How long stage 1 baby food

This usually doesn't happen until they're 4 to 6 months old. Also, if you try to feed your son solids before this age, you may notice that he pushes food out of his mouth as quickly as you put it in. Babies start to lose this natural tongue-thrusting reflex at the 4- to 6-month mark, which makes it easier for them to start eating solid foods.

Wait until your baby is at least 4 months old and shows these signs of readiness before starting solids. Babies who start solid foods before 4 months are at a higher risk for obesity and other problems later on.

They also aren't coordinated enough to safely swallow solid foods and may choke on the food or inhale it into their lungs. When the time is right, start with a single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal. Rice cereal has traditionally been the first food for babies, but you can start with any you prefer. Start with 1 or 2 tablespoons of cereal mixed with breast milk, formula, or water.

Feed your baby with a small baby spoon, and never add cereal to a baby's bottle unless your doctor recommends it. At this stage, solids should be fed after a nursing session, not before.

That way, your baby fills up on breast milk, which should be your baby's main source of nutrition until age 1. Get your baby used to new surroundings. Your baby might not immediately love that new high chair, spoon or bowl. Have your baby sit in the high chair a few days before starting solid foods to get them familiar with the new environment. Establish a baby food eating schedule. Dedicate time to feed your baby solids 3 times a day. This will make feedings easier for both of you.

Offer solids first, then breast milk or formula. Your baby should be hungry, interested in eating and happy in the high chair. Insist, and offer a variety of solid foods.

Try not to let your baby dictate what they eat. Instead, offer a variety of foods, such as butternut squash, red lentils or English pea purees each day so your baby can be exposed to different flavors and textures at an early age. More bitter vegetable flavors are especially important to include alongside sweeter fruit options. Remember, good habits start early—have a plan, and stick to it! Minimize distraction when feeding. Turn off the TV and loud music.

Keep your pets away from the high chair. Turn off all devices phone, tablet, laptop, etc. Set the mood. A calm environment helps you and your baby focus on the task at hand. Most importantly, the decision for your baby to start solids is one that should happen only when you and your baby are ready.

Something went wrong. Please try again. Introducing solids to your baby can be intimidating. Starting on solid foods allows babies to get accustomed to eating, establish a feeding routine, learn about textures and experience using utensils.

Our guide will help you transition your baby during their…. This can be confusing when using a combination of pre-made foods as well as homemade foods, or combining baby-led feeding with commercial foods. The popular brand Gerber has registered trademarks for "1st Foods," "2nd Foods," and "3rd Foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not specifically discuss stages or steps, but advises: "It is important for your baby to get used to the process of eating—sitting up, taking food from a spoon, resting between bites, and stopping when full.

These early experiences will help your child learn good eating habits throughout life. Most popular brands work around four stages, which coincide with ages 4 to 6 months all the way to 12 months and up. These stages aren't standardized, but can generally be explained in the following way:.

Foods that you might first start your baby on at age 4 to 6 months include single-ingredient foods such as rice cereal or pureed fruits or vegetables. Some examples by popular brands include:. When babies are 7 to 8 months old , they can eat "2" baby foods, which include single-ingredient and combination foods that are strained instead of pureed.

Examples of stage 2 foods include:. At 9 to 12 months old, babies should be ready for "3" baby foods. These foods have more texture and small chunks to encourage chewing. Examples of stage 3 foods include:.

These jars of baby food are easy to spot because they are usually bigger than stage 1 and 2 varieties since babies tend to have a bigger appetite by the time they are ready for these foods. Babies progress to "4" foods or table food around the end of their first year or the beginning of their second year. At this point, you may be feeding your baby the food that the rest of the family is eating, or you might continue to buy commercially prepared toddler foods.

Keep in mind that the age recommendations for when you start each stage are just general guidelines. Some babies are ready for stage 2 foods before they are 7 to 8 months old, while others might not be ready for them until they are 9 to 10 months old. Instead of starting each stage of baby food at the ages listed, it is usually more important that babies advance through the different stages in their own good time.

Your pediatrician can also help guide you regarding whether your baby might need extra time with one stage or texture.