This post contains a list of fruit and veggies to feed your baby when starting solids.
WHAT FRUIT AND VEGGIES
TO FEED YOUR BABY WHEN STARTING SOLIDS?
If your baby is 5-6 months old it’s time to start introducing solid food.
In this post, you’ll find a list of fruits and vegetables you can feed your baby from the start, from 8 months, and then starting at 12 months.
* Please always consult your questions, worries, and decisions with your pediatrician or other healthcare professional. I am simply sharing what I have learned from my healthcare providers and what is recommended here in Belgium. *
Keep in mind that there are different methods when it comes to introducing solids. For the sake of this post, we’ll focus on fruits and vegetables you can feed your baby as a puree.
BASICS
How many times per day should I feed my baby solids when starting out?
When introducing solids you only feed your baby one time per day and breastfeed/bottle feed right after. The rest of the day and nighttime feedings are breastmilk or bottle only. So one solid food meal per day followed by milk plus milk throughout the day/night as usual.
How much (in grams) should my baby eat when starting solids?
Every baby is different, but it might take around 2 weeks for your baby to actually eat a proper amount of puree or to get a little bit used to eating in general. So for the first days, weeks don’t expect your baby to eat a certain amount. Start with small portions, see how your baby does, then aim for around 100g and then build up from there to circa 150g (still making sure to give baby milk to drink right after).
How to prepare baby food when first starting solids?
#1 Fash your hands.
#2 Make sure to wash the fruit/veggies properly with cold water.
#3 Peel them.
#4 Steam, cook or bake in the oven.
Tip: for more flavor, I suggest baking veggies in the oven. Simply cut them up, place them in a baking pan/casserole dish add a bit of water then cover-up. Not only will it give it more flavor but that way it’s not so dried up, it is also not as watery as it would be when cooked.
#5 Mashup with a fork or blend the fruit/veggies into a puree.
#6 Put in a clean dish.
#7 You can use a flat, preferably silicon spoon to feed your baby (seems especially great for when baby starts teething, which can be around the same time as starting solids).
When preparing a veggie puree with potatoes, it’s advised to stick to the ratio of 2/3 being another vegetable and only 1/3 potatoes.
Once your baby gets a little used to the new flavors and textures you can add a bit of oil/butter to the puree.
Should you give your baby water to drink when starting solids?
The short answer is NO. Baby is getting enough water from your milk plus the amount of solids baby eats at first is rather small. You don’t want to fill up your baby’s tummy with water, but rather with something more nutritious – milk and solids.
Fruit
Photo by Elizabeth Compagna from Pexels
Fruit you can introduce from the start:
Kiwi
Lemon
Orange
Starberry
Raspberry
Avocado
All sorts of melons
Apricot
Banana
Blackberry
Prickly Pear
Lychee
Tangerine
Mango
Nectarine
Papaya
Pear
Pepino
Peach
Grapefruit
Plum
Rhubarb
Rambutan
Persimmon
Star Fruit
Fig
Fruit to introduce from 8 months:
Pomegranate
Grenadilla
Passionfruit
Fruit to introduce from 12 months:
Pineapple
Blueberry
Grapes
Cherry
Gooseberry
Physalis
Red Berry
Cranberry
Vegetables
Photo source: pexels-adonyi-gábor
Veggies you can introduce from the start:
Carrots
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Spinach
Tomato
Green Beans
Sweet Potatoe (my son’s favorite!)
Potatoes
Jerusalem artichoke
Endive
Artichoke
Eggplant
Champignon
Chinese cabbage
Zucchini
Peas
Celeriac
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Oyster Mushroom
Parsnip
Parsley Root
Pumpkin
Purslane
Leek
Princess Beans
Turnip
Beetroot
Chard
Haricot
Cress
Fennel
Chicory
Sorrel
Veggies to introduce from 8 months:
Asparagus
Celery
Cucumber
Veggies to introduce from 12 months:
Garlic
Cabbage
Corn
Boy Choy
Pepper
Radish & Black Raddish
Salsify
Snap Pea
Soybean Sprout
Onion
Brussels Sprouts
Mama, this is what’s recommended here in Belgium when it comes to introducing fruit and veggies to baby’s diet. It’s always good to have an overview and also to compare different sources.
Wishing you lots of success when starting solids.
Make sure to enjoy all the funny faces baby makes!
