Your Babys Food Journey Easy Step by Step Guide

BA BY ’ S F I R S T F O O D S
YOUR BABY’S FOOD JOURNEY

easy step by step guide
Includes:
SPECIAL 30 DAY
STARTER GUIDE &
HOW TO MAKE THE
PERFECT PURÉE
Prepared exclusively for ntayuceda@gmail.com Transaction: 10698

Contents
Introduction...................................3
Is my baby ready to
start solids? ................................4
Where do I start?...........................5
Homemade or Store Bought?. . ......6

INTRODUCTION
What equipment
will I need?.................................7
STAGE THREE................................ 29
Feeding Stages: At A Glance. . ......9
Indicators your baby could be
Suggested Suitable Foods...........10 ready to start: Stage Three......30
What you need to know..............31
STAGE ONE.................................. 15 Inspiration. . ...................................32
How to make a purée . . ................17 STAGE FOUR................................. 33
First Month Meal Guide.. ..............19 Indicators your baby could be

ready to start: Stage Four........34

STAGE TWO. . .................................23
Inspiration. . ...................................36
Indicators your baby could be
ready to start: Stage Two.........26
What you need to know..............27 Recipes.. .......................................37
Inspiration. . ...................................28 Frequently asked questions.........43
page 2
Introduction
Welcome to Sprout’s Your Baby’s Food Journey; a resource designed to guide
you through the initial steps of introducing solids to your little one. This is an
exciting milestone as your baby begins to explore new tastes and textures
and continues to develop in so many ways… As our children’s caregivers it
is our responsibility to provide them with the nourishment they need to grow
into thriving, healthy adults. The first two years of your baby’s life is a time of
exceptional change in many ways, but in particular their diet, as they transition
from being fully milk fed (either breast or formula or a combination of the two)
to one consisting of a variety of foods. Good nutrition during this time has a
greater importance than any other because of the effect on brain growth,
development of the nervous system, overall growth and development of your
baby and their future health. And arguably just as important, is helping them
INTRODUCTION
develop a love and enjoyment of good healthy food.
So... where do you begin? What foods should you introduce first? How do you
cook and prepare them? When do you introduce them? What steps can you
take to ensure your baby remains open to trying many foods and flavours in the
future? What do you do if your baby rejects foods you offer? What role does
baby’s milk continue to play?
This resource makes it easy by pulling together answers to all these questions
(and more( whilst guiding you through your baby’s food journey with
information, tips, and recipes to help you along the way.
We know that the first few weeks of this new phase can seem daunting as you
consider what foods to introduce first and when, so to help make it easy, we’ve
included a 30 day easy to follow introductory plan with recipes and guides on
how to prepare these foods for your baby. This easy to follow
plan has been reviewed by a registered nutritionist* and will
help set you up to support your baby on a path of healthy
eating and good nutrition for the rest of their lives.
*This is a practical resource of suitable foods, preparation

information, advice and tips for overcoming and avoiding
hurdles whilst introducing solids to your little one. Whilst not
specifically a nutrition guide, it has been reviewed by an
experienced registered New Zealand nutritionist and is in line
with the New Zealand Ministry of Health Guidelines to give
you peace of mind as you embark on this new journey.
page 3
Is my baby ready to start solids?

Every baby is different, however somewhere around the age of 6 months (but
not before 4 months) your little one will start to show signs to indicate they are
ready to start solids. If you can tick all or most of the points below, it could be
time to start offering solids.
INTRODUCTION
□□HEAD SUPPORT - my baby can hold their head up and sit with support
□□MOUTH - my baby opens their mouth when a spoon of food is offered and
their tongue doesn’t stick out
□□INTEREST - my baby shows an interest in watching me and / or others eating

□□CONTROL - my baby can keep food in their mouth and swallow
Tips:
EAT IN FRONT OF YOUR BABY – you are their food role model, but so often we get
caught up in looking after them and it isn’t until they are sleeping that we stop
to grab a snack for ourselves. Eating in front of your baby will help them learn
about food.
PREMATURE BABIES - if your baby was born prematurely, different indicators and
time lines will apply; speak to your health care provider for guidance.
page 4
Where do I start?
Once you can tick all or most of the points on page 4, you’re ready to start
introducing solids to your baby.
Phase one, ‘The First Taste’, is about getting your baby used to a smooth
purée texture and exposing them to different tastes.
Which technique is right for me?

