Most babies start to take in solid foods when they are still breastfeeding from four to six months of age. A baby that can hold her head upright, sit without help, and watch what you put into your mouth when eating is ready to start solids. Vegetables such as mashed carrots and peas make some of the best first solid foods for baby. Avoid vegetables that taste strong or don't mash well, such as bell peppers and cabbage.
Starter Vegetables
Plain, slightly bland vegetables are the best options for a young baby. For example, sweet potato, butternut squash, carrots, potato and green peas all work well, according to MedlinePlus. Initially, start with strained vegetables. That means cooking the vegetables until soft, and then making them into a puree using a blender. Run the puree through a sieve to remove big chunks, peel, seeds or any stray bits. Aim to feed the baby around 3 tbsp. of vegetable puree, four times per day.
Mashed Vegetables
When your baby is happy with solid foods, try offering mashed vegetables, such as carrots, potato or broccoli. Mashing leaves more solid pieces in the food than straining does, however, remove any large chunks or bits of peel. Some vegetables contain high levels of nitrates, which can be toxic to a baby in large doses. So, it's best to leave vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and beets out of a baby's diet until she's at least a year old.
Feeding
Using one mashed vegetable at a time helps you identify those that your baby prefers and the ones that create a bad reaction. After you're familiar with what your baby likes, try adding two vegetables together, such as mashed pea and carrot. Don't put the puree or mashed vegetables in your baby's bottle. Instead, mash the vegetables and put them in a clean bowl and use a clean baby spoon for feeding. Giving your baby food straight from a jar that you then reseal can cause contamination and bacterial growth.
Considerations
Vegetables aren't the best first step when it comes to solid foods for babies. Milk-softened cereals, such as puffed rice, make a suitable first solid food for baby, according to Darlene Martin at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. It may help your baby grow accustomed to vegetables if you introduce them before any fruit purees. As fruit is sweeter, babies tend to prefer it, which in turn means they might reject vegetables later down the line.
References
- MedlinePlus; Age-appropriate Diet for Children; June 14, 2011
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension; Introducing Solid Foods to Babies; Darlene Martin; 1990
- MayoClinic.com; Solid Foods: How to Get Your Baby Started; June 17, 2011
- Colorado State University Extension; Introducing Solid Foods to Infants; J. Anderson; August 2008
