10 tips for introducing solid foods to your baby

After breastfeeding, what your baby needs is to gradually introduce solid foods. After about six months of age, your baby will start to need nutrients that breast milk alone cannot provide, particularly concerning the iron deficiency that a growing baby experiences. This deficiency should be prevented with the introduction of solid foods. One of the key signs that your baby is ready to try solid foods is their ability to hold their head up independently and sit with back support. It is very important not to rush this step with your baby and to recognize the right moment when they are ready; you can consult with their pediatrician about this. If parents rush this process, it can lead to slow growth by replacing breast milk or formula too soon, or it may even cause digestive issues like diarrhea. Conversely, it is also crucial not to introduce solid foods to your baby too late, after 7 to 9 months of age. The reasons are that it can cause growth problems, low energy, and also iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia. We have 10 tips to start introducing solid foods to your baby: Be patient; many babies will spit out food at first as they get used to it. Make sure your baby is in a comfortable position and it's mealtime. At first, they will eat very little, so there’s no need to prepare a large amount of food. You should be aware that this will not be a clean process; babies will get messy, so be prepared with some wipes. Do not leave your baby alone during this step; it's important to monitor their movements, whether they want more food, refuse it, and how they're handling the food. If you notice your baby is not interested, don’t worry, don’t force them; try again the next day and so on until you succeed. Start with one flavor and do not change it for several days, so they will gradually get used to all flavors. It is important that the spoon you use is designed for babies; these are made to fit the size and shape of their mouths. Do not season their first foods; it’s important to prepare them without salt, sugar, or any other seasoning that may be unusual to their palate. The first foods should be soft like purees and preferably of a single flavor, such as a carrot puree; later you can introduce other mixes or try a little cereal. During this step of introducing solid foods, parents should encourage learning to drink water from a training cup. To make this stage easier, learn these purees that you can prepare while gradually introducing solid foods to your baby: (it is important to click the recipe title for more details)   Carrot Puree. Carrot puree for babies. This recipe can be replicated with other vegetables. Apple Puree. Apple puree for babies, this recipe can be made with other fruits. Chicken Puree. Homemade puree is much healthier for babies because it is natural and can use 100% organic ingredients. This recipe is very easy and very nutritious for your baby. Pea Puree. This puree is ideal for babies between 4 and 6 months who are starting to eat purees. Peas can be a good choice of vegetable as they have a sweeter taste. Pumpkin Puree. Perfect food for your baby, nutritious and delicious. Chicken and Pear Puree. This chicken and pear puree recipe is an unusual but excellent combination to introduce your baby to new flavors and textures. Roasted Pear and Banana Puree. Delicious puree high in fiber to improve your baby's digestion. Banana and Avocado Puree. A rich banana and avocado puree for the healthy nutrition of our children. Potato, Carrot, and Guava Puree. Tasty puree for babies from 6 months onwards made from potato, carrot, and guava. Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable Puree. This puree is an excellent option to include in the early stages of feeding babies due to the nutritious content of chicken, rice, and vegetables. If you want to know the special section for babies and children, click here