Stage 2 Baby Food: What Are They & When To Begin?

The transition from Stage 1 food to stage 2 foods is one of the most exciting milestones in baby growth and development. Once your baby has mastered slurping down stage 1 foods with interest, then it is time to introduce Stage 2 foods to your baby!

What is Stage 2 Food?

Stage 2 food is the combination of two ingredients and thick consistency. While stage 1 baby foods are entirely pureed and have more liquids, stage 2 foods are thicker in consistency and more textured. This smooth transition from one stage to another helps the babies get used to chewing foods and swallowing.

When To Start Stage 2 Foods to the Babies?

Ideally, the stage 2 foods are good to introduce after eight months of age and should be continued until ten months. However, this ‘ideal’ time varies from infant to infant because every baby develops at a unique pace. Thus, proper consultation with the doctor is good before transitioning from stage 1 food to stage 2 foods.

Once your baby is well accustomed to stage 1 foods and has tried different categories of stage 1 foods, your baby is good to step into stage 2 foods.

Stage 2 foods experiments with the texture. After several months of single-ingredient food, you can now try more types of foods with thicker textures and more significant portions. Ensure the food is cooked correctly avoid small pieces or chunks of food that may cause choking hazards.

• Ingredients: Stage 2 baby foods are made by blending two or more components. Stage 2 baby foods include legumes, eggs, chicken, and grains. It may consist of a few spices in mild taste.
• Texture: Stage 2 baby foods are soft but roughly blended, pureed, or strained. These foods would have a denser, thicker consistency and include soft chunks of the food so that the baby can swallow the food and not feel choked.

Healthy Stage 2 Foods

• Rice pudding
• Grain cereal
• Banana Shake

Your baby might take only one or two bites the first time solid foods are offered to him, but it is essential to store the remaining properly to prevent bacterial growth. It is best to divide the prepared food into portions permanently. You may keep a bit or two in the refrigerator, but ensure you don’t store them longer than what is needed. Try to feed your baby fresh food at all times. Also, if you are planning on buying level 2 baby foods from the store, read the label carefully to check whether any ingredient could cause allergies or discomfort to the baby.

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