Petit Pointers: Introducing Solids 101

If you're like most new moms, starting your wee one on solids is both incredibly exciting, and also quite intimidating. There are so many questions around "when is my baby ready to...?" that we've put together an easy cheat sheet on the most common questions:

• Water: As soon as you have the go ahead from your pediatrician to introduce solids (between 4-6 months), you can allow a little bit of water each day, but limit it to a maximum of 4 oz.

• Rice Cereal: This is usually introduced between 4-6 months of age. However, unless otherwise directed by your pediatrician, we highly recommend skipping the cereal stage altogether and instead start with fresh fruit and veggie purees. Many pediatricians are now suggesting this since there is very little nutritional value in commercial baby cereals.

• Dairy foods: Cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt (all made with whole milk and without added sugars/salt) are a-ok by 6 months, but hold off on cows milk until at least the 1st birthday. 

• Finger foods: These are typically introduced around 9 months, when your baby has developed a pincer grasp (able to pick things up with thumb and forefinger). Offer a variety of foods at each meal (soft pieces of fruit, cooked diced veggies and soft brown rice/pasta are all great options). Be sure these foods are diced into 1/4 inch cubes to prevent choking.

• Bread and Crackers: By 9 months babies are typically ready to try all "bready" foods as long as they are kept under close parental supervision. Your little one does not need tons of teeth for this, as his gums are surprisingly strong on their own!

Bon appetit to you and your bébé!