• Home
  • Ages
    • 6-12 month olds
    • 1-2 year olds
    • 2-4 year olds
  • The Science
    • Energy
    • Macronutrients
      • Carbohydrates
      • Protein
      • Fats
    • Micronutrients
      • Minerals
      • Vitamins
    • Hydration
    • Hygiene and safety
    • Food groups
      • Fruit
      • Vegetables
      • Grains
      • Fats and oils
      • Protein
      • Dairy
      • Daily requirements
      • Portion sizes
  • Meal Plans
    • 6 month old meal plan
    • 7 month old meal plan
    • 8 month old meal plan
    • 9 month old meal plan
    • 10 month old meal plan
    • 11 month old meal plan
    • 1 year old meal plan
  • Recipes
    • 6 month old recipes
    • 7 month old recipes
    • 8 month old recipes
    • 9 month old recipes
    • 10 month old recipes
    • 11 month old recipes
    • 1 year old recipes
    • Toddler Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Shop

Mobile Menu

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Creative Nourish

Growing Healthy

  • Home
  • Ages
    • 6-12 month olds
    • 1-2 year olds
    • 2-4 year olds
  • The Science
    • Energy
    • Macronutrients
      • Carbohydrates
      • Protein
      • Fats
    • Micronutrients
      • Minerals
      • Vitamins
    • Hydration
    • Hygiene and safety
    • Food groups
      • Fruit
      • Vegetables
      • Grains
      • Fats and oils
      • Protein
      • Dairy
      • Daily requirements
      • Portion sizes
  • Meal Plans
    • 6 month old meal plan
    • 7 month old meal plan
    • 8 month old meal plan
    • 9 month old meal plan
    • 10 month old meal plan
    • 11 month old meal plan
    • 1 year old meal plan
  • Recipes
    • 6 month old recipes
    • 7 month old recipes
    • 8 month old recipes
    • 9 month old recipes
    • 10 month old recipes
    • 11 month old recipes
    • 1 year old recipes
    • Toddler Recipes
  • Blog
  • About
  • Shop
You are here: Home / Blog / 10 First Foods To Start Weaning Your Baby

10 First Foods To Start Weaning Your Baby

Whether you’ve decided to start your baby on purees, or have the courage that I never had to do baby-led weaning, this list of 10 best first foods will have you on top of your baby’s nutrition in no time.

baby's first foods

Baby’s First Foods

Your baby has reached that stage when they’re ready to start solids. Yaaay! But you’re probably wondering how, when and in what order to introduce foods and in what way to serve them.

And it’s a genuine concern. You’re being bombarded with loads and loads of different information which seems to be changing each time you open your browser.

But don’t you worry. I’m here to help you with a list of the 10 best baby foods to start with that will cover your meals for a whole month.

When Can My Baby Start Solid Food?

The science says between 4 and 6 months of age, or rather between 17 and 34 weeks. In reality you’ll need to watch your baby for signs of readiness to taste their first foods.

The number 1 sign of readiness is when your child starts actually showing an interest in food.

But there are also a number of physiological signs to keep an eye out for.

Physiological Signs Of Readiness

  • Mouthing hands and toys
  • Asking to be fed much more regularly
  • Ability to sit-up straight in a high chair (or with minimal support)
  • Good head and neck control
  • Able to (partially) close lips over a spoon
  • Diminished tongue thrust reflex
  • Reaching for your food when you are eating

If you’re answering yes to some of the signs of readiness and no to others you can feel free to wait a bit longer if you prefer. It’s no big deal. Breastmilk and/or formula can safely remain their only source of nutrition.

But if you’re answering yes to all, then by all means go for it. And keep on reading.

How to Serve My Baby’s First Foods?

Let’s start by distinguishing between the different ways you can serve your baby’s first foods:

  1. Purees
  2. Baby-led weaning
  3. Combination

But how can you know which is the right one to choose?

Well, let me tell you a secret. There isn’t one right decision. There’s only the right decision for you.

How you feed your baby ultimately depends on what you’re comfortable with.

There is no scientific evidence that indicates that starting with one kind is better than another (e.g. BLW vs. purees). You can read more here in our Starting Solids – Ultimate Guide to learn more about the pros and cons of both methods.

What to Serve as First Foods to My Baby?

