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Like that good friend that’s always on a juice cleanse, your baby prefers a liquid-only diet at first. But as their digestive systems adjust to life on the outside, they’ll soon graduate to solid food, usually somewhere between the four and six month mark (the exact timing is up to you, your pediatrician, and your baby).

In the old days, moms were subjected to endless instructions about the “right” way to start baby on solid foods. But really, there’s no such thing and no perfect meals either…although some foods are better than others.

One of the most important things to remember here is that simplicity is key. And don’t worry…your baby isn’t shy about letting you know what they like! Watch which way they lean — if it’s towards the food you’ve got a hit, and if it’s away (coupled with one of those adorable Instagrammable faces) you may want to take a break and try again later.

Here are a few tasty and nourishing options for those first spoonfuls:

1. Carrots

Root vegetables in general are great, since babies love the naturally sweet taste and creamy texture. Carrots steam and puree well, so they make a wonderful first food.

2. Sweet Potatoes

No longer just a Thanksgiving treat, these yummy orange veggies contain a unique combination of nutrients like beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Our organic sweet potatoes contain 1g of fiber. See full nutritional facts on our sweet potatoes here.

3. Pears

Certain fruits are more enjoyable than others for your baby. Pears are low in acidity and hypoallergenic, so your baby is just getting the good stuff.

4. Avocados

Avocados contain good (unsaturated) fats and are both creamy AND filling. Plus, some day they’ll help your baby make the delicious transition from Beech-Nut to tacos.

5. Pureed papayas

Papayas contain fiber that helps your baby establish normal bowel functions with solid food. Needless to say, you want this. Our Naturals Just Mango, Kiwi & Papaya contains 1g of fiber.

6. Bananas

Everyone’s favorite yellow treat has slow-release sugars, which give your baby energy over time. And they come with their own convenient wrapper!

7. Legumes

Iron is essential during the early months. Babies are born with a storehouse of iron in their bodies—enough to last about six months, studies have confirmed. After that, your baby’s diet has to supply the iron they need to grow. Not only do legumes like lentils and kidney beans contain iron, “legumes” is a fun word to say.

At the end of the day, your baby’s first taste of solid foods will be a great time for both of you. Just make sure to take plenty of pictures of messy, happy faces for later enjoyment!

See a selection of Beech-Nut’s single ingredient first organic and natural foods for babies here.

🙂