First Foods

Let's talk about baby's first foods. There are a few different options when it comes to starting solids with your little one: *The consistency of first foods should mimic the consistency of breast milk or formula. It should be soup like*

The most popular being fortified rice, oatmeal, or barley cereals. You can start these cereals at 4 months, if your baby is showing signs of being ready for solids. These cereals are very easily digested, and are rarely allergens. If you are going to start with iron-fortified cereals, I highly recommend choosing a cereal that is organic, and brown rice (if you are starting with rice cereal). Mix cereal with breast milk or formula.

If you decide not to give your baby commercial cereal, you can make your own cereal. When your baby is 6 months old you can start them on homemade whole grain brown rice cereal or millet cereal. This is what we decided to do. This type of cereal,  known as Super Porridge (from Super Baby Food), is pretty easy to make. Mix with breast milk or formula. Here are the instructions on how to make Super Porridge: http://www.superbabyfood.com/super-porridge-by-super-baby-food-author-ruth-yaron/

Avocado was our little guys first food. Avocado is one of the super foods for babies. It is a great source of unsaturated fatty acids that are necessary for your baby's brain development. Serve mashed ripe avocado mixed with breast milk or formula.

Mashed Banana is another great first food for baby. It's gentle on baby's tummy, and very nutritious. Serve Mashed banana with breast milk or formula.

Cooked Sweet Potato is also a great first food for baby. It is jam packed with vitamin A as well as other essential vitamins for baby. Puree cooked sweet potato and mix with breast milk or formula.

The amount of solids you offer your baby at first really depends on your baby. I gave my little guy 1 oz of avocado mixed with enough breast milk to make it extremely soupy 1 time a day. I never believed that my little one would be able to let me know when he was ready for more food, but he was. Your little ones will let you know when they are still hungry, or want more meals in the day.

Starting solids with your little one is really fun, but don't stress out if your little one doesn't take to solids right away. Every baby is different, and not every baby is ready for solids at 4 months, 6 months, even 8 or 9 months. We started solids at 6 months.

Have fun, and remember to enjoy it, feeding your baby should be fun not stressful!