When Can Babies Eat Complementary Foods?

Article published at: Apr 2, 2024 Article author: Durbl -Mila
When Can Babies Eat Complementary Foods?
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Need help determining the right time to start feeding your baby solid food? This article will guide you on effectively incorporating stage 1 and 2 solid baby foods into your baby's diet to meet their nutritional requirements and support their growth and development.

While most babies are typically ready for solids between 4 and 6 months old, observing your baby's cues and readiness is essential. Learn about the indications signaling that it's time to transition from a liquid milk diet to introducing fruit and vegetable purees to explore new tastes and textures.

Additionally, discover tips on reducing single-use packaging by opting for reusable options like Durbl food-grade silicone for preparing and storing baby food in an environmentally friendly manner.

Wondering: is it prepared for solid foods? The timing of when babies should begin eating solid food can vary. Still, most babies are typically ready between 4 and 6 months of age, as the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested. It's important to note that every baby develops at their own pace, so observing your baby for signs of readiness is advisable.

These signs may include the ability to support their head for an extended period, sitting up with minimal assistance, showing interest in mealtimes, displaying signs of hunger between feeding sessions, and not automatically pushing food out of their mouth using the tongue-thrust reflex.

What kind of food should you give to your infant?

Are you wondering what to feed your infant? There are two main types of baby food - stage 1 and stage 2 - based on your baby's age and their need for different textures. When your baby shows signs of being ready for solid foods, you can start with stage 1 foods, which are smooth purees made from one ingredient.

Common first foods include purees of avocado, banana, carrot, and sweet potato - which provide essential nutrients to support your baby's growth and development.

To ensure your baby gets all the necessary nutrients, experts recommend breastfeeding or giving formula to your baby and the new foods until they are at least one year old.

Between 6 to 9 months of age, your baby may be prepared to transition to stage 2 baby food. Unlike stage 1 food, stage 2 purees are thicker in consistency, with strained, mashed, or soft pieces rather than entirely smooth ingredients.

It is essential to choose nutrient-rich foods, such as spinach-apple puree with iron, to support your baby's growth and expose them to various tastes and textures.

Pay attention to any allergies.

When introducing new foods to your baby, it's essential to do so gradually, with one ingredient at a time. This helps your little one adjust to new flavors and textures, but more crucially, it allows you to monitor for any potential allergies.

Keep an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction, such as unusual gas and bloating, diarrhea, a rash on the body, watery eyes or a runny nose, and increased irritability.

By introducing ingredients separately in stage 1, you can identify any food allergies or sensitivities. Once your baby reaches the 6- to 9-month mark, you can combine ingredients in stage 2.

It is recommended to refrain from giving certain foods, such as honey and cow's milk, to your baby before they reach one year of age. This precaution is necessary to prevent the risk of botulism from honey and potential malnutrition that may arise from introducing dairy milk too early.

Tips for Storing Baby's Nutrition

When it comes to storing baby food, whether homemade or store-bought, there are some critical food safety guidelines to follow.

Generally, homemade baby food or opened store-bought baby food can be kept in the fridge for up to two days in airtight containers, such as Durbl Silicone Containers. Alternatively, you can store it in the freezer for up to two months.

However, be sure to discard any leftovers after this time to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and ensure your baby is always eating fresh-tasting food.

It's also important to note that you shouldn't refreeze thawed baby food, but you can melt it, cook it, and refreeze it in Durbl containers for later use.

Making homemade baby food using reusable storage containers like Durbl silicone containers and bags is cost-effective and fresher. Still, it also helps reduce single-use packaging waste and is a more sustainable option for your baby and the environment.



Generally, babies are prepared for solid foods between 4 and 6 months old in smooth, single-ingredient purees. By 6 to 9 months, babies' textural requirements change, and they can have thicker purees that have been mashed or strained to allow for soft chunks.

Whether baby food is store-bought or homemade, stage 1 or stage 2, it's crucial to be mindful of food safety. Fresh or opened food can last for two days in an airtight Durbl silicone bag or container in the fridge or two months in the freezer. After that, discard it and prepare something new.

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