There are two main techniques to choose from; baby-led weaning (placing
similar meals to what you are eating in front of your baby and letting them
decide what they want to eat, using their hands, themselves), and spoon
feeding (preparing nutritious foods at a suitable purée consistency for your
baby’s age and stage and spoon feeding them).
INTRODUCTION
Both have their benefits and constraints so for this resource, we’ve incorporated
both methods; helping to ensure your baby receives adequate nutrition whilst
encouraging them to develop their motor skills as they explore suitable finger
foods.
Establishing a routine
If you don’t already have one, introducing solids can be a great time to start
establishing a routine, as you begin to offer food to your little one at similar times
each day; a good meal to begin with is ‘lunch’ after their milk feed in the late
morning or around the middle of the day. Once this mealtime is well established
and they are eating a good amount of food at this time, you can gradually
include ‘dinner’, then ‘breakfast’ and lastly a morning and afternoon snack for
older babies and toddlers. See the Frequently Asked Questions section on page
43 for more information about meal times.
What about milk?

Baby’s milk (breast or formula) should remain the main source of food for your
baby until around 8 months of age; start each meal with this and then offer your
baby their solids around 30 minutes later. You could try offering solids straight
after their milk feed but you may find they are more willing to try food with a little
more of a break in between. After 8 months of age, whilst baby’s milk remains a
very important part of your little one’s diet, solid food can gradually be offered
before their milk.
page 5
Homemade or Store Bought?

In many ways, we are fortunate to live in a time where there are so many
pre-prepared meals for babies and if you choose wisely by looking for healthier
options and reading food labels carefully, they do have a place in helping to
juggle feeding baby with our busy lives.
However, should making food for your little one yourself be the path you choose,
it does come with many benefits:
»» You know exactly what you’re feeding them.
»» It can be more economical than buying pre-packaged pouches or jars.

INTRODUCTION
»» You can choose your own ingredient combinations for purées.
»» Your baby will become used to eating the same foods the rest of your family
enjoys, in the format suitable for their age and stage.
»» It can help pave the way for enjoying meals made from scratch as they grow.
»» It is exciting to prepare meals for your baby and see the gorgeous reactions
when they try something new or learn to love something you make.
page 6
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What equipment will I need?

Having decided to prepare your own food for your baby at home, there are
a few basic tools and equipment that you will need to make the task quick
and easy. Most of these you will already own, but any extras can be picked up
relatively cost-effectively from homeware stores and supermarkets.
INTRODUCTION
Food preparation
»» POTS AND PANS
»» BLENDER - a stick blender is often the easiest as it allows you to purée foods in
the pot they have been cooked in (saves dishes!).
»» SIEVE - the finer, the better; great in the early days to help make more fibrous
foods smoother.
»» POTATO MASHER OR FORK - to use when your baby moves from smooth purées
to food with a little more texture.
»» ICE CUBE TRAYS, WITH LIDS - once you have made your purées, they can be
frozen into ice cube trays which are a great serving size to then easily grab
out of the freezer and mix and match as your baby begins to eat a greater
quantity. Buying trays with lids (these can be found online or in most local baby
supply stores) will help protect the food from freezer burn and contamination.
Alternatively you can also use cling film to cover your trays.
»» RESEALABLE BAGS AND PERMANENT MARKER / PEN - once the food is frozen
into cubes, pop them out into resealable bags, label and date them, and
store in the freezer.
page 7
Feeding
»» FEEDING ACCESSORIES - there are lots of baby bowls and feeding accessories
on the market, but other than an appropriate spoon (see ‘utensils’ below) to
feed your baby with, you don’t need special bowls for baby food. In the early
days, often a small microwave-proof ramekin or bowl you already have will be
the easiest thing to use for heating your baby’s food.
»» UTENSILS - in the beginning many babies find it difficult to lick food from a
spoon because of their thrust tongue reflex used for sucking; try using a shallow
plastic spoon initially (found in most baby supply stores), holding it up to their
lips and pouring the purée off little by little, or if this isn’t working use a clean
finger and let your baby suck for a few mouthfuls.
INTRODUCTION
»» BIBS - you may wish to save the stylish bibs you may be using during the day
and have on hand a few good plastic backed bibs to use when feeding your
baby their solids. Consider sleeved bibs for keeping clothes completely clean
and darker colours so the stains aren’t as noticeable and are easier to get
out. Feeding your baby can be a messy business!
»» FRESH FOOD FEEDER - available at all baby stores and

