This post is sponsored by Beech-Nut® Naturals, but all opinions are my own.
Starting solids is a major exciting milestone in a baby’s life. Not only are you introducing your baby to different flavors, colors, and textures but you are also creating a foundation for a life of healthy eating habits. Just yesterday my sweet baby girl, Gabriella was being brought home from the hospital, sleeping for most of the day, and happily staring into my eyes as we bonded over a breastfeeding session. And today she is starting solids! Where did the past four months go? I can’t believe I have a baby who is old enough to start solids.
My daughter has been showing interest in real food since she was three months old. This is much earlier than my first daughter. As a second time mom, I feel better prepared for this transition from exclusively breastfeeding my daughter to introducing her to solids because we are choosing Beech-Nut® Naturals for her first baby food experience.
Starting Solids with Beech-Nut® Naturals
I’m a fan of Beech-Nut® Naturals because the baby food purees are made with real ingredients that have been gently cooked over indirect heat to preserve color, flavor, and nutrients. By real ingredients, I mean natural fruits and vegetables and never anything artificial. This gives me peace of mind because I only want to give my baby real food. Being a stay at home mom, I thought I would have time to be a “Pinterest Mom” and make all my own baby food. Ha! Then reality set in and I realized how difficult it is to be a mom of two babies under two. As much as I wish I made my own baby food, I don’t have that kind of time. Beech-Nut® Naturals removes my mom guilt because I am giving my daughter the next best thing.
All of the Beech-Nut® Naturals also come in Organic, have no artificial preservatives, and are Non-GMO Project Verified. To learn more about Beech-Nut® Naturals, click here!
Starting Solids At 4 Months
There are many Beech-Nut® Naturals Stage 1 flavors to choose from.
- Just Apples
- Bananas
- Just Butternut Squash
- Just Carrots
- Just Green Beans
- Just Pears
- Just Sweet Potatoes
- Prunes
I first introduced my 4.5 month old daughter to sweet potatoes and it was a winner! I was pleasantly surprised at how well she took to the new flavor and texture. It was almost as if she’s been eating solids for a few weeks now. My daughter loved the Beech-Nut® Naturals sweet potato! It also digested well because I didn’t see a change in her bowel movements nor did she become gassy. Next, we will try the green beans…every babies favorite! I feel very happy and confident giving Gabriella Beech-Nut® Naturals because there are no hidden ingredients. When I look at the jar of sweet potatoes, listed as the ingredients was simply sweet potato. Nothing extra!
Tips On How To Introduce Solids
Start Slowly – Our family pediatrician recommended feeding her solids twice a day at lunch and dinner time and to only give her a couple spoonfuls at each feeding. If my mornings were not so hectic, I would prefer to do a breakfast feeding and a dinner feeding, but until then lunch and dinner time it is.
Introduce one food at a time – This is standard advice across the board. Introduce one type of food to your baby at a time. Feed your baby this food for 3 days to see how she or he reacts to it before changing and introducing another type of food.
Try new foods more than once – Do not be discouraged if your little one does not like avocado or banana the first few times. Keep giving it to them. Your baby’s taste will evolve. I didn’t like avocado as a kid and now I eat an avocado every day!
Start with baby cereal – This is a personal choice. Baby cereal or baby oatmeal is a great way to introduce solids because it’s bland and helps baby get used to a different texture than breast milk or a bottle. Also it’s easy to eat off a spoon.
Don’t feel pressure – Lastly, this tip is for you mama. Do not feel pressure to start your baby on solids just because your friends are doing it or your pediatrician says so, if you aren’t ready to. There are so many suggestions on how to parent but at the end of the day, your baby is your baby and you will know when you and her both are ready to start solids. And when you are ready, choose Beech-Nut® Naturals!
To learn more about Beech-Nut® Naturals, check out their page here!
Are you a new parent? Are you on the path of starting solids soon? Let me know below!
Xoxo,
Nicole