This is where it get’s really fun. 🙂

Believe it or not, you can pretty much serve anything you want. Just avoid foods listed in our Starting Solids Guide under “What To Avoid”.

If you would nevertheless like some guidance on what are the easiest, most nutritious first foods, keep on reading the list below.

In alphabetical order, my 10 best baby’s first foods:

  • Avocado
  • Apple
  • Banana
  • Carrot
  • Chicken leg
  • Millet
  • Oats
  • Pear
  • Salmon
  • Sweet Potato

If you are looking to start exclusively with purees please read this:

  • 6 Stage 1 Baby Purees to Start With
  • 6 Uncommon Stage 2 Baby Food Purees to Introduce Textures

10 Best First Foods for Babies

Baby’s First Food #1: Avocado

Avocado is the very first food I gave to my son when he started solids, for a number of reasons.

For start it is full of energy and healthy fats which meant that 1 or 2 teaspoons could have a nutritional equivalent of a cup of another fruit or vegetable.

The second reason was the fact that is has a kind of bland and neutral taste which meant that he wouldn’t get too used to it and probably wouldn’t refuse any foods I introduced after that. And I was right.

Banana Avocado Baby Puree

Banana Avocado Puree 18

Baby’s First Food #2: Apple

Apples are one of the most consumed foods throughout the world and are pretty much available fresh the whole year round so they make a really good first food for any baby.

The fun part is that you can also use the water in which the apples were cooked prior to serving to your baby (or steamed) and cool it for a nice drink for your baby especially if they’re not to keen on drinking water.

Apple Sweet Potato Baby Puree

Apple Sweet Potato BABY Puree 15
Apple Sweet Potato BABY Puree 15

Baby’s First Food #3: Banana

Banana is one of the first foods I recommend that you introduce into your baby’s diet.

It’s perfect for both purees and baby-led weaning and is pretty much a food you can mix with almost any other to enhance the taste and texture of a meal.

I cannot tell you enough how much banana saved me in those first few months when I was mixing and matching food into purees trying to make them both nutritious and delicious.

Mini Banana Pancakes

Banana Chia Pancakes Mini
Banana Chia Pancakes Mini

Baby’s First Food #4: Carrot

Although it might not look like it, carrots are also a great first food for babies. They’re filled with great nutrients, especially vitamin A and carotenoids.

They also have a nice creamy texture and subtle sweet taste which makes them a great addition to any savory first meal.

Chicken-Carrot Mash

6 month old recipe Chicken Carrot Mash
chicken carrot mash

Baby’s First Food #5: Chicken Leg

Chicken is the first meat I gave to my son when he was 6 months of age. And chicken leg rather then the white meat.

This is because dark poultry meat contains more fats and calories which are important for your baby’s growth and development.

Dark poultry meat also has a more savory taste and is not so dry as white meat.

Chicken Broccoli Millet

8 month old recipe Chicken Broccoli Millet
baby led weaning foods

Baby’s First Food #6: Millet

Millet is probably the least allergenic grain and is really easy to prepare for various meals which is one of the reasons I love it so much.

Rice has been known to accumulate a lot of arsenic so in those first few months of your baby eating solids I recommend using millet in meals in which you would normally use rice.

I even make some millet risottos, puddings and porridges instead of rice ones.

Forest Fruit Millet

Forest Fruit Millet 2
Forest Fruit Millet 1

Baby’s First Food #7: Oats

Oats are my favorite grain of all time. And it was the first one I gave to my son.

Probably because oatmeal is one of my husband’s and my favorite breakfast so we really wanted our son to share that love with us. And it was love at first sight. 😀

I also love oats as a first food because you can use it in healthy baby recipes like bread, pancakes, or cakes that are ideal for baby-led weaning or as a transition from purees to finger food.

Banana Spinach Pancakes

spinach pancakes
Banana Spinach Pancakes 2

Baby’s First Food #8: Pear

Pear is a fruit I highly recommend you include as your baby’s first foods because of it’s “anti-constipation” properties.

Babies’ digestive systems are not fully developed by the time they start solids and new solid food can lead to some constipation issues. Not always, but it’s certainly not uncommon.

And pear is one of those foods that can help out in those situations. Not to mention that it’s also delicious, sweet, with a creamy texture and full of nutrients.

Buckwheat Pear

buckwheat pear puree
buckwheat pear puree

Baby’s First Food #9: Salmon

Salmon is THE fish you’d want to include in your baby’s first foods list. It’s one of those rare foods that naturally has omega-3 fatty acids which are easily absorbed.