supermarkets; our tip is to look for one with a single handle
rather than a ring and with a silicone receptacle for the food
that holds its shape, rather than netting which can also be a
little trickier to clean. This can make it easier for your baby to
operate themselves while they are still developing fine motor er ~
ed
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»» HIGH CHAIR - there are so many options when it comes to high chairs - from
free-standing to ones that attach to your kitchen bench or table. You will
likely find that feeding your baby is messy business so regardless of the type of
chair you choose, we strongly suggest looking for something that is, first and
foremost, easy to clean! Those that are mostly plastic and with the fewer holes
and gaps, the better!
»» MESSY MAT - make meal times easier on yourself; invest in a plastic mat to go
under your baby’s highchair to catch the crumbs and sticky spills they are likely
to create. Then, come clean up, all you have to do is give it a quick shake
outside and a wipe and you’re done!
page 8
Feeding Stages: At A Glance

Your baby’s food journey and how they consume solids will evolve as they are
exposed to new tastes and learn to chew and process solid food. The following is
a snap shot of the four noticeable stages they will pass through.
Stage One
Age Around 6 months
Food consistency Smooth
Number of meals 1-2

Baby’s milk Offer before solids
More information Page 15
Stage Two
INTRODUCTION
Age Around 7 months

Food consistency Continue to purée heavier textured foods (e.g. meats)
but where possible, mash cooked fruits and vegetables
with a fork or vegetable masher
Number of meals 2-3
Baby’s milk Offer before solids; until your baby is around 8-9 months
Stage Three
Age Around 8-9 months
Food consistency Minced or chopped (very chunky), together with soft
finger foods
Number of meals 3 main meals, plus snacks
Baby’s milk Solids before baby’s milk
Stage Four
Age From 12 months
Food consistency Vary the textures you offer your toddler (soft, hard, juicy,
creamy etc)
Number of meals 3 main meals, plus snacks
Toddler’s milk Solids before toddler’s milk
page 9
Suggested Suitable Foods

The following is a starting guide to indicate which foods are more suitable to
feed your baby initially; keeping in mind preparation will vary depending on your
baby’s age and stage. Take the time to read through the information relating to
the different stages in conjunction with this section to ensure your are confident
before offering new foods. Once your baby reaches Stage Four they can enjoy
all foods.
Stages Notes
1 2 3
Vegetables SUITABLY PREPARED FOR EACH STAGE

Aubergine
Beetroot
INTRODUCTION
Broccoli Can cause wind in some younger

babies
Cabbage Can cause wind in some younger

babies
Capsicum
Carrot
Cauliflower
Courgette
Cucumber Finger food
Green beans
Kale
Kumara
Leek
Mushrooms
Onion Added with other foods in
suitable texture, depending on
stage
Parsnip Hard core removed
Peas Frozen (cooked) optional
Pumpkin
Potato
Silverbeet
Spinach
Sweetcorn Frozen (cooked) optional
page 10
Yams
Stages Notes
1 2 3
Fruits: SUITABLY PREPARED FOR EACH STAGE

Apple
Apricot
Avocado, ripe Smoothly mashed, uncooked
for Stage Two then can offer as
finger food
Banana, ripe Smoothly mashed, uncooked

for Stage Two then can offer as
finger food
Blueberry Must be cooked and puréed if

