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Stage 1 baby food refers to the first step in introducing solid foods to infants who are around 4 to 6 months old. At this stage, babies are typically transitioning from a diet of breast milk or formula to trying solid foods for the first time. Stage 1 baby foods are pureed and extremely smooth and thin in texture to make them easy for young babies to swallow and digest.
This post is all about stage 1 baby food.
Characteristics of stage 1 baby food:
Stage 1 baby foods usually include single-ingredient purees. They are generally mild in taste and easy to digest:
Single-ingredient fruit purees: Smooth purees of fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, or prunes.
Single-ingredient vegetable purees: Smooth purees of vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, butternut squash, or green beans.
Single-grain cereals: Baby cereals such as oatmeal are mixed with breast milk or formula to create a thin, runny consistency.
Store-bought or Homemade Stage 1 Baby Food
Homemade: If you’re making your own baby food, the purees are thinned out with breast milk or formula, which is still necessary to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. Blenders and strainers are used to make them as smooth as possible. To help you get started with making your own homemade stage 1 baby food, you can find the tried and true essential baby food making supplies here. They are game-changers!
Store-bought: If you’re looking for a hassle-free experience and want store-bought options, check out this list of the best store brands. Even if you plan to make your own baby food, it’s convenient to stock up before traveling out-of-town.
Stage 1 Baby Food Goals
During stage 1, babies are just learning to eat from a spoon and adjusting to the new experience of eating solid foods. It’s also an essential time to observe for any signs of allergies or sensitivities, so be sure to keep a food tracker handy.
As they get used to eating purees and their swallowing and chewing skills develop, parents can gradually move on to stage 2 baby foods, which include more complex thicker purees and some combination blends of fruits, vegetables, and grains.