Starting solids
Starting solids is fun and exciting, but it can also be scary. Let’s dive into the most common questions about starting solids.
The first question I hear is whether to do baby-led weaning or purees. This is where there is some confusion. Baby-led weaning (BLW) isn’t against purees, it’s focused on baby’s autonomy. Purees and soft foods are a normal part of our diet- applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt and more. There is nothing wrong with purees. What BLW is focused on is allowing the baby to choose- what to eat, how much, when to stop, etc. It’s about allowing intuitive eating, letting your baby set the pace. BLW really isn’t about what type of food but who gets to control the food. When offering purees/soft foods with BLW you have multiple options- you can give baby a loaded spoon, a bowl of the food or even just some of the food on the table or high chair tray.
Another common question is what about allergies? If you don’t have family allergies, then introducing all the top 9 allergens between 6-9 months is a great idea. These allergens are:
Peanuts
Tree Nuts (really a big category)
Gluten
Dairy
Soy
Eggs
Shellfish
Fish
Sesame
There are many ways to get these foods into baby’s diet. Regular and repeated exposure is the best defence against allergies. Now, if you have family allergies, meeting with an allergist might be best before starting these high risk foods. Also I generally recommend the first time baby has a top allergen to be in the morning, on a weekday. Reactions are scary enough without the stress of it being 10 pm on a Saturday night.
I also often hear about gagging and choking. Gagging is a protective response. The throat blocks off the airway to keep food from being able to get into the lungs. Gagging isnt dangerous and baby will learn how to eat without gagging themselves. Choking can be dangerous and can require help. For this reason I recommend taking an Infant & Child CPR class for all adults who will be taking care of baby.
Lastly parents ask what to feed their baby. Generally, I recommend getting baby to eat the same foods you do, and focusing on nutrient density and variety. You start with individual ingredients and then soon it turns into a meal. For example, baby has plain oatmeal (maybe with oatmilk) day 1, then next day has oatmeal and bananas, then the next day has oatmeal, bananas and almond butter mixed in. Each day you can add a new ingredient and soon your baby will have a varied and wonderful diet too!
Starting solids can seem scary and overwhelming. If interested, schedule a starting solids visit and we will get you all set!