INTRODUCTION
using frozen during Stage Two

and sliced in half if serving fresh to
avoid choking in later stages
Feijoa
Grapes Sliced lengthwise into quarters or
smaller to avoid choking
Guava
Kiwifruit Especially good if a little
constipated
Kiwifruit, golden A little milder in taste, some

babies prefer this ahead of green
kiwifruit initially
Mandarin Seedless or seeds removed
Mango
Nectarine
Orange
Pawpaw
Peach
Pear
Pineapple Hard core removed
Raspberry Sieve and purée to remove seeds
Rockmelon
Strawberry Sieve and purée to remove seeds
Tomato
Watermelon Seeds removed
page 11
Stages Notes
1 2 3
Lean Meat IMPORTANT FOR BABY’S DEPLETING IRON STORES (SEE

FAQ) AFTER 6 MONTHS - WELL COOKED AND THEN SUITABLY PREPARED
FOR EACH STAGE
Beef
Chicken
Fish Possible allergenic food -
introduce slowly from 6 months;
you may wish to start with a mild
tasting white fish then progress to
salmon, tuna and other varieties
INTRODUCTION
as your baby gets used to the

taste
Lamb
Pork
Cereals
Iron-fortified baby rice or It is optional to offer your baby
rice as a first food but not
infant cereal necessary; it can also be used
to thicken very runny purées
if required, or with fruits as a
breakfast option
Porridge, oats
Wholegrain muesli, rye Not suitable until your baby is 12
months or older
cereals
Dairy and Eggs

Butter
Eggs Possible allergenic food -
introduce slowly from six months;
well cooked (not runny), e.g.
scrambled
Cheese
Milk Use in cooked foods (such as
custard), not as an alternative
to your baby’s milk (breast /
formula) until they are at least 12
months old
Yoghurt Look for plain or unsweetened

where possible page 12
Stages Notes
1 2 3
Grains, Legumes, Pasta and Bread

Beans Prepared appropriately E.g. navy
beans, kidney beans. Can cause
wind in some younger babies
Bread See recipe on page 38 for

homemade rusks, or sandwiches
for older babies; avoid bread with
seeds / nuts / grains for younger
babies
Chickpeas
Crumpets
Pasta Rissoni is a great pasta for
younger babies; it is nice and
small and mixes in well with meat
and vegetables (from Stage Two
onwards). Larger types of pasta
INTRODUCTION
(e.g. spirals) make great finger

food for an older baby. Ensure
pasta is well cooked before
giving to your baby.
Lentils E.g. red lentils
Rice Boiled until very soft, but not

puréed
Quinoa
Spreads
Honey Not suitable until your baby is at
least 12 months old
Jam Contains lots of sugar; use

sparingly
Marmite / Vegemite Use sparingly as high in salt
Nutella / chocolate High sugar content
spreads
Peanut Butter Possible allergenic food -
introduce smooth variety slowly
from 6 months
NOTE: The Ministry of Health in New Zealand specifies salty meats, including
coned beef, tinned fish and whole nuts are not to be offered before 5 years of
age; and to avoid foods with added fat, sugar and salt and drinks containing
alcohol, coffee, cordials, juice, soft drinks, tea and other drinks with caffeine.
page 13
What about herbs and spices, and seasoning?

Herbs and spices can be a great way of adding flavour to your baby’s food
without adding salt, pepper or sugar which is not necessary or recommended.
Introducing interesting flavours while they are young is a great way to add
variety to your baby’s diet and help foster an adventurous eater as they grow.
OUR TIPS:
»» Wait until your baby is well established on solids; from around Stage Two
»» Like all other foods, introduce one at a time and watch for any adverse
reactions.
»» Start by adding a little amount and build it up slowly.

