Starting solids can be a stressful time for families, but it doesn’t have to be! I’ve compiled a list of a few of my favorite things when starting solids to help take some of the guesswork out of it!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.*
High Chair- Ideally you want a supportive highchair with a footrest. When picking out your little one’s high chair make sure your baby is sitting upright; your child should not be leaning to the side or reclining. Your baby’s hips should be supported so that she doesn’t lean forward or slump in the chair. If your baby’s legs have grown to the point that they bend over the seat, your baby’s feet should be comfortably resting on a footrest. The tray should be at a comfortable height for your baby so that she can reach the food.
My favorite: Tripp Trapp
Baby Food Maker- Offering home cooked meals can actually help reduce picking eating. This is because babies learn that small variations in foods are acceptable. When you buy a jar or pouch from the store, its contents will always be the same. A jar of sweet potato puree is always going to taste the same way and be the same texture. 99.9% of the time - this is a good thing! I’d hate to buy my favorite yogurt and have it taste different than I expect. But, for new food explorers who are only offered the same jar of baby food, it teaches them that this food they are eating is always going to taste the same exact way and be the same exact texture. So when your baby finally goes to eat some sweet potato with the family, they are in for a real surprise. By making your own sweet potato or other food for baby, he will learn that small variations are acceptable. As a mom myself, I totally get that making your baby every single meal isn’t feasible, but if you can pull it off for some meals or at least use this information to guide how you mix up what you offer baby, you’ll be setting him up for success!
My favorite: Beaba Babycook 4 in 1
Storage: OXO Tot Baby Blocks
Spoons- Choose spoons that are soft and comfortable on your little one’s teeth and gums. Look for a spoon with a small, flat bowl. Adult size spoons with large, deep bowls can be difficult for small mouths. Imagine trying to eat your next meal with a cooking spoon or shovel. Also look for spoons with a short handle - children have more control when using utensils with short handles than long ones
My favorite: Ezpz Tiny Spoon (or use NIKI10 for 10% off ezpz website)
Runner Up: Target First Spoon Cloud Island
Straw and Open Cups- Skip the sippy cup and go straight to a straw and open cup! Babies can begin to learn to drink from an open cup at around 6 months/when they are sitting independently. Drinking from an open cup and straw cup promotes a mature sucking pattern; whereas, drinking from a sippy cup utilizes the same infantile swallow pattern as drinking from a bottle
My favorites:
Honey Bear Straw Cup (If needing some additional support learning to drink from a straw)
Ezpz tiny open cup (or use NIKI10 for 10% off ezpz website)
Soft Wash Cloths + Bibs- Getting messy is a critical component of learning to eat. The tactile stimulation that your baby experiences while playing with food provides meaningful information to her brain. Wait until the end of the meal for any clean up!
Favorite Bibs: Mushie Silicone (can wash in dishwasher)
Favorite Washcloths: Washcloths
Plates and Bowls- There will come a time that your baby will love experimenting with gravity and throw his food and plates- be prepared with something durable!
Favorite Plates:
Mushie Silicone with dividers (can wash in dishwasher)
Tip: Use Dapple Dishwasher Pods because they are fragrance free. Avoid silicone plates smelling/tasting like dishwasher detergent
Solid Starts App - Look up how to safely serve any food to baby based on their age/skill level
Baby Led Wean Team First 100 Foods - Free one hour training course on how to safely start baby led weaning. Learn how to safely prepare foods for your baby, the difference between gagging and choking, and when to introduce allergenic foods. After taking the course, gain access to 100 first foods for baby checklist