Introducing Baby To Fruits And Vegetables

Baby foods are just the right consistency for their practicing tongue movements and for advancing their eating skills. Available in many different varieties, baby foods also come in organic versions.

Offer one fruit or veggie baby food (not a mixed variety). This helps you determine if your baby is sensitive to a particular food. Serve mixed fruit or veggie combos only after they have tried each of the foods individually.

• Symptoms may occur within minutes of eating a particular food or they may not appear for hours.
• Some symptoms to watch for include a skin rash, diarrhea, congestion or vomiting.
• If any of these symptoms occur, stop the new food and call your pediatrician.

Developing a Taste for New Foods

Eating solid foods is a new and unusual experience for them. Continuing to offer your child new flavors and textures will eventually make mealtime enjoyable for both of you. Relax and enjoy sharing all these new discoveries.

Making it Easy for Baby

• Breast- or bottle-feed first so they are not overly hungry, then offer the solid food. Don’t decrease the amount of breastmilk or formula you offer.
• Pick a time of day when your baby is happy, wide awake and you don’t feel rushed.
• Let them explore the feel and aroma of each new food in their hands. This is both fun and messy.
• Start with a few teaspoons at one or two of their feedings and let them tell you they have had enough to eat. Turning their head away from the spoon is a good signal that it’s time to stop.
• Feed from a familiar, colorful bowl with a baby spoon, not from the jar, tub or pouch.
• Don’t worry if they do not want to eat very much. This is a time for them to explore new tastes and textures.

Making it Easy for You

• Spread a large towel or old sheet under the high chair. Spills land on the cover, not the floor, making cleanup a breeze.
• Keep a roll of paper towels handy for spills.
• Keep your sense of humor and enjoy watching them make some tasty discoveries.

Helping Baby Discover New Tastes

• Which to serve first—fruit or veggie? No hard rule applies, so do what feels right for you and your baby. They are used to the sweet flavor of breastmilk, but that doesn’t mean you have to serve apples before peas. Either way, it can take up to 10 tries with a new food before they decide to give it a go.
• If you’re using baby food packed in a pouch, be sure to squeeze it into a bowl or onto a spoon for feeding.
• Growth spurts will determine their hunger. Don’t insist on them finishing the bowl, but let their fullness be the guide.
• Offer a wide variety of foods so they can experience different tastes. This may help them to be more accepting of new foods.