INTRODUCTION
»» Dried herbs and spices are generally much stronger and concentrated than
fresh; both are fine for baby however dried should be used more sparingly
initially and when ground are a great option for creating nice smooth purées;
fresh herbs are generally higher in antioxidants and are perfect to use whilst
the food is cooking.
»» Be sensible about the type of herbs and spices you offer. Spices such as
cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, garlic, turmeric, ginger, coriander, dill and
cumin have many health benefits; from antioxidant to anti-inflammatory
properties and other benefits too. However, hot spices like chilli and cayenne
pepper are best left until your baby is older; around 1 year or more.
SOME SUGGESTED COMBINATIONS:
»» Lamb, peas, yoghurt and mint
»» Chicken, pumpkin, spinach and cumin
»» Carrots, chickpea and tumeric
»» Beef, broccoli, potato and rosemary
page 14
Stage One: The First Taste

STAGE ONE: The First Taste
The First Taste
Stage One
Around 6 months
(not before 4 months or after 7 months)
When your baby can tick most or all of the indicators on page 4, it’s
time to start introducing solids. This is usually around 6 months, but not
before 4 months or after 7 months (see Frequently Asked Questions on
page 43 for more information).
page 15
What you need to know

»» OFFER BREAST MILK OR FORMULA FIRST, THEN SOLIDS - at this stage baby’s milk is
still the most important food.
»» TIMING - start offering solids around lunch time (before a longer afternoon nap,
if your baby takes one), then dinner, and finally breakfast (most likely at Stage
Two). The reason breakfast is introduced last is because the morning milk feed
is often your baby’s biggest of the day so it isn’t until they are quite a bit bigger
that they are ready for breakfast as well. Try and feed your baby their solids
roughly an hour (or no shorter than 30 minutes) before putting them down to
sleep to allow a little time for the food to settle in their tummy.
»» QUANTITY - start with ½ - 2 teaspoons and gradually increase to about 3-4

teaspoons per meal, up to half a cup when they are well established on solids;
be guided by your baby. Once they reach around half a cup, it is time to
introduce a second meal.
»» CONSISTENCY - purée foods to a very soft, smooth and moist consistency.

Expressed breast milk or formula can be used to make the food runny enough
for your baby in these initial stages, as well as the leftover cooking water.
»» PREPARATION - remove skins, seeds and pips from fruits / vegetables before
you cook and/or purée them. First foods should be bland; there is no need to
add seasonings or sweeteners to your baby’s food.
»» TIME SAVING - save time by preparing and freezing cubes of single flavours
in bulk, ready to heat and eat; this allows you to quickly and easily mix and
match foods for great variety in baby’s diet without having to make an
excessive amount of combinations that might not be a hit, and also means
your baby’s food has the ‘ready to go’ convenience similar to bought food.
»» NEW FOODS - introduce one new food every 2-4 days; new foods can be
mixed with other foods you have already tried with your baby to provide a
variety of flavours. It may take several tries for your baby to take to a food; if
they don’t like something continue to try three times before waiting a few days
and trying again, or perhaps introduce it again with another food they have
accepted.
»» MONITOR - always watch your baby while they are eating.

page 16
How to make a purée

Fruits and vegetables Meats
1. Remove skin, seeds and pips of Meats are a little different to fruits
food and cut up into small even- and vegetables when it comes to
sized pieces. purées and the method is different
depending on the type of cut you
2. Put into a pot and just cover with
choose.
water.
FOR QUICK COOKING CUTS
3. Bring to the boil, and continue
(e.g. steak, chicken or fish):
to simmer until food is cooked
and soft (test with a fork, when 1. Cut meat into even sized pieces
ready it should be soft and easy and remove any skin, sinew/
to push through) gristle and excess fat.
4. Drain water (retain some for later 2. Put into a small fry pan and just
to create desired consistency). cover meat with water.
5. Use stick blender, food processor 3. Place onto the stove top on
or pass through fine sieve to a low heat and simmer until
purée. meat is well cooked through
and tender, turning once during
6. Mix with your baby’s usual
cooking. Watch pan carefully to
milk (breast milk or formula) or
ensure liquid doesn’t evaporate
retained cooking water to make
- add more water if necessary as
smooth.
you want a decent amount to
remain after cooking.
TIPS:
4. Remove from heat and lift meat
Blending hot food in a sealed blender
can result in the lid exploding off as
out from pan and place into
the hot contents are under pressure. a bowl with a small amount of
Wait until food has cooled a little cooking liquid.
before puréeing, or alternatively use
a stick blender. 5. Use stick blender or food
processor to purée, adding in
Starchy vegetables (potatoes, kumara additional cooking liquid from

etc) can become ‘gluey’ when pan to reach desired smooth
excessively blitzed in a blender. For and moist consistency.
these vegetables, try a short blend, or
mashing and passing through a sieve.
page 17
FOR SLOW COOKING CUTS

