Around 6 months, your baby will take his first steps into a new world: that of solid food.
Compotes and purees will now be part of his daily life, and he will have the pleasure of discovering a multitude of new flavors as the days go by. Discover our tips to guide your beginnings as an apprentice gourmet!
THE RIGHT AGE
During the first 6 months of life, breast or infant milk covers all of your baby's nutritional needs and offers him the best protection against food allergies. But from 6 months, your child's digestive system has matured enough for first contact with other foods.
In certain cases, your pediatrician may advise you to start diversification a little earlier, around 4 months: trust his or her opinion. Either way, the transition should be smooth, and milk will remain the basis of your baby's diet for some time to come.
WHAT TO START WITH ?
For several months, your baby has undoubtedly been watching you eat with curiosity and desire... His first solid meal is a real celebration, for him as well as for you! A new world of sensory experiences opens up to him. Start with a few spoonfuls of puree from a single vegetable (carrots, zucchini, green beans or white leeks steamed and blended without salt) to see if your baby tolerates it well: in the event of a skin reaction or digestive problem, you will know who is responsible! You can switch to another vegetable after two days, then make multi-vegetable purees when you have tested them all. Alternately, offer your child cooked and mixed fruit compotes without sugar (apple, pear, peach, banana), avoiding exotic fruits. Don't worry if your baby is a little constipated the first few days: his digestive system must simply adapt to this new diet. First introduce these extras at midday, before feeding or bottle feeding, then also at snack time, keeping a milk meal in the morning and evening.
THE NEXT STEPS
After a few weeks, you can start adding meat in very small quantities to your purees: 10g of perfectly mixed beef, veal, chicken, ham or lean lamb (about a tablespoon). If your family has allergies, it is better to wait 1 year before introducing eggs and fish. Consider adding a knob of butter or a drizzle of olive oil to your meals: fats are important for your baby's development. You can also offer him a little Swiss cheese topped with a little water or fromage blanc for dessert. Do not hesitate to ask your pediatrician for advice on gradually enriching their menus.
SMALL POTS OR SMALL HOMEMADE DISHES?
Of course, purees prepared at home with fresh vegetables are incomparable in taste. However, small commercial pots are made with quality raw materials and are completely balanced for babies: don't hesitate to use them when you don't have time to cook yourself. Frozen vegetables can also help you save time in your preparations. Finally, consider preparing your purees and compotes in larger quantities and freezing them yourself in small containers: a practical solution for days when you are in a hurry!