Feeding your baby food for the very first time is an exciting milestone! However, when the time comes, many parents feel a bit nervous and even conflicted about when, how, and what to start with. In recent history, the trends, guidelines, and recommendations have changed drastically, so the advice from your parents and grandparents may conflict with your pediatrician's or peers' advice. I recently came across my mom's baby book that my grandma made to record milestones for my mother when she was a baby. Believe it or not, at just two weeks old, she was given rice and beef-soaked milk in her bottle! In the 1990s, when I was a baby, it was common to introduce food at around four months. Today, the recommendation is to wait until around six months, but most importantly, parents should wait for the baby to start showing signs of readiness.
When it comes to choosing the most nutritious foods for your child's solid starts, the pediatrician's office is not always the best source of information. Most doctors receive just 24 hours of nutrition education in medical school and were likely taught using the food pyramid and outdated studies that often contain conflicts of interest. The first 1,000 days of life are an imperative time to set the foundation for a healthy future, and how you feed your baby can contribute to lifelong health benefits and support a healthy relationship with food from the start.
I’ve been working with mothers for nearly a decade as a birth doula, and in 2021, I became certified as a nutrition consultant so that I could apply my love for food and passion for health to help fill the gap in nutritional guidance for healthy pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
Here are four common myths debunked about starting solids. If you want to learn more about introducing solids and nutrition for babies, sign up for my FREE webinar here and submit your questions.
Myth 1: All Babies Should Start Solids at 6 Months
Truth: Although the current guidelines recommend six months as the appropriate starting age, babies develop on their own timeline. Instead of recommending that a baby start eating at a specific age, it is best to assess the individual child's signs of readiness. One of the most important milestones for a baby to reach before the introduction of solids is sitting upright with minimal support and having a strong ability to hold up their head. This assures that the baby is seated in an aligned, upright position while eating, which reduces the likelihood of choking. Before six months, a baby's digestive system may not be ready to digest food, leaving them susceptible to digestive issues and allergies as a result. Other signs of readiness to look for (in addition to steady sitting) are the integration of the pincer grasp, where babies try reaching for objects between their thumb and pointer finger. Most importantly, we want to be sure the baby is excited and willing to explore food without feeling pressured or forced into taking a bite. Babies who are interested in taking the next "step" will take initiative by leaning forward or grabbing the food placed in front of them. Follow your baby's lead.
Myth 2: Wait to Start Until Baby Has Teeth
Truth: Whether or not a baby has teeth should not be a factor in determining their readiness to start solids. Some babies, like mine, get teeth at just four months old—which occurred before she showed signs of readiness—therefore making it too early to start solids. On the other hand, some babies don't get teeth until their first birthday. Putting off starting solids until then can leave a baby susceptible to iron deficiency and miss important opportunities to introduce allergens in the window of time that may help prevent allergies. Studies have shown that babies who explore flavor between 6 and 12 months are less picky eaters. Plus, when babies use their gums to gnaw on food and their hands to bring food to their mouths, it helps support their dexterity and jaw muscle development.
Myth 3: All Babies Should Start With Purées
Truth: Babies can start solids with purées and/or solid foods.
Both approaches have benefits, which is why I recommend a combination of the two. Starting with purées can definitely feel less nerve-wracking for parents, and one of the benefits of purées is that your baby is likely to actually consume more when spoon-fed, with less mess for you to clean up. However, when we solely spoon-feed purées, we miss out on the benefits of allowing babies to build a relationship with the textures, taste, and feel of whole foods. Contrary to popular belief, there are safe ways to offer your baby solid foods first, which has a myriad of developmental benefits—plus it makes mealtime easier for parents who don’t have to make baby-specific food.
One of the greatest myths of all is that babies eat "baby food." This myth leads to the belief that "kids eat kids' food," when in fact, no matter what age or stage, we should all be eating the same whole, unprocessed, flavorful, and nutritious FOOD.
Myth 4: Babies Can’t Have Any Salt
Truth: Quality salt, in moderation, adds beneficial minerals and flavor to meals.
We have been conditioned to believe that baby food should be bland and flavorless, but I have found that, just like adults, babies prefer flavorful foods. By introducing flavor early, we help to develop their palate. Now, by flavorful, I don’t mean sugary, spicy, or high-sodium foods. Using nutritious cooking spices, bone broth as a base instead of water, and lightly salting makes for healthy meals that can be shared and enjoyed with the entire family.