(e.g. shanks, shin, diced, blade,
gravy, oxtail, brisket, chuck steak,
shoulder, or larger cuts such as lamb
leg or whole chicken):
1. Preheat oven to 150˚C.
2. Remove any skin, sinew/gristle

and excess fat from the meat.
3. Put into an oven dish and just

cover with water. Cover with foil

or tight fitting lid.
4. Place in oven for approximately

3 hours, until meat is very soft
and tender and falling off bone.
You should be able to pull meat
apart using two forks.
5. Remove from oven and lift meat

from dish. Separate bone away
(and any sinew/gristle that TIPS:
remains) and place into a bowl Getting the desired smooth

consistency from blending meat
with a small amount of cooking
can be a little harder than fruits or
liquid.
vegetables - do this slowly, adding in
the retained cooking liquid to assist
6. Use stick blender or food
and using a spoon whilst the blender
processor to purée, adding in
is off to clear the meat from around
additional cooking liquid from
the blades.
the dish to reach desired smooth
and moist consistency.
Once your baby moves on to later
stages, you can ‘pull’ or shred your
7. Alternatively for a slow cooker,
well cooked, soft and tender meats
follow instructions above and
for baby rather than pureeing with
leave to cook on low for 6-8
a blender, adding in cooking liquid
hours or until meat is cooked (like a gravy) to reach a suitable
and tender as above. consistency and keep the meat juicy.
page 18
First Month Meal Guide

The following is a guide to help you through this first month of introducing solids
to your baby when they are around 6 months old (not younger than 4 months).
Each of the foods suggested can be substituted with another from the list on
page 10 - the aim of the below guide is to show you how and when to introduce
new flavours, as well as how to mix and match different foods to help your baby
enjoy and get accustomed to a variety of tastes. Remember, variety is the key
when it comes to your baby’s food journey.
Your baby’s tummy may take a wee while to get used to all these new foods
as their little body learns to digest more than just their milk. To help make this
transition as easy as possible, try introducing new foods in the middle of the day
and allow roughly an hour before their next sleep to give it time to start working
through their little systems.
TIPS:
Baby’s first foods are best kept mild
and plain; you do not need to season
with salt and pepper, sweeten, or
cook in oil for example.
Help your baby feel safe and relaxed

when introducing the first taste
of solids; you could put them in a
comfortable upright position and feed
them facing you so they can see you
easily.
page 19
Week One
The first week is all about your baby getting a taste for something new and a
new experience (spoon feeding), rather than giving them “a meal”. If they love
it, you can feed them a couple of teaspoons up to about a ‘cube’. Don’t force
feed if they’ve had enough, but sometimes you need to get a wee taste on their
lips until they realise what it is and start opening their mouth.
Remember - this is very new for your baby. They’ll often take a number of tries
on different days to begin to like some foods - don’t be put off trying again after
one attempt!
Some babies will take to solids very quickly and easily, if this is the case, be
guided by your baby as to how much they want to eat.
MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN

Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Potato Potato Pumpkin Carrot
Purée Purée Purée Purée Purée & Potato Purée
Purée
TIPS: Baby rice is fine as a first food,

but there is no need to just feed
Unlike bottles and other items used
your baby this - well cooked and
for feeding your baby milk (especially
puréed vegetables and fruits are
important in the first three months
great first foods and often much
of life), you don’t need to sterilise
more enjoyable. Once your baby is
feeding tools for solids.
over 6 months, some meat can be
introduced too; this will provide them
with the iron they need in their diet.
page 20
Week Two
The second week is about combining foods together, whilst continuing to
introduce new foods.

