Now that you’ve made the decision to start your little one on solids, the next dilemma you face is exactly what first foods for baby to choose.

It’s important to remember that when you are first starting solids with your child, you are simply giving them the opportunity to try new textures and tastes and it’s best to start with just a teaspoon or two of food once a day. Solids shouldn’t be considered ‘meals’ or be replacing their breast milk and/or formula feeds at this stage.  For many of us, Rice Cereal was the first food we ever tried when we were a baby (and it’s still a very common first food today) however there is a huge range of fruit and vegetables options you can try with your child as well.

It’s a good idea to cook vegetables before mashing or pureeing them for your child.  Some vegetables that a good to try with your baby in the early days include:

Carrot

Sweet Potato

Pumpkin

Parsnip

Potato

Beans

Spinach

Why not try these vegetable puree/mash combinations:

Pumpkin, Spinach and Corn

Sweet Potato and Broccoli

Pumpkin and Broccoli

Carrot, Spinach and Corn

Parsnip and Carrots

Sweet Potato, Spinach and Beans

Pumpkin, Cauliflower and Beans

Carrot and Cauliflower

Fruit options include:

Banana

Apple (cooked)
Mango

Pear (cooked)

Peaches

Avacado

Some yummy fruit puree/mash combinations include:

Apple and Pear

Apple and Cinnamon

Pear and Cinnamon

Banana and Mango

Peach and Apple

Avacado and Banana

Apple and Mixed Berries

Pear and Strawberries

After you have introduced your baby to fruits and vegetables, you can also include other foods such as bread, rice, pasta, meat, eggs, fish, legumes and dairy products.

Here are some puree/mash combinations to help get you started:

Chicken, Sweet Potato and Broccoli

Chicken, Pumpkin and Beans

Pasta, Beef Mince, Carrot and Zucchini

Chickpeas, Pumpkin, Cauliflower and Spinach

Chicken, Chickpeas, Spinach and Sweet Potato

Beef Mince, Pumpkin and Beans

If you have any questions or concerns about starting your baby on solids, please speak to your Doctor or Health Professional.

What was your child’s first food?