This baby’s first foods post is in collaboration with Smart & Final and their new Sun Harvest baby food. All opinions are my own as a mother of six. Keep in mind I am not a medical or nutritional expert.

Baby girl has been eating solid foods for about a month now and I can’t believe she’s already so old! This is our sixth experience with adding solid foods but our first time trying Sun Harvest Organic baby food from Smart & Final. Today I wanted to share some thoughts with you about baby’s first foods–when to start and what to start with.

baby’s first foods 101

make sure your baby is ready

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting your child on solids sometime between 4 and 6 months old. Your baby may be ready if they can sit up with minimal support, hold their head up well, and start showing interest in other people’s food. I have found for my kids that they’re usually ready right around 5 months. This is when I notice they start waking up again at night and starting them on solids helps fill them up for a good night’s sleep. Always check with your pediatrician before deciding to start solid foods with your baby!

pick the right food for your baby

Here are some suggested foods to start with for baby’s first foods:

4-6 months

• Pureed vegetables
• Pureed fruit
• Semi-liquid, iron-fortified cereal (rice)

6-8 months

• Pureed or strained fruits, vegetables, meat, or tofu
• Small amounts of unsweetened yogurt (no cow’s milk until age 1)
• Iron-fortified cereal (oats, barley)

8-10 months

• Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese and unsweetened yogurt
• Mashed vegetables and fruits
• Finger foods
• Small bits of protein
• Iron-fortified cereal (barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)

take cues from your baby

It’s always amazing to me how much our babies are able to communicate with us. For example, with baby girl she loves to eat but does NOT like cold food. If we’re only halfway through and she’s stopped eating then I know it’s time for me to heat it up again. I also know not to feed her solid foods when she’s sleepy, that’s the time she’s definitely craving some comfort that only momma can provide. If you’re just starting out with solid foods it won’t be long before you learn what your little one does and doesn’t like.

be aware of common allergens and safety concerns

There are certain foods that aren’t recommended for our little ones during their first year of life. However, food guidelines are constantly changing so check with your pediatrician before introducing foods like peanuts, dairy, and fish. When giving your baby any new solid food for the first time it’s best to introduce one at a time for a few days so you can note any reactions they might have.

Sun Harvest baby food

I recently started feeding our littlest one Smart & Final’s newest Sun Harvest organic baby food. The Sun Harvest brand boasts non-GMO ingredients and non-BPA packaging–just pure, wholesome fruits and vegetables at only .99 cents per 4 ounce serving! Sun Harvest organic baby food makes it easy to feel good about what you’re feeding your baby even when you’re on a budget.

Baby girl was especially a big fan of the mixed vegetables but I really love all their apple-based combinations too. Other flavors include sweet potato, banana, carrot, and pear. With 10 flavors to choose from I know she’s getting a good sampling of first foods that are free from fillers, salt, and sugar.

Have you started your baby on solid food yet? What have you chosen for baby’s first foods? You can find Sun Harvest Organic Baby Food at your local Smart & Final now!

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