Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary rate, and each milestone will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how exchange with him to help stimulate his awakening.
Around 6 months , your baby will take their first steps into a new world: the world of solid food. Compotes and purees will now be part of their daily routine, and they will have the pleasure of discovering a multitude of new flavors day by day. Discover our tips to guide their first steps as a budding gourmet!
The right age
During the first 6 months of its life, breast milk Infant formula covers all your baby's nutritional needs and offers the best protection against food allergies. But from 6 months onwards, your child's digestive system is mature enough for initial contact with other foods.
In some cases, your pediatrician may advise you to start introducing solid foods a little earlier, around 4 months: trust their advice. In any case, the transition should be very gradual, and milk will remain the basis of your baby's diet for some time to come.
Where to begin?
For several months now, your baby has probably been watching you eat with curiosity and longing… His first solid meal is a real celebration, for him as well as for you! A new world of sensory experiences opens up to him.
Start with a few spoonfuls of puree made from a single vegetable (steamed carrots, zucchini, green beans, or leek whites, pureed without salt) to see if your baby tolerates it well: if there's a skin reaction or digestive problem, you'll know what's causing it! You can move on to another vegetable after two days, and then make multi-vegetable purees once you've tried them all. In between, offer your child cooked and pureed fruit compotes without sugar (apple, pear, peach, banana), avoiding exotic fruits.
Don't worry if your baby is a little constipated in the first few days: their digestive system simply needs to adjust to this new diet. Introduce these extras first at lunchtime, before breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and then also at snack time, while still providing a milk-based meal in the morning and evening.
The next steps
After a few weeks, you can start adding very small amounts of meat to their purees: 10g of finely pureed beef, veal, chicken, ham, or lean lamb (about a tablespoon). If there is a family history of allergies, it's best to wait until your child is 12 years old before introducing eggs and fish.
Consider adding a knob of butter or a drizzle of olive oil to your baby's meals: fats are important for their development. You can also offer them small, soft cheeses diluted with a little water or fromage blanc for dessert. Don't hesitate to ask your pediatrician for advice on gradually enriching their diet.
Baby food jars or homemade meals?
Of course, homemade purees made with fresh vegetables are incomparable in terms of taste. However, commercially available baby food jars are made with high-quality ingredients and are perfectly balanced for babies: don't hesitate to use them when you don't have time to cook yourself. Frozen vegetables can also save you time in your preparations. Finally, consider preparing your purees and compotes in larger quantities and freezing them yourself in small containers: a practical solution for those busy days!
