When it’s time for your little one to make the transition from breast or bottle feeding to solid foods, there’s a lot to prepare for to help make the change as seamless as possible.
Your baby is ready to make the shift around 6 months of age once they’re showing the signs of readiness for solids. It’s important to learn about all the basics for introducing solids, including: which foods you’ll want to offer, how often, and how much. If you missed our Intro to Solids post, make sure to check it out here as a great start to your learning! We also have a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know for introducing solids that can be found here.
Aside from learning about the process, there are also great tools that will help you and your baby throughout the journey.
Here are our top 7 product must-haves for supporting your family in introducing solids to your baby.
1. An adjustable high chair
A good high chair is important for safety, to reduce the risk of choking, and to provide a comfortable eating experience for your little one. There are a couple of important things you want to keep in mind in choosing a high chair:
The highchair should keep baby in a upright seated position, rather than reclining
The highchair should have an adjustable footrest that baby’s feet can rest on
The highchair should have a safety harness to hold baby in place
Some of our favourites include the Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair that will grow with your baby, or the Stokke Clikk High Chair that offers great portability.
2. Long sleeve bibs
The right bibs are a must for keeping your little one clean and dry during messy meal times. You want to make sure that you have options that include key features such as: a comfortable material for your little one; waterproof to keep your baby dry; firm and adjustable closures; and an optional pouch or pocket to keep their lap clean as well. Some of our favourite options include the Loulou Lollipop Long Sleeve Waterproof Bibs, or the Oxo Roll Up Bibs.
3. Sectioned Feeding placements
A sectioned feeding placemat can be a great option for your table or your baby’s high chair tray. It can help to make it easier for your baby to pick up foods and to (somewhat) keep foods on their tray. If they’re practising with utensils, it also provides a lip to help them learn to use a spoon or fork. We love the EZPZ Mini Mat, which also suctions itself to the surface so that it stays put.
4. Bowls or plates with suction
Bowls, plates, and placemats with suction are also great to have on hand, especially if you plan on feeding your baby at the table rather than using a highchair tray. The suction will help to keep them in place, and we love options that use food-grade silicone for safety and easy clean up. The Mushie silicone suction bowls, plates, and placements are perfect for starting off on solids.
5. Feeding utensils for learning
It’s a great idea to start your baby with age-appropriate utensils early on in their feeding journey. This can help them to develop their dexterity, fine motor skills, and support them in becoming an independent feeder. A learning tool such as the NumNum GOOtensil Pre-spoon can be a great stepping stone for your baby. They are very lightweight, easy to grip onto, and have a flathead design meaning that there is no wrong way to hold it. Another great option is the Bumkins Silicone Chewtensil. The short handles will fit your baby’s grip well, and they have protective collars to help prevent gagging or choking as your little one learns to use utensils.
6. Baby-friendly open or straw cups
Sippy cups are a go-to as they prevent spills and can offer convenience. However, they may lead to your baby drinking more which can cause them to not be as hungry for food and can increase the risk of tooth decay (even before your baby's teeth come in). For introducing fluids to your baby, it’s recommended to use an open cup. It is helpful to start off with a cup size that’s appropriate for your little one, so that they can wrap their hands around it such as the EZPZ Tiny Cup. A straw cup is another alternative that is recommended, such as the Nouka Silicone Straw Cup.
7. Tools for making baby foods
A tool for making baby foods is a completely optional product if you are choosing to make baby foods at home. An option like the Beaba Babycook Babyfood Maker can cook and puree foods in one machine, which can add a lot of convenience.
Once you have the right tools to get your little one started on solid foods, it’s a great time to check in with a registered dietitian. They can help to make sure that your baby is getting the right balance of nutrients from the foods that are being offered. You can schedule a 15-minute complimentary meet-and-greet call with our dietitian to learn more.
**This information is provided for informational and educational purposes. PUSH Mama Care does not receive any incentives or compensation for external product links in this content.