First Bites Bliss: Your Guide to Baby's Very First Foods (No Stress!)
The journey into solid foods is one of the most exciting (and sometimes nerve-wracking!) milestones in your baby's first year. It's a world of new tastes, textures, and discoveries, and as a mum, I know firsthand how many questions can pop up. When my little legend, Dusty, was ready to take his very first bite, I felt that mix of excitement and a tiny bit of 'omg i don’t actually know what to do?'!
I remember it so clearly: Dusty's very first food was a spoonful of beautifully mashed banana, offered just a week before he turned six months old. It was a moment filled with anticipation, and pure joy when he actually ate it! It was such a special moment, you can watch the reel here! 👀
But how did I know he was ready? It wasn't just about his age; it was about watching for those clear signs that his little body was prepared for this big adventure.
I knew Dusty was ready because:
He could sit up unassisted with a strong, steady neck. This is crucial for safe swallowing and preventing choking.
He had developed good hand-to-mouth coordination. He was able to grab objects and bring them accurately to his mouth.
He showed a clear interest in food. Whenever I ate, his eyes would follow my fork, and he'd often reach out for what was on my plate!
His tongue-thrust reflex had diminished. This meant he wasn't automatically pushing food out with his tongue, but could actually move it to the back of his mouth to swallow.
Recognising these developmental cues, rather than just relying on a specific age, gave me the confidence to introduce solids. And it can give you that confidence too!
My second venture into first foods was a blend of mashed kumara (sweet potato) and pumpkin. While delicious, I quickly learned a valuable lesson: I really wish I'd known to water it down with a little breast milk (or formula!). Poor Dusty got a bit blocked up for a couple of days, and I felt so incredibly bad. It was a clear reminder that every baby's digestive system is unique and learning.
That little hiccup became a turning point! It pushed me into truly experimenting with vibrant flavour combinations and textures, always keeping that 'high-frequency food' philosophy in mind. Soon, I was whipping up delicious purees like creamy butter beans blended with roasted capsicum and pumpkin, always thinned just right with breast milk. Dusty would literally cry for more and loved every single bite! I would even add a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for that extra boost of iron – a tiny touch that makes a big nutritional difference.
Ultimately, for Dusty and me, we chose a mixed feeding approach. This meant we embraced the best of both worlds: offering nourishing purees when it felt right, and introducing exciting, baby-friendly finger foods that encouraged his independence and exploration.
Some of Dusty's absolute favourite first finger foods included:
Steamed broccoli florets topped with a dollop of our homemade hummus. (Easy to grasp, soft, and packed with goodness!)
Hemp-rolled avocado bites. (Super soft, nutritious, and easy for little hands to pick up.)
Soft banana pieces. (A classic for a reason – naturally sweet and easy to mash with gums.)
Roasted wedges of kumara, pumpkin, or potato. (Tender on the inside, easy to hold, and full of flavour.)
Blueberries in a little mesh baby feeder. (Great for safely introducing juicy fruits and managing mess!)
This blend allowed us to ensure he was getting plenty of nutrients through purees, while also building crucial chewing skills and confidence with solids. Remember, every baby's journey is unique, but by focusing on whole, high-frequency foods and trusting your instincts, you're setting your little one up for a lifetime of happy, healthy eating.
With first solids you want to be able to squish the foods in your fingers. If you can’t squish them then it can potentially be a choking hazard for your baby.
The Dusty’s Delicious Dishes E-cookbook - the Flavour Formula is packed full of amazing first foods options for your little one to make the journey easier and more enjoyable for you all.