Baby's First Foods


Our guide to baby’s first foods includes

  • making sure baby is ready—three steps

  • what to serve (and what to skip)

  • tips to make mealtimes less stressful for parents

Healthy habits start early and Whole Kids Outreach is here to help every step of the way!


Making sure Baby is ready


Step 1: Check for Signs of Readiness

  • Interest: baby watches you eat, opens mouth for food, leans forward for it?

  • Sitting: baby can sit with a little bit of help?

  • Reach & Grab: baby is able to pick up objects and bring them to mouth?

  • Head Control: baby is able to hold head upright and steady?

If YES to all the above, your baby is ready for some new foods!

Step 2: Provide plenty time on baby’s tummy to strengthen head, neck, and core to get them ready to sit up independently

Step 3: Bring baby to the table often to be a part of mealtimes and to watch you eat - your baby loves watching you and will learn to eat from watching you do it!

What to Serve

 

Good options for beginning foods

  • purees

  • mashed up bananas

  • cooked carrots

  • avocados

  • sweet potatoes

Foods to avoid (if baby less than 1 year old)

  • honey

  • nuts

  • popcorn

  • juice

  • meat with bones

  • foods with lots of sugar

 

Mealtime Less Stressful

for Parents and Kids

  • Make a feeding routine, such as sitting the baby in a highchair, putting on a bib, showing them the bowls/spoons

  • At the end of the day, make a list of things you have in your home that you can give for meals and snacks the next day

  • Put a plastic tablecloth or newspaper under your baby’s highchair for easy clean-up

  • Encourage your baby to learn to feed themselves by offering finger foods

  • Remember that getting messy helps identify new textures, smells, and temperatures, and is important for your baby’s development!

Joan Francioni