Starting solids with your baby is a big milestone in their development and a major step in their journey to becoming an independent eater.
With so many options for baby food on the market, it can be overwhelming for new parents to know what to feed their little ones and when to start.
In this article, I’ll break down key things you need to know about Stage 1 baby food and guide you through the process of starting solids.
What is Stage 1 Baby Food?
Stage 1 baby food is the first stage in the transition from exclusively breastfeeding, formula feeding, or combination feeding. (If you like this post, my post on combo feeding and weaning when introducing foods may be helpful.)
It is designed for babies who are just starting to eat solid foods and is typically pureed or mashed, making it easy for babies to digest.
Foods can include fruits, veggies, grains, and even pureed meats.
When Does Start Stage 1 Baby Food Start? (Signs to Look For)
It is recommended to start solids when your baby is around six months old when they are ready to start exploring new tastes and textures.
You should always check with your pediatrician to determine if your baby is ready for solids, as every baby develops at their own pace.
Some signs that your baby may be ready for Stage 1 baby food include:
- They can sit up with support and have good head and neck control
- They are reaching for food and showing an interest in what you’re eating
- They are able to open their mouth and lean forward when offered a spoon
- They have doubled their birth weight and are around 6 months old
If your baby shows these signs, it’s a good indication that they are ready to start solid foods.
It’s important to remember that every baby is different and that there is no specific timeline for starting solids.
If you have any concerns, it’s always best to speak with your pediatrician.
What Stage 1 Baby Food is Best to Start With?
When starting solids, it’s important to choose simple, single-ingredient foods to start.
This will also help you determine if your baby has any allergies or sensitivities to certain foods.
Some of the best foods to start with include:
- Grains (such as rice cereal and oatmeal cereal)
- Pureed fruits (such as applesauce, avocados, peaches, and ripe bananas)
- Pureed vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots)
- Pureed meats (such as chicken and turkey)
How Do I Safely Start Baby With Stage 1 Foods?
Starting solids is an exciting time for both you and your baby, but it’s important to follow a few safety guidelines to ensure a smooth transition.
Here are some tips for starting solids safely:
- Introduce one food at a time and wait a few days before introducing another to monitor for any allergic reactions
- Offer small amounts of food to avoid overfeeding
- Always supervise your baby while they are eating to avoid choking hazards
- Avoid adding sugar or salt to your baby’s food
Where Can I Get Stage 1 Baby Foods?
You can find baby food premade in most grocery stores.
Walmart has a super helpful stage categorization, so you can search by stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, baby cereal, baby food pouches, cereal, etc.
If you’re going to go the premade route, I really like Gerber’s Appetite Explorer (you can buy it online at Walmart).
It’s a bundle of their “Supported Sitter 1st Foods” including banana, sweet potato, prune, apple, peach, butternut squash, banana teething sticks, and a probiotic oatmeal banana cereal.
It’s also easy to make your own baby food at home.
Just buy your ingredients from the produce section, take them home and wash them thoroughly, cut them up into chunks, cook if needed (boil, roast, or steam), then just throw them into a blender until smooth.
You can add liquid as needed to get a smoothie-like consistency and can use breast milk, formula, or water.
Easy peasy!
How Does Baby-led Weaning Work?
Baby-led weaning is a method of introducing solid foods to your baby where you allow them to feed themselves, rather than pureeing or mashing the food for them.
This approach allows your baby to explore and discover new tastes and textures at their own pace.
Some benefits of baby-led weaning include:
- Promotes self-feeding and independence
- Encourages a healthy relationship with food
- Allows babies to try a variety of foods and flavors
To start baby-led weaning, simply offer your baby small pieces of soft, cooked food and let them feed themselves.
Always supervise your baby while they are eating and avoid any choking hazards.
Tips on Preparing Phase I Baby Foods
Overall, preparing phase 1 baby foods is really easy and simple.
These tips are just reminders on how to keep the process easy and keep your little ones safe:
- Cook, grind, or mash all foods including fruit, veggies, grains, and meats
- Cut small and round foods into small pieces to avoid round pieces getting stuck in baby’s throat
- Cut cylindrical food into short and thin pieces to avoid choking hazards
- Remove all pits and seeds from fruit
- Remove all bones, skin, and fat from meat before cooking
- Cook everything until it can be mashed easily with a fork
Getting Ready For the Next Stages
Once your baby has mastered Stage 1 baby food, they will be ready to move on to the next stages of solid food.
The next stages typically involve introducing more complex flavors and textures, such as minced or mashed foods.
Your baby will also be ready to try new foods and explore a wider variety of flavors.
As they continue to develop their chewing and swallowing skills, they will be able to handle more challenging textures, like small pieces of fruits and vegetables.
It’s important to continue to offer a variety of foods and encourage your baby to try new things. Introduce different textures and flavors gradually, and always check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby’s diet.
Final Thoughts
Starting solids is a big milestone for your baby and a fun experience for you as a parent.
By understanding the basics of Stage 1 baby food and following a few simple guidelines, you can help your little one make a smooth transition to solid foods.
Just remember to be patient and to always consult with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.