11 tips to get you started with baby food

There are many stages in a baby's life... and their parents! Dietary diversification is one of them! And not the least! You'll often have lots of questions when it comes to getting started.

How? And when? That's why we've put together this practical guide with 11 essential tips to help you and your child begin the process of dietary diversification with peace of mind. 

1- When is the right time to start?

There are no hard and fast rules. One baby might start diversifying at 4 months, while another might start at 6 months. However, there are a number of clues that can help you decide. 

Does your child show interest in mealtime?

Does he ever sulk at his bottles? How well does he hold his head?This is another point to raise before you start.

Finally, are there any major upheavals coming up in the next few days in your baby's life?

For example, the start of a new school year at the crèche or nanny's? Or moving house?

We advise you not to combine two major changes in your child's life, to avoid upsetting him too much. Food diversification is a big step in his young life. 

Before starting to diversify your child's diet, check with your child's doctor to make sure it's time to start. 

Our tips!

Tip No. 1: Find out in advance about the various options available to you. 

Food diversification can be carried out in different ways. Some parents choose to give their child pureed foods.

Others opt directly for chunks. This latter approach is called "DME" or child-led diversification. The indications and contraindications will differ according to your choice. If this is the approach you choose, it would be advisable to do some in-depth research on EMD before starting. 

Tip No. 2: Get the green light from your paediatrician. 

Your paediatrician will be able to guide you and tell you whether or not this is the right time to start in your specific situation. 

Tip No. 3: Begin food diversification by introducing one new food at a time. 

This is certainly one of the golden rules of food diversification.

To begin with, give one food at a time. This allows your child to discover each taste, texture and flavor. Finally, it also allows you to observe potential allergic reactions in your child.

Should he react after a meal, it will be easier to point the finger at the food in question.

Indeed, if your child has never reacted before to other foods on his plate, the new food introduced will certainly be the one to be eliminated from his diet.

Tip N°4: Name foods and show them to your child.

It might be a good idea to name each food individually. Focus on the details: "Here's a carrot purée". You can also show your child what goes on in the kitchen, so that he can see all the stages of food processing.

      our observation tower

For this, we have our observation tower, which allows him to sit at the same height as your worktop, so he can watch you do it.

Finally, children's books are a great way to show your baby the different foods and their colors. In the end, it's all about showing him as much as possible, because your baby has already discovered everything! For your baby, it's a learning process.  

Tip No. 5: Take an active role during mealtime. 

At mealtime, explain the contents of your child's plate and cutlery. In turn, show him how to enjoy his meal. In time, your child will want to do things on his own.He'll enjoy sharing these convivial moments with you.

Tip N°6: Make it comfortable. 

Like us, children like to be comfortable when they eat.

If you place him on your lap, make sure his back is straight. If you opt for a high chair, make sure it's comfortable. The Monti Family observation tower mentioned above is ideal for toddlers' mealtimes.

Tip N°7: Don't force your child during the food diversification process.

Switching from bottles or breast milk to spoons and solid foods is no small step for your child!

If he refuses a spoon or a meal, don't insist. You can try again later, or with a different texture. The idea is for these first moments to be times of shared pleasure, and not to be associated with constraint. 

Tip N°8 for starting to diversify: take your time. 

Try to find certain times when you can start, such as at the weekend. This will allow your baby to discover in greater detail, to take an active role... And this requires learning... which takes time!

Tip No. 9: Think practical!

Eating with a baby means potential stains on clothes or mashed potatoes on the floor. So don't hesitate to place a mat under your child's chair or tower. This will make cleaning up easier afterwards. You can also put on a long painting apron during mealtime, instead of the traditional little bib. It's up to you to decide what's best for your family! 

Tip No. 10: Or-ga-ni-sa-tion!

Babies eat in small quantities, especially at the very beginning. So it can quickly become complicated to prepare each meal by the taste. We recommend that you prepare the "classics" in large quantities and then freeze them.

For example, if you're making mashed potatoes, don't just make a tiny amount for lunch. Make more and put it in the freezer afterwards.

When freezing, be sure to prepare small quantities so that you don't have to throw them away if your child doesn't want them any more. When preparing food, we recommend steaming, which is the most suitable method for your baby.

Tip No. 11: Go at your own pace when diversifying your diet.

We know that this stage is VERY stressful. It's new for both you and your baby. That's a lot! So go at your own pace. If baby doesn't want any more carrots tonight, that's okay. Just listen to yourself!

We hope you find these tips useful. And we wish you a wonderful dietary diversification! If you have any other suggestions, please let us know in the comments.