Starting Baby Food

How and when can you start baby food?  First time moms and dads are often a  little nervous about getting started.  The general rule is to wait until your baby is 6 months old.  You will know your baby is ready when your baby:

• Can sit up
• Watches you eat with fascination
• Imitates your eating
• Moves the tongue back and forth & side to side (rather than in a sucking motion)
• Becomes grabby for your food, fork, spoon, etc.

Starting food at 6 months ensures that your baby’s stomach and digestive system is well developed, which means that there is less of a chance that your baby will develop food allergies.   This follows holisitc nutrition guideleines as well as the guidelines set by the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS).  However, contrary to the CPS, I do not believe that hard to digest protiens should be introduced until 10 months of age.  To ensure that allergies do not develop and expose your baby to a wide range of foods, follow my guidelines for food introduction.

This 2-sided checklist comes with a recipe booklet $12

I have a handy checklist to keep on your fridge and guide you through food introduction.  It is $12 for the checklist and a recipe booklet.  Go Here to purchase this product online.  Make sure to inlcude your mailing address.

See these past posts for further information on starting baby food

• The First Time… baby gets real food!
• Food Introduction Rules
• Baby Led Weaning
• Baby’s First Cereals
• Pureeing Fruit
• Veggies for Baby
• Spicy Baby!
• Introducing Meat
• The Deal on Dairy
• The Vegetarian Baby
• Baby’s First Birthday!  Let them eat cake?
• Babies & Nuts
• How much should my baby eat?

For more information and recipes, use the drop down menu on the right side of the home page.  Every recipe and past post is categorized by ingredient, topic and age.

If you have any questions, send an e-mail and I will do my best to help you!