Expert advice on introducing solids & the first foods to start with – plus how to prepare them
From delicious fruit and vegetables to family recipes, there’s a whole new world for your little one to explore once they start taking their first bites. Read on to discover our top tips for introducing solids.
How & when should I introduce solids?
You can introduce solid foods into your baby’s diet at around six months old, unless your healthcare professional has told you otherwise. Try to take your time with this, so baby can get used to the different flavours and textures. Food should be fun – and even if baby seems reluctant at first, they’ll soon get the hang of it.
Why does it matter what you give them?
When it comes to introducing solids, focus on vegetables, fruit and simple grains such as baby rice. Scientists now agree that our long-term health is at least partly influenced by how well we eat in the first 1,000 days of life (around the age of two), so good nutrition is the gift you can give your baby every day. When you first start weaning, you should also only start with a teaspoon or so of food.
Which food should my baby try first?
Baby rice has a neutral flavour and soft consistency that’s ideal as a first solid food. You can mix this into their usual milk, so they can get used to the new texture while having a familiar taste. Vegetables and fruit will give them their first taste of real flavour, as well as vital vitamins and nutrients. Avoid the temptation to mask bitter foods with sweet ones.
"There’s a natural preference for sweet food but persevere with vegetables first," says Boots Parenting Club nutritionist Vicky Pennington. "Begin with a tiny spoonful of a single veggie purée, then try another veg and repeat."
And don’t give up too soon – it can take 10 or more attempts before your baby accepts a new taste. Adding a little breastmilk or formula will thin the purée, which your baby may find easier to swallow – plus, it gives them a familiar taste.
Signs baby may be ready to start weaning
There are a couple of signs that suggest your baby may be ready to start weaning:
- They can sit upright and support their own head
- They have good hand eye coordination; they can look at food, reach for it and put it in their mouth without any help
Signs you may mistake as them being ready for weaning
There are a few behaviours that could be mistaken as baby being ready for solids, but they’re not.
These include:
- Chewing on their fist
- Their first tooth coming through
- They seem hungrier, and want more milk
- They’re suddenly refusing to breastfeed
- They're waking up in the night when they previously didn't
- They’re watching you eat
- Their weight gain is slowing down
Which fruits & vegetables are best for baby?
Avocado
Often described as nature’s perfect food, avocados are bursting with essential nutrients and healthy fats. It couldn’t be easier to prepare: simply mash the buttery flesh with a fork or offer slices if you’re doing baby-led weaning.
Broccoli
Packed with vitamin C, steamed florets make a great finger food for little fists – the stalk makes an ideal handle! Or just mash with a fork and a little milk. Broccoli can be quite bitter for new foodies, but give it a go.
Carrots
Rich in vitamin A (from beta-carotene), this humble, sweet tasting vegetable is a winner with most weaning babies. Steam batons for baby-led or dice, steam and mash or blend to make a smooth, delicious purée.
Parsnip
With their sweet, nutty flavour, puréed parsnips are usually a smash hit with babies. They are also a good source of fibre and potassium. Simply peel and steam for 10 minutes before mashing or blending with a little milk.
Sweet potato
This nutritional powerhouse is stuffed with nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin A (from beta-carotene). It’s one of the most versatile veggies: once your baby has mastered single-flavour purées, you can mix it with a variety of other vegetables, fruits and meat. To prepare, simply steam and mash with a fork or blender. But keep a stash of bibs – the vivid pulp is a tough stain to remove!
Bananas
A great source of vitamin B6, bananas are the perfect starter food. Mash with a fork and add a little milk to thin the consistency – they’re easy to prep when you’re out, too.
Feeding your baby ready-made baby food
There are lots of single vegetable and fruit purées available in jars and pouches. Look out for Stage 1 on the label and don’t stress: government guidelines mean that all ready-made baby food contains no added salt or artificial flavouring. That means they’re an ideal option when time is tight or you’re out and about.
Tips for fussy eaters
Sometimes, children can be picky about what food they’ll eat – remember, they’re getting used to lots of new textures and flavours, and you shouldn’t feel discouraged. Continue to introduce them to new foods, but you can try these tips to ease them into solids:
- Give baby similar foods to you and eat with them; this way, they’ll learn by watching you eat
- Give them small portions and praise them for eating, even if it’s only a little
- Patience is key; let them take their time if they’re a slow eater. And, if they don’t like a certain food, don’t force them to eat it, and instead try it again another day. You could also introduce that food in a different way – for example, raw carrot instead of cooked carrot
- Avoid snacking – set a limit of two healthy snacks per day
- Avoid using sweet food as a reward, because they might start to see sweets as good, and vegetables as not
- If you know any other young children that have already been weaned, suggest a playdate with them where they both eat. This way, your baby will be able to learn through watching them
Frequently asked questions
How many times a day should I feed solids to my six-month-old?
Aim to feed baby solids two to three times a day.
How do I start weaning my baby?
Introduce them to vegetables that aren’t very sweet or flavourful, like broccoli, cauliflower or spinach. Try to introduce them to a range of tastes, instead of just sweet ones like carrots or sweet potatoes.
Can I wean a baby at four months?
No, you shouldn’t wean a baby at four months old. Baby should be at least six months old before they’re introduced to solids, unless your healthcare professional has advised you to start weaning sooner.
What are the three stages of weaning?
The stages of weaning are:
- Stage 1: This is when they’re around six months old, and they’re first introduced to solid food
- Stage 2: When they’re around seven months, you can start to add in more textures and flavour combinations
- Stage 3: At around 10 months old, you can start to give them three solid meals a day
