26Jun
Generally speaking, infants up to the age of around 6 months remain on a liquid diet, which includes breastfeeding, milk, baby formulas and so on. The diet will also likely include the introduction of very soft or almost liquefied foods around the 6 month mark. Even during the next few months following the age of 6 months, when other food groups are added to the diet, they are usually pureed or very finely mashed to make consumption easier. Generally, it’s not until an infant is close to a year old that more solid forms of food start to be introduced, but even these foods are usually very finely chopped or mashed.
In this baby solid food guide, you’ll discover the best foods to feed an infant or toddler once they are ready to start eating, and enjoying, solid food.
What Are the Best First Baby Foods When It Comes To Solid Food?
When it comes to introducing solid food for a baby, there is quite a bit of variety, depending on the baby’s actual age.
Infant cereals are one of the first solid foods that many parents choose to feed babies once they’ve reached the age of between 6 months to 12 months. Although an infant cereal is not exactly “solid” food in the literal sense, it’s still a step up from breast milk and baby formula and actually has some texture to it.
It’s fine to feed babies of a certain age vegetables and often babies and toddlers are keener to eat their veggies than children who are older and more aware. So long as the vegetables have been well-cooked (generally a little overcooked) to make them really soft. You won’t want to be feeding a baby large chunks of vegetables. Instead, either finely chop them up or mash them up with a potato masher.
Veggies that are great for babies and toddlers include:
- Potato
- Carrot
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Lentils
- Cauliflower
Fruit is fine to feed babies as well. Once again, you’ll want to ensure the fruit is nice and ripe and soft and to either chop it up into tiny pieces or mash it, such as mashed banana. Obviously, avoid any seeds being in the fruit as they can be a choking hazard. Melon is another fruit good for infants and toddlers once all seeds have been removed.
Other soft but solid food groups you can add to your baby’s diet include things like cheese, yogurt and custard. Babies tend to love these food groups and will enjoy eating them regularly.
When it comes to feeding a baby or toddler meat, you’ll want to cook it really well. Minced meats are the best, as they are already finely chopped and will cook up nice and soft, no matter what the meat is. Minced fish, chicken and liver are all safe to eat and full of vital nutrients. Babies also love some nice soft eggs as well.
Cereals, grains and pasta can all be added to the diet after about the 8 month mark. Just ensure that all of these foods are prepared in such a way that they are soft and easily swallowed.
What Not To Feed a Baby Once Solids Are Introduced
What you don’t want to feed a baby or toddler is any hard type of food, such as nuts, or even bigger chunks of meat or vegetables. These can be a choking hazard and should be avoided until the child is a little older. This also goes for food items that are excessively chewy.
In addition, avoiding foods high in salt or sugar content is also highly recommended.
Kids Learn About Nutrition At Endeavour Early Education Centres
When you enrol toddlers and preschool-aged children at an Endeavour Early Education Centre, kids are taught all about good nutrition and healthy eating. They’ll even get to grow, harvest and eat their own vegetables from our centre’s veggie patch.
On-site chefs prepare delicious, healthy meals that kids love to eat, so you can be assured that not only will your child learn about nutrition, they’ll receive nutritious meals throughout the day.
Get in touch today to discover why our centres are a good choice for you and your child.
