Preview the new Recipes for Growing Me ~9 months edition!

When Should Babies Start Eating Solids?

August 26, 2019

How many times did you make fun of your parents for having the same topics in their conversation over and over? Let me guess, the weather and how fast life goes by? Yikes, I hate to admit it, but now I do the same! The weather—because it affects our daily actions; how long our commute will take; whether we need to water the flowers; shovel the driveway, or more importantly, what clothes do I need to put on my little one(s)? But life does go by fast…and with babies, there can be a new milestone every day! So, how are we supposed to know when they are all of a sudden ready to eat solids? And why would we want to give them solids when everyone talks so much about breastfeeding as the gold standard for health and nutrition?

Rest assured—every baby is different; therefore the timing varies, but thankfully, there has been a lot of research to help guide us when it comes to complementary feedings. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months.* If breastfeeding is not possible during this time, it is recommended to provide infant formula.* It’s important to note there is some flexibility around this—some infants might be a little bit younger when they are ready, while some might be a little bit older (again, everyone is different).

How will you know when your baby is ready?

Here are some developmental signs to look for with your baby (around 6-months-old), as summarized by Marks (2015), Infant and toddler nutrition, Vol 44, No. 12, pp 886-889.*

Good head and neck control
Ability to sit upright when supported
Being interested in food eaten by others
Wanting to put things in their mouth
Appearance of increased appetite – for example, hungry after feeds or demanding more frequent feeds

Tidbit for Your Tiny One

It’s kind of interesting right around the time infants show their readiness to try out new foods, their iron stores start depleting! It seems as though Mother Nature truly works her charm during this time, as there is a risk of iron deficiency from about six to twelve months of age due to the increased growth rate.* Although there isn’t a guide for what foods to start feeding your baby, it is no wonder many experts/parents start with iron-rich foods, such as iron-fortified cereals, meat, and meat alternatives.

blog watch me bloom, recipes for growing me When should babies start eating solids, variety of vegetables broccoli, apple, squash, peach pureed

So what do I do next?

Okay, so let’s say your baby is around 6-months-old and is showing all the signs of being ready to try out solids. What is the best course of action? Remember breastfeeding/formula will be the main source of your baby’s nutrients during this time, but offering iron-rich complementary foods a couple of times a day is a wonderful start to the world of solids. Following that, your baby may enjoy a whole array of new foods (fruits, veggies, legumes, fish)—provided in the recommended consistency for their developmental stage. Keep in mind to introduce one new food approximately every three days, while watching for any reaction and ensure a nice variety for your little one.

Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

Infants will show signs of readiness for new foods (at around 6-months-old)
Iron stores start to deplete during this time due to an increased growth rate
Ensure foods are provided in an appropriate texture for this developmental stage
Gradually increase the foods introduced to your little one to ensure variety

The following recipe poem is an excerpt from our first book Recipes for Growing Me ~6 months:

sample page from recipes for growing me ~6 months, baby's first cookbook, "I is for...iron", character illustration on white background with chicken, peas, lentils, black lettering poem, iron stores deplete

I is for…Iron

Minced meats or mashed beans

Peas and lentils are some

With so many options

This should be fun

Infant cereal can be

A popular first choice

Parents like it because

It is soft and moist

But no matter where my

Source of iron may come from

Ensuring that I have it

Is a wonderful outcome

We hope we’ve contributed something beneficial to your baby’s diet, and remember…don’t hog the blog! Share with new moms today!

Have a bloomin’ day,
Sarah & Karen

—
*Bibliography:
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-food-guide/resources/infant-feeding/nutrition-healthy-term-infants-recommendations-birth-six-months/6-24-months.html

Marks (2015), Infant and toddler nutrition, Vol 44, No. 12, p. 886-889

World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int

--------

P.S. If you’d like to support us, you can buy a book, say hello on Facebook or follow us on Instagram. If you liked this blog, share it with a new mom. Reading this for the first time? Subscribe and receive a complimentary digital download of our Love Me Forever Digital Print from the Recipes for Growing Me series. series.

Bonus: Want to learn more from baby’s first cookbook? Use code BLOGHOG to enjoy 15% OFF your purchase of Recipes for Growing Me ~6 months!

Also in Hello Mama!

Mom feeds her newborn baby from a bottle, baby milestones feeding

Your Baby’s Development Milestones

March 29, 2021 0 Comments

First-time parents watch their infant achieve many milestones beginning with an innate sucking reflex to obtain nourishment; sitting at the table sharing food with their family and feeding themselves—to drinking from a cup! Achieving the milestone seems so far away and somewhat magical. Numerous changes occur during the first year, and it’s amazing to experience this with your little one! We've outlined some of the important milestones that occur during your baby's first year. It is important to note that these milestones are approximations for a typical developing infant.

Curious grandson dressed in blue shorts and sailor shirt getting acquainted with loving grandmother with white hair, sitting together on light grey couch, facing one another

Considerations for Grandparents Watching Baby

February 22, 2021 0 Comments

The importance of children having a relationship with their grandparents is well-documented, as children learn that they have an additional security layer within their family unit. It is also true that early bonding leads to a longer-lasting connection between grandparents and grandchildren. Grandparents bring their own unique set of characteristics to the equation—some might be overly eager to help—others, not so much. Some might come across as pushy, while others can’t wait to have the special moments of cuddling and bonding with their grandchild. No matter the situation, it is essential to establish clear communication and expectations from the start and appreciate that they have agreed or offered to help while also understanding there may be limitations.

Benefits of Letting Your Baby Feed Themselves

January 25, 2021 0 Comments

Many parents wonder whether they should start complementary foods with spoon-feeding or baby-led weaning. A combined approach is beneficial for your baby for a couple of reasons. Initially, spoon-feeding makes sense because it ensures your little one is getting enough daily iron. But, as your infant gets older and the oral cavity develops, they will soon be ready to try different textures. Self-feeding allows infant to develop independence and mutual trust, aids in fine motor skills and sense for feeling, squeezing, and dropping items—and teaches food awareness, developing taste, smell, and temperature appreciation.