What do I need to know to begin introducing foods?
How to do it
Introducing solid foods into your baby's life (and yours) is a big step! As this important transition approaches, many parents feel unprepared and have a head full of questions: When should I start? What should I give first? What are my child's needs and what approach should I take?
Mother Hen has been here! That's why we've prepared a comprehensive and accessible guide to answer your questions. A great way to take your first steps and familiarize yourself with the subject without feeling overwhelmed!
When can I start introducing foods?
As with everything related to early childhood, you know your child best and are the best judge of when to start introducing solid foods. However, here's what we do know: it's crucial not to offer any foods other than milk before 4 months of age. Before this age, babies don't have enough saliva or enzymes to properly digest solids, their kidneys can't tolerate large amounts of protein, and their immune system is still immature, which could increase their risk of developing food allergies.
It's generally suggested to introduce complementary foods to milk around 6 months. There are signs that can help you determine when your child is ready to eat solids; you'll find them in our summary table. How do you know if your baby is ready for solid foods? Keep in mind that even if your baby happily eats new foods, breast milk (or formula) remains their primary source of nutrients until the age of 1: they must therefore continue to drink it!
"The introduction of solids is around 6 months. Some are ready a little before, or a little after. You are their parents: trust yourselves, you will know when your baby is ready!"
How to proceed?
Choose a time free from upheaval in family life to begin this pivotal step: avoid introducing solid foods to a child during a move, a cold, or when they are going through a difficult period. Start by offering small amounts gradually, then adapt to their pace. For example, if they accepted a teaspoon or two on the first day, that's an excellent start! Don't give up: tomorrow they might dare to eat more. Let them listen to their hunger cues and become familiar with this new experience at their own pace.
After a few days or weeks, your child may enjoy two to three meals a day. Around 7 or 8 months, they will start eating regular meals with a wider variety of foods. You can feed and give them drinks on demand until they are 1 year old, before establishing a fixed meal and snack schedule.
Keep in mind that a baby may need several tries before enjoying a new food! Even if they refuse it more than 15 times, don't lose hope, and keep offering it without ever forcing them to eat it. If necessary, take a break from that food and offer it again a few days later to try a new approach. If your baby agrees to touch it or put it in their mouth, show them that it's a positive thing! This is an excellent start for them to become familiar with a food they dislike.
What should I give my child?
Six-month-old babies have high iron requirements, so priority is given to... Meats , poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, tofu, and iron-fortified cereals are all good sources of iron. They don't need to be introduced in a specific order, but to maximize iron intake, it's important to offer these foods at least twice a day. Beyond that, feel free to choose what works best for you! It's perfectly fine to offer a vegetable or fruit in combination with an iron-rich food, since the vitamin C in vegetables and fruits enhances the absorption of this mineral.
There is another golden rule when it comes to introducing solid foods:
Do not offer cow's milk before 9 months, or even 12 months, as infant formula and breast milk are more nutrient-dense and will supplement the baby's diet during the learning phase. Furthermore, cow's milk is very low in iron and high in calcium. Calcium interferes with iron absorption in the baby's digestive system, which is undesirable.
To learn more about the different foods to offer and at what stage to introduce them to your child, consult our chart "Introducing Foods: What to Introduce and in What Order?"