Just because your baby has teeth doesn't mean he's ready to transition to solid food. Sure, teeth are helpful for chewing and digesting food, but your baby needs more skills before he can eat, such as sitting upright and being able to swallow solid foods. If your baby isn't ready for the solid table foods that you eat, there are plenty of ways to ensure he still gets the nutrition that he needs.
Formula and Breast Milk
Babies need most of their nutrition from formula or breast milk for their first year of life, and formula or breast milk will satisfy all of their nutritional needs for the first four to six months. Your pediatrician should advise you on when it's appropriate to introduce your baby's first foods, which typically start with cereal and then purees, and eventually solid table foods -- when your baby is ready.
Baby Cereals
Sometime around the age of 4 to 6 months old, you may introduce baby's first food: cereal. There are several different types of cereals, from rice to oatmeal to barley, that you may want to offer your baby. Follow the instructions on the package for your baby's first cereal feeding and subsequent feedings, but expect to mix a small amount of the cereal with baby's formula or breast milk. Add cereal to your baby's daily diet to start getting him used to foods that aren't simply liquid.
Pureed Fruits and Veggies
After cereal has been a success, the next stop on your baby's gastronomic adventure is pureed fruits and vegetables. Stock up on a few different flavors to see what your baby likes. Just don't offer your baby more than one flavor at a time, and wait several days to a week before introducing a new food, to be on the lookout for any signs of a food allergy. Pureed peaches, bananas, pears and applesauce make great starters that will appeal to your baby's sweet tooth. Try pureed veggies such as squash, sweet potatoes, peas and green beans.
Avocados
Fresh avocados make another great first food before your baby is ready for table foods, according to the Ask Dr. Sears website. Remove the skin and pit, and mash or puree a ripe avocado yourself. They're a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and folic acid, and have a mild flavor that may appeal to your baby. Offer a small spoonful of mashed avocado to see what your baby thinks. If he doesn't like it right away, you can always try it again later.
