Many pediatricians give the green light on starting solids between 4 and 6 months. Graduating from breastmilk or formula to solids is an exciting milestone, and it’s also often filled with many questions.  

Is there a particular order of foods to follow? Is homemade best? What about home delivery services like Yumi baby food?  

This article discusses how to get your child started on solid foods. It also gives insight into what kind of baby food is best for your children.

From Breast Milk or Formula to Solids: Is Your Child Ready to Transition? 

Weaning From Breastfeeding

Many physiological changes happen throughout the first year of life that allow babies to consume foods of varying texture and composition.  

As your baby’s tongue, mouth, and digestive tract mature, they shift from being able to swallow, suckle, and take in liquid foods to being able to chew a wide variety of complementary foods.   

At the same time, babies advance from needing to be fed to feeding themselves. As your child matures, their food and feeding patterns must also change continually.   

 The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months of life for optimal health and wellness.  

Luckily, there are also several high-quality baby formulas that mimic breast milk if you’re unable to or choose not to breastfeed.  

However, remember that every child’s readiness to transition depends on their individual rate of development. Below are the signs to look for to know when your baby is ready for solids: 

●     Sitting up with minimal support

●     Demonstrating good head control

●     Bringing objects to their mouth

●     Grasping at small objects

Between seven to eight months, some babies can drink small amounts of liquid either from their sippy cups or glass when someone holds it for them. Sickness and teething at this age are always a major concern for the parents of babies, and administering medicines can be a challenge. Some parents questions whether it is safe or effective to dilute liquid medicines like Calpol in their child’s favorite juices in order to encourage them to take it. You can find information about the pros and cons of doing this in this useful blog post from Best For Parents (https://bestforparents.co.uk/can-you-put-calpol-in-juice/) that will assist you in making the right decision for your baby.

But make sure to talk to your pediatrician first before weaning your baby, especially when starting solid foods.

Getting Started With Solids

You can introduce solid food to your baby in any order. However, it’s recommended to start with puréed or mashed vegetables and fruits such as avocado, green beans, butternut squash, pear, blueberries, or sweet potatoes.  

These foods provide essential nutrients. But make sure to introduce one new single-ingredient food at a time. Wait a minimum of 3 days before introducing a new food to rule out possible allergic reactions. Remember to go for softer food textures like mashed potatoes and steamed then smashed vegetables.  

As your baby develops their motor skills, they’ll be able to handle other food items, such as finger foods. 

Homemade vs. From the Jar: Which Baby Food Is Best?

Homemade and pre-made, packaged baby food both have some pros and cons. Baby food in a jar offers convenience. But most parents worry about its cost, its preservatives, the process of making it, the possible contaminants, and even the packaging.

For these reasons, some parents opt for the homemade route primarily because homemade food is less expensive and most nutrient-dense. However, here are other considerations:

●     Time: The preparation means extra time spent in the kitchen. Oh, and don’t forget about clean up.

●     Shelf Life: Parents should refrigerate homemade food within two hours to avoid bacteria growth. Food can last up to two days in the fridge. You can also freeze your baby food, and it can last 1-2 months. Use a label to mark down the date.

●     Texture: Food that isn’t mashed thoroughly may be a choking hazard.

●     Safety: Homemade food doesn’t undergo the same safety and quality checks as pre-made foods so it’s up to you as the parent to ensure proper storage.  

So Which Is Better? 

Diana Schnee, MS, RD, CSP, LD., a pediatric dietitian from Cleveland Clinic, suggests that the decision is up to the parents.  

Schnee recommends a combination of homemade and jarred food. Given the recent findings regarding baby foods tainted with dangerous levels of heavy metals, it’s important to choose certified organic, non-GMO options wherever possible.  

Companies like My Serenity Kids, Once Upon A Farm, Yumi, and Little Spoon may be safer alternatives than certain major brands such as Gerber and Beech-Nut.  

If you don’t have time for homemade food, you can still feed your baby with fresh foods that don’t come in a jar.  

For instance, you can steam and smash one fruit or vegetable at a time instead of making purées.  

You can also feed your baby with finely diced fruits, such as pears, peaches, and melons. They’re great, especially for babies with new sets of teeth.  

Note that breast milk contains no dietary fiber, so if your baby is breastfed exclusively for the first six months, you should increase their fiber intake. 

Good sources of dietary fibers aside from fruits and vegetables are whole grain foods and legumes.

Conclusion

Introducing solids can be both exciting and nerve-racking. Go easy on yourself as you figure it all out, especially if you’re a first time parent.  

With a bit of patience and creativity you and your baby can make feeding times both fun and nourishing.  

Remember that every baby is different and just because the pediatrician has cleared you to start solids doesn’t mean you have to start before you and your baby are ready.  Trust in your own intuition and let your baby lead the way.