets, such as mixing a cookie into the puree, are also unnecessary. This can cause your baby to develop a preference for sweet foods and make it harder to get used to pure tastes. Moreover, too many sweets can reduce your baby’s appetite for healthy foods, meaning they might not get important nutrients. There is also a risk of food allergies. Would you like to know more about this? Read further about food allergies.
The Importance of Repetition
It’s normal that your baby may not immediately be enthusiastic about a new taste. It takes time for your little one to get used to new textures and flavors. On average, it takes three to four tries before your baby accepts a new food. Don't give up if your baby isn't excited the first time!
The Rapley Method
Another option that is becoming increasingly popular is the Rapley method, where you let your baby discover and eat on their own. This could mean offering your baby pieces of fruit or vegetables so they can grab and taste them themselves. This method encourages independence and helps develop motor skills.
Progress and Variety
As your baby gets used to the first bites, you can slowly introduce variety. For example, add cooked blueberries, or experiment with other fruits or vegetables. After 6-8 months, you can combine vegetable purees with pasta/rice/(sweet) potatoes and meat/fish or a vegetarian alternative (without salt or sugar). For lunch, you can start introducing a slice of whole-grain bread, cut into small pieces or dipped in milk feed.
The Rhythm
Finally, remember that your baby still needs plenty of milk in addition to solid food. It’s important to gradually build the feeding schedule and listen to your baby's signals. This can vary from child to child, so if you're unsure about what your little one needs, always consult an expert, such as your pediatrician or a dietitian.
With patience, love, and joy, you and your baby will explore the wonderful world of flavors and textures. Enjoy this exciting new phase!