Baby's first steps with solids...

But that doesn't mean you won't have anything to worry about... many newborns suffer from reflux or have digestion problems. If your baby cries a lot or seems to have strong stomach pain, it is important to talk to your paediatrician about it. The Cocoonababy can be of great help in this situation. It limits gastric reflux and can help soothe your baby. You can use the Cocoonababy to the age of 4-5 months (or when your baby starts rolling).

When you feel that your baby is ready for solids, this is the beginning of a new era….

You might have already read heaps of books about how to become “Mother of the Year” by preparing delicious home-made food. But if you're like me, reading all these books might have confused rather than enlightened you! Each book swears by a different type of food to introduce first, and in the end, it's easy to get lost in the middle of all these recommendations.

Having been through this with my three babies, I have learned that the starting point is to start SIMPLE and follow one book that your trust. The one I chose was Your Baby’s First Food by Béaba.

This is what they recommend from the age of 6 months:

• Morning: Breastfeed (or bottle of milk).
• Lunch: Puree with one vegetable and always apple as a base. A combination like apple mixed with carrot, pumpkin, pear or banana helps your baby get used to new flavours. You can also add potato. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6 (which supports the formation of almost all the new cells in your baby’s body) and potassium. Potatoes also increase the consistency of your puree. Blandine Vie and Henri Bouchet suggest introducing an animal-based protein like beef, veal or a lean white fish twice a week, but only 20g at a time. You can also offer desert or a little bit of milk before napping.
• Mid-afternoon: Fruit puree or milk.
• Evening: Milk. You can also add baby cereals. If your baby is still hungry you can offer vegetable stock with tapioca.

Try to replace salt with aromatic herbs and avoid sugar.

Although your baby may be more adventurous with his food and may love to try new flavours, it is important to be aware that there are some foods that shouldn't part of his diet until the age of 1: 

• Honey can contain a bacteria that can damage your baby's intestines, leading to a rare syndrome called infant botulism. Honey is also a type of sugar, which can be detrimental for your baby's emerging teeth.
• Some types of fish such as shark, swordfish, or marlin may contain traces of mercury. This can affect your baby's growing nervous system. Also, don't give your baby raw shellfish, to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
• Uncooked or lightly cooked eggs: make sure eggs are cooked thoroughly, with both the white and yolk solid.
• Low-fat, low-calorie, and high-fibre food: these aren't suitable for your baby. Your baby needs high-energy foods.
• Whole nuts: don’t give whole nuts to your child until he or she reaches five years, because these could cause choking.

Another important aspect when it comes to introducing solids to your baby's diet is to have the right tools:

• Cutlery set
• Flat bib
• Sippy Cup
• Steamer (For optimal quality and nutrient retention)
• Bags for refrigeration or ice tray (maximum storage: 3 months)

Beaba is a really good brand. They have a cool and innovative range of products to feed baby.

Finally, remember to trust yourself, take your time and you will see that after a few attempts, you will be developing a routine that works for you and your baby. Preparing meals and feeding your baby will then become a really enjoyable moment for both you and your baby!

We would love to hear about your personal stories. Please don't hesitate to share them in our comments section below.

NOTE: Please consult your doctor before introducing any new food to your baby. The information given here is for guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice.