First Foods // Four to Six Months

In the theme of Beginning Solid's with your baby I thought it'd be good to share some great first foods that are age appropriate for a 4-6 month old.

One would think, and I was one until recently, that a baby's first taste needs to be that of the ever elusive boxed baby cereal! Think again! The old days of Pablum and rice cereal please move aside, our kids want some flavour!

Believe it or not, Avocado, Sweet Potatoes, Banana's, Apples, and Pears are great safe digestible alternatives to start your baby with. Mmmm I can see the drool already...literally...Zach never stops drooling. 

Ok, ok, I have to admit though that both Rylee and Zachery's first tastes were Rice Cereal but that's only because I never knew! Next child (theoretically), I promise to let your taste buds go on an adventure with your very first bite. 

For us it's really important to feed our kids organic, local, and non-GMO foods as much as our income allows. And in these beginning months its still pretty affordable, 1 or 2 apples goes a long way with their little tummies. Understandably eating this way is expensive, but I think if you choose to make it a priority in your home and finances you will be able to make it happen. And trust me when I these foods taste better and are most importantly... better for you, and your precious kids!

Just a few reminders though when introducing foods:

// Don't Worry About The Mess //

Kids are messy, you know this, so don't expect them to dine like elite debutantes. Let them poke and squish what they're eating, it will let them discover food with all their senses. It's not uncommon in our household to put on "messy" clothes or remove clothes entirely when its meal time (unless we're going out, of course)... I'm sorry I'll save myself the money & grief of freaking out over that squished blueberry or spaghetti sauce flung all over those overpriced (but totally adorable) kids clothes. In the meantime, moms/dads it's time to add a Tide-To-Go pen to the diaper bag.

// Nurse or Bottle Feed First //

Your breast milk or formula provide total nutrition for the first year and is packed full of essential vitamins, iron, protein, antibodies, that solid food just can't replace. So continue with your normal feeding and then give your child 1-2 tsp. of pureed baby food, your babe will let you know when he/she is full by refusing to open their mouth or by turning their head away.

// Four Day Rule //

When introducing new foods its important to do it one at a time and wait at least a couple days before starting another. Four days is the safest time to wait, in those four days your watching for any allergic reactions. Things to watch out for are those lovely things like diarrhea, vomiting, rash... if any such things occur stop feeding that food and consult your doctor or pediatrician!

// Variety, Variety, Variety //

Your baby will have its own preference, just like you and I, but nevertheless you should offer a variety of different foods. One reason is so they get a variety of different nutrients; and another because their tastes are evolving and you don't want to limit them just to your tastes. Be adventurous and give them the chance to taste the smorgasbord of flavor this world has to offer. And don't be disappointed if they don't like something, give it a week and try again, babies tastes change frequently. For example, Rylee hated peas...like I'm talking gag reflex the instant they touched her mouth... now she doesn't have a problem with them. So if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

Here are a list of some safe first foods for your 4 to 6 month old

Is Your Child Is Ready For Solids?

So it begins, Zachery is at the point in his little life where we can begin introducing solids to his diet!

I've read a lot in the past on when and how to begin this journey with your babe, but let me just say, I am in no ways a professional in this area, and this advice is based on a baby with "normal" dietary needs/development.

Introducing solids to a baby's diet is a lot of fun and doesn't have to be stressful or confusing, however, it will be messy... I assure that! I just love this phase, and I love that I can regain a bit of my freedom back but still provide my kids with good healthy food. And umm the look on their face every time they try something new is pretty priceless.

With Rylee and Zachery I started them on organic whole grain rice cereal at 4 months. The recommended age is 4-6 months, and yes I am fully aware that a baby can be nutritionally sustained completely from breast milk and/or formula for their whole first year...but in all honesty, I'm not that patient. Now don't get me wrong I'm not rushing my kids or bunging up their digestive system because of my impatience, rather I watch them for hunger cues that even the professionals tell us parents to look out for. These cues show us pretty spot on when our babes are ready to begin gobbling up solid foods (when we choose to do so is completely up to us as parents, so if you choose to nurse for a year or start out of necessity or just because at 4, 6, 10 months I will not judge you but say, "right on mom/dad, your doing a great job!)

So these are the signs I look for to tell if my kids are ready jump on the solid food train:

// Loss of the Tongue-Thrust Reflex //  

You will know whether your babe has lost this reflex by trial and error or by the testing of a spoon. If something goes in and immediately comes back out...sorry your little one just isn't quite ready yet. This reflex is so important, not only is it beneficial for their sucking back liquids but it protects them against choking, this is a cue not to ignore!

// Interested in What Your Eating //

Obviously when you get into the 4-6 month stage of a babies life they get really curious, but I'm telling you there is a point when your trying to eat something and your babe can't take their eyes off your plate, fork, mouth...they follow your every. single. move. and then soon following an attempt to grab it from you.

// Doubled Birth Weight //

// Growing Appetite //

Given your babe will go through growth spurts and you'll have times of cluster feedings but apart from those times you notice your feeding way more than normal and your little one just isn't content...chances are he/she needs a little more substance.

//Ability to Sit Up & Turn Head //

This is pretty crucial, you want your baby to be able to sit up (with support) and have stable neck support so that they are able to swallow well. Also the ability to turn their head away from the breast or spoon helps for you to read their "fullness" cue. We as parents would just feed until the serving is gone but believe it or not these little ones have a built in ability to self-regulate their food consumption, except apart from us they don't ignore it.