How should I introduce foods?
Parents choose different ways to introduce solid food depending on their preferences, their family circumstances, and their baby’s characteristics.
Most parents introduce solids in the form of purée, which they give to their baby with a spoon. Over time they gradually introduce food with other textures.
Other parents prefer to start with food in pieces, letting the baby feed himself. This method is known as baby-led weaning (or BLW).
For more information on these two methods, see Baby food basics and Baby-led weaning (BLW).
Some advice applies to all babies, regardless of how solid food is introduced. See, for example, the information below and on pages Choking risk: Be extra careful until age 4 and Honey—never for babies under age 1.
Order of introduction
The important thing is to start with iron-rich foods, then continue with a nutritious variety of foods.
The order in which foods are introduced varies from country to country, depending on customs and culture.
However, it is recommended to start with iron-rich foods, then to continue with nutritious and varied foods (see Start with iron-rich foods).
Good to know...
Cow’s milk should not be introduced before 9 to 12 months.
New foods
for several days in a row. There’s no need to wait a few days between two new foods.
When introducing new foods, continue to give your baby the foods they already know on a regular basis.
Don’t insist if your baby refuses a new food for a few days. Try introducing it again later. You may have to present a food a number of times (up to 10 and sometimes even more) before your baby accepts it. This is how they learn to like new flavours.
A word about food allergies
The foods most likely to cause allergies are eggs, peanut and other nuts, fish and seafood and foods that contain cow’s milk protein (see Milk and dairy products).
In the past, it was recommended that parents wait until their babies had reached a certain age before introducing foods more likely to cause allergies. We now know that it’s best to introduce these types of foods at the same time as other solids.
When your baby tries a new food that could cause an allergy, watch them. To learn about the signs of an allergic reaction and what to do, see Food allergies. If they tolerate the new food, continue to offer it several times a week, in normal quantities for their age.
To find out if your baby has a higher risk of developing a food allergy or to learn more about food allergies, see Food allergies.
Food quality
Over time, solids will become more and more important in meeting your baby’s nutritional needs. That’s why the food you offer should be nutritious and varied.
The foods you add to your baby’s diet can often be the same as what the rest of the family eats. For ideas on nutritious foods to offer your baby, see Your baby’s first foods.
However, it’s best not to give foods containing added salt or sugar to your baby until they are at least one year old.
Quantity and frequency
Your baby has a small stomach, so they need to eat small portions several times a day. At first, your baby will probably eat the equivalent of a few small spoonfuls once or more during the day.
Little by little, the amount of food and the number of meals and snacks will increase. Let yourself be guided by their appetite, which will vary depending on how much milk they drink and their growth rate.
Your baby’s appetite is your best guide to knowing how much food they need. The quantity will depend on how much milk they drink and will vary depending on their rate of growth.
You could, for example, start by giving them two or three meals a day. Then depending on how much they eat, you could add snacks in between meals.
By around 1 year of age, your child will be able to adopt a more regular schedule for meals (breakfast, lunch, supper) and snacks (between meals and at night, as needed).
Good to know...
When your baby starts eating foods, the number of breast or bottle feedings will generally stay the same. The amount of milk they drink will not decrease by much. At around 8 or 9 months, they will gradually start drinking less.
Your baby can have their milk before or after foods, or you can give them some before and some after.
Appetite
A baby’s appetite is like an adult’s: it can vary from one day to the next. It’s normal for babies to sometimes eat less, and it’s possible that they may not like certain foods or textures.
By watching your baby for specific signals, you’ll learn to know their appetite. If your baby shows interest in the food you give, it’s because they are still hungry, and you can continue feeding them without hesitation. However, if they close their mouth, refuse to eat, push their spoon away, turn their head, cry, or play with their food, they are signalling that they have had enough to eat.
It’s possible that your child will eat less when they start eating independently. Don’t insist: they are learning about foods and getting to know their own appetite. This will allow them to develop a healthy relationship with food. Trust your baby: they know when they are hungry and when they are full.
Independence
Babies love bringing food and objects to their mouths. Let your child start eating with their fingers as soon as possible. It’s messier and often takes more time, but it’s a lot more fun!
Eating with their fingers also helps develop their motor skills. Encourage them, because that’s how they learn to eat by themselves—it’s an important step to becoming more independent!
Even if they eat on their own, your baby should be supervised at all times during meals.
First meals
While some babies have no trouble adapting to meals, others find it difficult. To make things easier, choose a time when your baby is in a good mood.
The movements involved in eating are very different from those your baby uses for nursing. It takes time to learn. Your baby will need several weeks of practice to develop their abilities.
My baby refuses to eat
and adapt to change.
If your baby refuses to eat, they may not be ready. If you’re not sure, see How do I know my baby is ready?
If you think your baby is ready, but they still refuse to eat, try again at the next meal and keep trying for one or two more days. You can also offer them a different food: maybe they don’t like what you served.
If your baby is over 6 months and still refuses to eat after repeated attempts, consult a health professional.
Gagging
When your baby starts eating, small amounts of food may lodge in their throat without being swallowed. This can cause your baby to gag, as if they were about to vomit.
Your baby will cough and spit up the food they were given. Don’t worry, this is a normal reaction (gag reflex) that protects against choking.
However, if this happens at every meal for several days in a row, see a doctor.