You spend 9 months, taking every care in the world to ensure that the life growing inside you is protected and taken care of. You ensure that you eat only the best foods, consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and have a balanced diet. Once the baby arrives, you breastfeed as much as possible and after the baby enters the 6th month, you know its time to introduce them to the world of real food! 

But how do you do it?

How do you know your baby is ready for their first bite?

It doesn’t matter whether you are going for traditional weaning methods, or baby led weaning or even a combination, you need to make sure that your baby is actually ready for it. Here are the signs you need to look out for:

• Your baby should be ideally 6 months and above
• Should be able to sit with minimal amount of assistance
• Should have proper control of their head and neck
• Should be bringing their hands, toys and other things to their mouth
• Should be interested in food – trying to reach out and take food from your plate

How do you start?

You need to remember that this is a little person, which means that you can’t start off like you would with an adult. Not only do you need to identify the best starter foods for babies first, you also need to understand how to go about feeding your baby. 

• Start by serving really small portions and do not force feed 
• Remember to offer them variety and include salt as well as healthy fats
• Make sure that you do all this as a family, showing the baby what needs to be done
• Remember to be patient – they are babies after all

And remember to invest in some cute looking organic muslin cotton bibs, which you can put on your baby, every meal time.  

 The top 7 best first food for baby

• Apple puree

Apples are one of the best first fruits for baby and a great way to start babies off on solids, because not only are they easy to digest, but also don’t cause any allergic reactions. Because they are naturally sweet, babies tend to like them. Being rich in dietary fibers, apples can help with stomach disorders and constipation. Peel and core the apples, before steaming and mashing them. 

• Banana puree 

Most babies take an instant liking to banana puree, because of the soft texture and naturally sweet taste. Bananas are rich in potassium, fiber, and vitamins and are a really good way to help babies gain weight. To prepare banana puree, peel a ripe banana and cut into small pieces; you can either use a spoon to mash it or blend in a mixer. Banana puree should be given as soon as it is prepared or else the colour can change.

• Sweet potato puree

Perhaps one of the easiest first veggies for baby has to be the sweet potato, mainly because of its sweet taste. This nutritious root vegetable is a rich source of vitamin A and C, as well as potassium, manganese and fiber. To prepare sweet potato puree you need to peel and cut sweet potatoes and then boil in water for about 10-15 minutes, till it is cooked. Once cool, blend and use! 

• Carrot puree

Another root vegetable, which is one of the best first veggies for baby is the humble carrot, which is high in beta-carotene, which converts in vitamin A in the body. This is essential for great eye sight, skin, hair and liver and can provide fiber as well. You can wash the carrots, peel and steam, before blending into a puree. You can add a pinch of salt and turmeric. 

• Avocado puree

Just half a ripe avocado will be more than enough to prepare a delicious, creamy, first food for your little one. Scoop out the flesh and mash with a fork or use a blender. One of the reasons why you should include avocados in your baby’s diet is because it has several key nutrients that are essential for the growth and development of the brain and central nervous system and can improve the body’s immune system as well. 

• Homemade rice cereal

Instead of those store-bought cereals, you can easily prepare rice cereal at home and that too in bulk. Wash and soak organic brown rice for at least 30 minutes. After this, spread the rice out in the sun and allow it to dry completely, before roasting it. Once cool, you can grind this rice into a fine powder and store in an airtight container. To prepare the cereal, boil half a cup of water and a large spoonful of the rice cereal, while stirring continuously. You can add a small amount of milk, fruit or veggie purees to increase taste and nutrient value. 

• Dal soup 

Considered one of the best first baby foods, dal soup is a good way to introduce solids to your baby. Wash and soak a few spoonfuls of yellow moong. Add the dal in a cooker with a glass full of water, a pinch of salt and turmeric and cook for 2-3 whistles. The cooked dal can be blended and sieved and the consistency can be adjusted. Dal can offer protein and other nutrients, which are essential for a baby’s growth and development. 

At A Toddler Thing, we want to be a part of your parenting journey, bringing you not only some of the best baby products, but also information that you will need. So, whether you are looking for the softest and finest organic cloth diapers or why you should choose to invest in baby muslin clothing, its all here!