Introducing Solids Schedule and Baby’s First Foods

It’s hard to believe friends, but it’s been seven months since we’ve had our babies! Doesn’t it feel like we just announced we were expecting?! But here we are, watching these two cuties reach new milestones each day, and one of the most recent has been introducing solids. So, before we got started, we got the green light from our pediatricians, decided on an introducing solids schedule, picked the foods we wanted to start with, and prepared ourselves for the messy fun!

Introducing Solids Schedule – Typical Day

A “typical” day for us is usually spent at home with a simple schedule that revolves around the eat, play, sleep routine. Having a schedule helps shape our days, and contrary to popular belief, relieves stress. Our babies never stress about when they’re going to eat or sleep, and we have a good idea as to when we can have some personal time to work, tend to our to-do list or just sit for a moment to rest.

But don’t get us wrong, no two days are the same and our schedules aren’t down to the minute. We still live our lives and stay up past bedtimes and get “off schedule” on crazy days, but having a routine ensures our babies get enough sleep and consume enough calories during the day so everyone can get plenty of good sleep at night.

When we’re not running around and find ourselves enjoying a “typical” day, we stick to the following introducing solids schedule. It’s helped ensure breastmilk (for Charley) and formula (for Max) are the primary source of nutrition, and compliments their eat, play, sleep routine.

 

7:00 AM – Wake Time; Nurse or Bottle Feed (6-8 ounces)

8:00 AM – Eat Pureed Solids

9:00 AM – Nap

11:00 AM – Nurse or Bottle Feed (6-8 ounces)

12:00 PM – Eat Pureed Solids

1:00 PM – Nap

3:00 PM – Nurse or Bottle Feed (6-8 ounces)

4:00 PM – Eat Pureed Solids

5:00 PM – Catnap

*6:30 PM – Charley’s Bathtime

7:00 PM – Nurse or Bottle Feed (6-8 ounces)

*7:15 PM – Max’s Bathtime

7:30/7:45 PM –  Bedtime

 

Before deciding to introduce solids to your baby, always, always consult with your pediatrician. Your pediatrician is your partner in providing the best care for your little one, and based on your baby’s specific needs and development, will be able to help you determine the best time to introduce solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting baby on solids around 6 months of age and exposing them to a wide variety of healthy foods and textures.

 

Baby’s First Foods – 6 Months

Fruits

• Pear
• Apple
• Banana
• Avocado

Vegetables

• Butternut Squash
• Sweet Potato
• Green Peas

Baby’s Next Foods – 6-8 Months

Fruits

• Apricot
• Mango
• Nectarine
• Peach
• Plum
• Prune
• Pumpkin

Vegetables

• Carrot
• Parsnip
• Peas
• Squash
• Zucchini

A few helpful tips for introducing solids:

• Make sure baby has had enough breastmilk or formula before offering solids.

• Wait about an hour after breastfeeding or bottle feeding before offering solids.

• Introduce both fruits and veggies for a variety of tastes and textures.

• Offer veggies before fruit, since fruit will always taste better.

• Introduce one new food at a time and wait 3-5 days in between each new food to see if your baby has any food sensitivities.

Above all, when introducing solids to your baby, remember to relax and have fun! Your little one uses your cues to help understand the world around him or her. If you’re relaxed, he or she will be more relaxed, and if you’re having fun, he or she will have fun.

*For even more tips on starting baby on solids, visit this comprehensive post we shared on Orlando Moms Collective. It includes simple steps, helpful tools and great tips!