First Bites: 3 Gentle Baby Food Recipes to Start Solid Foods

Introducing your baby to solid foods is an exciting milestone! Around 6 months of age, babies are often ready to explore new tastes and textures. To make the transition smooth, it’s best to start with simple, single-ingredient recipes that are easy to digest and gentle on your baby’s tummy.

Here are three easy, wholesome baby food recipes perfect for first bites.

🥕 1. Creamy Carrot Purée

Why it’s great: Carrots are naturally sweet, easy to digest, and packed with beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A).

Ingredients:

• 2 medium carrots

• Water or breastmilk/formula for thinning

Instructions:

1. Peel and chop the carrots into small chunks.

2. Steam them for about 10–15 minutes, until tender.

3. Blend with a little water, breastmilk, or formula until smooth and creamy.

4. Let cool before serving.

Tip: Start with a thin purée. As your baby gets used to solids, you can gradually make it thicker.

🥣 2. Silky Rice Cereal

Why it’s great: Iron-fortified rice cereal is often recommended as a first food. Homemade versions are simple and have no additives.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp rice (white or brown), ground into a fine powder

• 1 cup water or breastmilk/formula

Instructions:

1. Grind the rice into powder using a clean coffee grinder or blender.

2. Boil the water and slowly whisk in the rice powder.

3. Simmer on low heat for 5–10 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens.

4. Add more liquid to reach your desired consistency.

5. Cool and serve.

Tip: Store extra ground rice in an airtight container for future use.

🍌 3. Mashed Banana Bliss

Why it’s great: Bananas are naturally sweet, require no cooking, and are full of potassium and fiber.

Ingredients:

• ½ ripe banana

Instructions:

1. Peel and mash the banana thoroughly with a fork until smooth.

2. Add a splash of breastmilk or formula if you want to thin the texture.

3. Serve immediately (bananas brown quickly!).

Tip: Always use a ripe banana—soft with small brown spots on the peel.

Final Tips for Starting Solids:

• One at a time: Introduce one new food every 3–5 days to watch for allergic reactions.

• No salt or sugar: Keep it pure and simple.

• Tiny portions: Just a teaspoon or two to start is plenty.

• Watch and enjoy: Let your baby explore the food with all senses—it’s part of the fun!

Starting solids is a beautiful (and often messy) adventure. These first foods set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating.