Next steps in baby’s solid foods adventure

Next steps in baby’s solid foods adventure

Next steps in baby’s solid foods adventure

6 to 8 months baby
Article
Aug 15, 2024
2 mins

Now that you’ve introduced baby to some new tastes and textures, you can start broadening their taste buds even further by offering a variety of healthy solid foods.

  • Let your baby set the pace. Every child is different, and you’ll be able to see what works best for your little food explorer.
  • Progress from single-ingredient purées to different textures and richer flavours to broaden your baby’s taste.
  • Cook the same ingredients in different ways to learn what your baby’s preferences are.
  • Baby see baby do, so be a good role model and let baby join in with family meals. Watching the family will pique their curiosity and interest in foods.
  • Watch out for allergies. Common food allergens include: milk (and milk products); egg; peanut; tree nuts (e.g. almonds, cashews, walnuts); soy; seafood (e.g. fish, shellfish, crustaceans); wheat; sesame.
  • Read up on what you should consider when it comes to baby food allergies vs intolerances
  • Variety is key. Focus on iron-rich foods and include all of the main food groups: dairy (always full-fat and pasteurized), grains and starches (rice, pasta, potatoes), protein foods (meat, fish, eggs, and legumes. Also nuts—crushed, ground, or as a smooth butter), fruit and veggies (fresh, frozen or canned, but no added sugar or salt).
  • Don’t give up! You may need to offer your baby new foods and textures up to ten times before he enjoys them.
  • Try to avoid salty and sugary foods, foods high in saturated fat, low-fat foods, raw fish, foods that are choking hazards - like whole nuts, grapes, and sticky foods, and honey for babies under 1 year of age.
  • Remember, breast milk and/or formula are still the main source of nutrition in baby’s first year.

Sources

Health Canada, Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada, & Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (2014) Nutrition for healthy term infants: Recommendations from six to 24 months. Accessed September 2020.

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