Babies are in need of those beneficial fatty acids as they are an important factor for brain growth and development.

It also has other healthy fats and lots of calories which additionally helps your baby’s growth and development even in small servings.

Salmon Spinach Pasta

Salmon Spinach Pasta 1
Salmon Spinach Pasta 18

Baby’s First Food #10: Sweet Potato

Sweet potato has always been a classic in our home. Whether you want it as a puree, baked in the oven or an ingredient in pies or cakes, sweet potato is always a good addition.

Like carrots it’s full of carotenoids and vitamin A.

Its creamy texture makes it a great addition into purees (single or mixed first foods) or as baked fries.

I also love how its sweet taste can slightly enhance savory meals and also make sweets taste better.

Sweet Potato Fruit Pudding

10 month old recipe sweet potato fruit pudding
Sweet Potato Fruit Pudding

Final Thought

So really whichever method your choose to start your baby on solids and whichever foods you choose as your baby’s first foods, make sure you can easily mix’n’match them later.

You’d also want to choose foods that are easily available and can be prepared quickly into simple first baby meals that they’ll love.

More Baby’s First Food Articles:

  • 6 Stage 1 Baby Food Purees To Start With
  • 5 Baby Food Purees That Relieve Constipation
  • Finger Food Ideas For Babies And Toddlers
  • Baby And Toddler Feeding Schedule
  • The Different Stages Of Baby Food
Please follow and like us:
error
fb-share-icon
Tweet
fb-share-icon

More like this

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

sustainable gift ideas for toddlers for christmas

30 Wooden Gifts Ideas for Toddlers This Christmas

Halloween Candy

How to Handle Halloween Candy the Stress-Free Way

vegetable filled lunches

9 Easy & Delicious Vegetable Lunches

banana chia pancakes

The Ultimate List Of Calorie-Dense Foods

yogurt for baby

The Best Yogurt For Your Baby Or Toddler

stage 2 baby purees

6 Uncommon Stage-2 Baby Food Purees To Introduce Textures

silicone

Why Silicone is Your Baby’s and Your’s New Favorite Material

25 Homemade Baby food recipes

25 Healthy Easy Homemade Baby Food Recipes

baby led weaning foods

79 Baby Led Weaning Foods To Start With

healthy toddler snack ideas on-the-go

15 Healthy Toddler Snacks To Take On the Go

healthy snacks for toddler

Healthy Snack Ideas For Kids And Toddlers

healthy finger foods list for babies and toddlers

Finger Food Ideas For Babies And Toddlers

See more of our nutritionist created meal plans

6 month old meal plan

6 Month Old Meal Plan

7 month old meal plan

7 Month Old Meal Plan

8 month old meal plan

8 Month Old Meal Plan

9 month old meal plan

9 Month Old Meal Plan

10 month old meal plan

10 Month Old Meal Plan

11 month old meal plan

11 Month Old Meal Plan

1 year old meal plan

1 Year Old Meal Plan

Our Favorite Stuff

  • Kitchen Aid Mixer KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield
  • KEEDO FEEDO KIDDO FEEDO Freezer Tray
  • OXO Storage OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers
  • Pyrex Glass Storage Bowls Pyrex Glass Storage Bowls
  • BEABA Blender BEABA Babycook 4 in 1 Steam Cooker & Blender
Previous Post: «Banana Puree The Most Delicious Banana Baby Puree
Next Post: How To Make The Most Delicious Strawberry Baby Puree Strawberry Baby Puree»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Recent Posts

healthy chocolate chip cookies

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

January 15, 2021

Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Fajitas

January 5, 2021

1 piece of yoghurt cake with icing sugar

Healthy Yogurt Fruit Cake

January 1, 2021

Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake with cut out

Vegan Chocolate Cake

December 22, 2020

Footer

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Tags

allergens allergies apple baby-led weaning babyledweaning birthday bread breakfast candy christmas cravings dairy-free dessert dinner family meals fish gluten gluten-free guide halloween health iron lunch meal plan meat muffin nut-free nuts on-the-go pasta puree purees smoothie snack snacks spread. starting solids sweets thanksgiving toddler toddler food toys vegan vegetable cake vegetarian
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 Creative Nourish · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme