Stage 1 Baby Food – What are They & When to Begin

It gives a sense of pride when your child completes their food plate. How to navigate from one stage of food to another? What should you be introducing your kid as per the food? This article to navigate through the milestone and understand the stage 1 baby food list and recipe in detail.

What Is Stage 1 Baby Food?

Parents must understand the importance of the different stages of baby food and at what age should parents introduce them? Your baby’s digestive system takes time to get fully matured, and thus parents should not be rushed to introduce everything in just a day. That’s what the stages of baby food are to help your baby manage the mechanics of eating, and it further makes the transition easier on your baby’s digestive system.

What Stage 1 Baby Food List To Start With:

Stage 1 baby food list consists of liquids, especially the juices of seasonal fruits and vegetable purees. The vegetables are smoothened into a fine paste so that they can drip off from the spoon easily. Stage 1 foods are usually prepared using a single ingredient: peas puree, carrots puree, rice water, etc.

Defining The Stages Of Baby Food As Per Medical Experts

While introducing foods to the baby, parents should give importance to the food stages to make their baby easy to transition from liquid to semi-solids and solid foods. Hence, depending upon the introduction of food, medical experts categorize the stages into four categories:

• Stage 1 Baby Food: 6 to 8 months (puree form of any single ingredient)

• Stage 2 Baby Food: 8 to 10 months (a thicker texture that is strained or mashed)

• Stage 3 Baby Food: 10 to 12 months (mush that has soft, chewable, and small chunks)

When To Start Feeding Stage 1 Baby Food?

The stage 1 baby food should be introduced to a baby at six months and continued until eight months. Here are some of the signs that tell your baby is ready to have stage 1 foods:

• Demonstrates steady head control
• Feels more hungry even after breastfeeding
• Reduction in infant’s reflux – when baby spits up.

Signs The Baby Is Ready To Intake Solid Food 

• They sit up in a high chair and have strong head and neck control.
• They are interested in food.
• They don’t push food out of their mouths, which is a natural tongue response that goes away between the ages of 4 and 6.
• They weigh twice as much as they did at birth, if not more. 
• They can sit up with little to no assistance.
• They can keep their heads high without swaying.

How To Start Stage 1 Baby Food Safely

Here are some feeding suggestions for your baby safely with the stage 1 baby food list:

• To avoid choking, make sure your baby is sitting upright, such as in a highchair.
• Now toss in a few drops of breast milk or formula to their meal. To help the newborn get habituated to eating, meals should be somewhat thicker than breast milk or formula at first.
• Always feed your baby with a spoon.
• Be patient as well. Everyone has a learning curve when they (babies) begin solid eating.

How Baby-Led Weaning Works

Baby-led weaning (BLW) introduces solid meals to your baby by allowing them to feed themselves. You offer your baby safe foods to pick up and eat on their own, at their own speed, rather than soft or pureed food. BLW is supposed to promote good eating habits as well as fine motor abilities. 

Initially, your baby may show signs of dislikes, but patience is the key. Do not force your child to eat altogether. This is the stage when taste buds start developing and mature gradually. Introduce single food in a day and check for any skin allergies or body reactions. However, you can also have a look at stage 1 baby food recipes for your child that are wholesome, nutritious and are sure to cater to even the pickiest palates.

Related Articles:

Food Recipe For 6-9 Months Old: We’ve put together a series of recipe videos for your 6 to 9-months old that are wholesome, nutritious and are sure to cater to even the pickiest of palates. 

Stage 3 Baby Food: Here is your ultimate guide to stage 3 baby food and when to begin them, in detail. Must check out! 

Make Your Own Baby Food: Here’s a recipe for homemade instant baby cereal, as shared by a paediatrician. Check out now!