Development looks different for every baby. Some will be talking or walking before you expect such achievements while others may reach these milestones a little later than the rest of the crowd. Both ends of the spectrum can be perfectly normal for healthy growth. The same is true for starting solids. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends “exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months” in their statement on breastfeeding but acknowledges “that for some infants, because of family and medical history, individual developmental status, and/or social and cultural dynamics, complementary feeding, including gluten-containing grains, begins earlier than 6 months of age.”
Baby Food Green Bean Puree (4-6 months)
Ultimately what matters is if your baby is ready and you feel it’s the right time for them to start solids. Your pediatricians may recommend you wait to introduce solids until your child is 6 months old or they may give you the go ahead at 4 months if baby can hold their head up, sit with minimal support and is interested in food.
We are certainly not health professionals, doctors or the parents of YOUR baby. Only YOU know when to start your baby on the path to eating real food and what works for your family. We’re big on following your parental instincts and going with only what you feel is right.
Baby Food Apple Puree (4-6 months)
When you decide it’s time to start solids, you’ll want to introduce new foods one at a time, a few days apart, so if there is an allergic reaction (rash, vomiting or diarrhea) you’ll have an idea who the culprit might be when you call your doctor. Also, it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing commitment. If your little one isn’t interested one day, just try again the next. There’s no need to rush.
Sometimes babies can be particular about texture so you may want to start off with a teaspoon or two of a thin and runny puree for the initial introduction period. From there you can work up to a tablespoon or two of thicker purees. There really isn’t one superior food to start babies on, but you may want to introduce vegetables first since they will already be inclined toward the sweeter taste of fruits. Your first few mealtimes may have your little one wearing more of the food than what gets into their mouth, but that’s where those stacks of bibs come in handy.
Early Start (4-6 Months) Menu PDF Documents
They will look different than our normal Once A Month Meals meal plans. We have them set to a standard amount to feed one baby/toddler. Reach out to us and we will be happy to send these to you as an added benefit for being a member. They don’t scale properly in our system so we don’t have them in our Menu Builder system, so please reach out to us at info@onceamonthmeals. Let us know you would like the Early Start Meal Plan.
Labels
The attached labels will print four to a page and line up with Avery 8168/5168 labels or equivalent.
More questions or ready to move on to the next stage?
To see what we’ve covered in the series already and what’s ahead check the links below!
- Introduction
- How to Prep and Store
- Equipment
- First Foods (6-9 months)
- Help Myself (9-12 months)
- Happy, Healthy Handhelds (12-18 months)
- Big Kids (18+ months)
- Baby/Toddler Gluten Free