Introducing solids: Best first foods and foods to avoid

There are many health professionals that suggest introducing solids to a baby that is younger than six months old.

Bumbles™ rather encourages moms to watch for the weaning window (which is usually between five and six months) and then gradually start to introduce solids. The reason for this is that your baby’s digestive system isn’t fully mature before this age and foreign proteins may increase the likelihood of food allergies.

The minimum age for introducing solids is 17 weeks

Bumbles™ Best First Foods

The “first tastes” that you introduce to your baby are more a learning experience than a nutritional necessity. It’s about getting baby exploring more than eating.

We like to offer foods that are easy to digest and low-allergenic such as steamed root vegetables like carrot, parsnip and sweet potato. These veggies are also naturally sweet and make a lovely smooth purée.

If your chosen weaning method is “Baby Led Weaning”, start by cutting small pieces that your baby can pick up using the “pincer action”, but is still soft enough that it will “melt” in his mouth.

Your baby’s first tastes are about exploring more than eating

Best first fruits include:

• Apple (Pink Lady or Golden Delicious)
• Banana
• Pear
• Papaya
• Avocado
• Mango
• Peach

Best first veggies include:

• Carrot
• Butternut Squash
• Gem Squash
• Parsnip
• Pumpkin
• Peas
• Sweet Potato

When introducing a new food, allow three to four days before bringing something new to their diet. This is so it’s easily identifiable should there be any allergic reaction or digestive discomfort.

Introducing Grains

You will hear a lot about baby rice. If you are going to buy a cereal of some kind, try choosing or starting with a gluten-free range.

Bumbles™ loves Quinoa (pronounced keen-wha). Quinoa is a seed that’s naturally high in complete protein. It is gentle on their little tummies and helps to replace the protein that otherwise gets “lost” when babies gradually start to drop milk feeds during weaning.

Quinoa is a complete protein and contains:

• All nine essential amino acids.
• Has a protein content of between 12 and 18%.
• It is high in lysine, an amino acid important for tissue growth and repair. Lysine also helps boost the body’s calcium absorption, building strong bones.
• Quinoa is also high in fibre and iron (50% more fibre than brown rice).
• It is naturally gluten-free, making it easy for babies to digest but also has a low glycaemia index – meaning baby will digest it slowly and it will keep them feeling full for longer.

Quinoa also a natural source of Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium and Copper.

Stick to gluten-free cereals

Foods To Avoid

1. Salt

Babies under one year should not have any salt as it can strain immature kidneys and cause dehydration. Also avoid smoked foods.

2. Sugar

Unless food is really tart, DON’T ADD SUGAR. Adding sugar is habit-forming and increases the risk of tooth decay.

3. Gluten

Foods containing gluten (such as wheat, oats, barley and rye) should not be introduced before six months. When buying baby cereals and rusks before six months, make sure that they are gluten-free.

4. Unpasteurised cheese

No Brie, Camembert or Blue Cheese before 12 months due to the risk of Listeria infection.

5. Eggs

Eggs should not be given before six months, afterwards though ensure yolk and white are cooked solid.

6. Shellfish

This should not be given until at least 12 months old due to the risk of food poisoning and potential allergy.

7. Nuts

Chopped and whole nuts are not recommended due to the risk of choking but also because of the risk of your baby developing an allergic reaction.

8. Honey

Honey should not be given before one year, as it contains a type of bacteria that can result in a potentially serious illness called “infant botulism”.

About the Author: For more information on informative weaning and introducing your baby onto solid foods, contact Bumbles™ Cookery Club.

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Bumbles Cookery Club

The Bumbles™ Cookery Club offers detailed workshops for each vital stage of the weaning process, as well a support and social group for moms to enjoy.

Our goal is to guide and assist moms, and dads, through the different weaning stages and to understand and learn the importance of each stage, when to introduce each food group and how to create delicious, nutritionally balanced meals not only for your little one but for the whole family.

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