Stage 1 baby food: Starting your baby with solids
Is my baby ready to start stage 1?
The AAP recommends that you start to introduce stage 1 baby foods to your child at around 4-6 months old. The most important sign that your baby is ready to start solids is increased oral coordination that allows your baby to swallow actual foods. You should start to see your baby lose the tongue thrust reflex that causes him to push food out of his mouth. Some other signs that your baby might be ready include sitting up well on his own, picking up food on his own, and the ability to chew foods. Be sure to consult your pediatrician before introducing solids for the first time.
What kinds of foods are in stage 1?
Stage 1 baby food should all be single ingredient foods that give your baby a taste of different things. All foods should be pureed and a very thin consistency to prevent your baby from choking. It is important to remember though that breast milk or formula is still the “most important” food for your baby at this time and should be given priority over solids. Some common foods that are first introduced to babies in stage 1 include:
- Rice
- Barley
- Oat
- Apples
- Pears
- Avocados
- Banana
- Butternut Squash
- Sweet Potatoes
- Green Beans
How to introduce new foods to your Baby
The AAP recommends introducing new foods on an allergen schedule, meaning that you only introduce 1 new food at a time once every 3-4 days. After introducing each new food to your child it is important to watch how they react to the new food. Any major changes in your baby after introducing a new food should be watched and brought to a pediatrician immediately. After a couple months of introducing solids to your baby, he or she might be ready to try stage 2 baby foods. To find out more about the next stage check out our article on stage 2 baby foods here.