Growing Up: Baby “Introducing Solids”

I recently had the pleasure of talking with Hayley Zimak on her podcast, Growing Up: Baby, about introducing solids to your baby. Check out the podcast episode here to listen for yourself.

Considerations for Introducing Solids

Age:

  • Typically around 4-6 months of age

Signs of Readiness:

  • Good head and neck control

  • Can sit up with some support and lean forward

  • Developmentally appropriate motor skills

What to offer:

  • Iron-rich foods: iron fortified cereals, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, tofu, beans, lentils, chickpeas

  • Vitamin C-rich foods: berries, kiwi, mango, citrus fruits, tomato, broccoli, sweet potato, squash

  • Energy-dense foods: sources of fat (oils, butter/margarine/ghee, avocado, nut/seed butters or ground nuts/seeds, grains and starches with added fats

Food Texture:

  • You can start with purees, start with table foods like in baby led weaning (BLW), or a combination of purees and BLW

Food portions:

  • The million dollar question - how much? Start with 1-2 tablespoons of a few foods, but watch your baby. If they are interested in more - give more! If they’ve had enough after one or two bites - end the meal

  • Keep offering a wide variety of foods, but allow baby to explore at their own pace. Try not to focus on how much they are eating but if they are having a good experience

What’s Next?

Reach out to book a one-on-one consultation with me to get your baby started on solids! I’ll work through all of the considerations and provide you with resources and support to help with this phase.