Potato Pumpkin Apple Carrot Potato & Kumara Kumara
& Carrot & Carrot Purée & Apple Pumpkin Purée & Apple
Purée Purée Purée Purée (if fibrous,
Purée
pass
through a
sieve)
TIP:
Try fresh soft foods such as soft and
juicy fresh pears, nectarine, peach,
stewed apple, fresh watermelon
etc. in a feeder. This is great for self
feeding practice, entertainment and
good for teething as your baby can
bite down on the feeder. Ice chips or
frozen baby’s milk can also be used
as a cooling option in the feeder for
sore gums.
page 21
Week Three
Continue introducing different flavour combinations and new foods. Consistency
of the purée should remain the same as weeks one and two.

Pumpkin Potato Pear Pumpkin Carrot Potato & Potato
& Purée Purée Purée & Pear Kumara Purée
Kumara Purée Purée
Purée
TIP:
If your food is a little bit too runny, you
can thicken it slightly with some baby
rice.
Homemade bread rusks are ideal for

babies to hold and chew and great
for sore gums too.
See recipe on page 38.
page 22
Week Four
If your baby is younger than 6 months, continue to feed a combination of fruits

and vegetables each day; once your baby is around six months small amounts
of meat can be introduced with their vegetables.

Mixed Beef & Beef & Mixed Kumara Beef, Mixed
veg/ Pumpkin Potato veg/ & Beef Carrot veg/
fruit (any Purée Purée fruit (any Purée & Apple fruit (any
combo) combo) Purée combo)
Purée Purée Purée
TIP:
To make sure your baby’s food is at a
suitable temperature, test it against
your top lip; it should be comfortably
warm.
page 23
After 30 days, what next?

After your baby’s first 30 days on solids, depending on their age, readiness and
how much they are now eating quantity-wise, you will either move straight onto
Stage Two, or continue to offer your baby a variety of foods and combinations
of foods from the Stage One first foods list on page 10, introducing new offerings
(in particular, different meats) every 2-3 days.
Once your baby is eating a decent amount during their lunchtime solids (¼-½
cup), it is time to offer solids a second time during their day, at dinner time.
page 24
Stage Two: Mashing It Up

STAGE TWO: Mashing It Up
Mashing It Up
Stage Two
Around 7 months
Once you have built up to offering your baby purée twice a day,
and they are showing some of the readiness signs, it is time to start
introducing different textures and increasing the amount and type of
food offered.
page 25
Indicators your baby could be ready to

start: Stage Two
This stage is all about introducing slightly more texture into your baby’s food. As
soon as you think your baby is ready, we recommend moving on to this stage,
as the transition can become a little trickier if they stay on completely smooth
purées (Stage One) too long.
If you can tick all or most of the indicators below, it may be time to move on to
Stage Two.
□□SITTING - my baby can sit up without support.

□□COORDINATION - my baby is reaching for and able to pick up and bring
food to their mouth (e.g. rusks).
□□TEETH - my baby has some teeth, and / or is quite capable of managing soft
lumps with their gums.
□□MOUTH - my baby is starting to learn to bite and chew, and ‘gumming’

teething toys.
□□EATING - my baby can keep thick purées in their mouth and readily opens
their mouth for food when offered.
page 26

»» CONTINUE TO OFFER BREAST MILK OR FORMULA FIRST - until your baby is around
8 or 9 months old.
»» OFFER A WIDER VARIETY OF FOODS TO YOUR BABY - most fruits and vegetables
your family enjoys can be prepared in a suitable way for your baby to enjoy
too.
»» CONTINUE TO PURÉE HEAVIER TEXTURED FOODS - (e.g. meats) but where

possible, mash cooked fruits and vegetables with a fork or vegetable masher.
»» CHANGE THE CONSISTENCY TO A THICKER PURÉE - small soft lumps and mashed
foods; introducing texture helps teach your baby to chew and develops
muscles for speech and you may be surprised how much your baby can eat,
even if they have no teeth.
»» WATER - offer water to your baby in a sippy cup several times at every meal.
Don’t worry if they don’t drink much, or if they spit it out. At this stage it is just
good for them to get used to a sippy cup and the taste of water.
»» FINGER FOODS - introduce finger foods for your baby to sample while feeding.
»» IRON - by 7-8 months, your baby’s iron needs have increased and it is
important to introduce and include a range of iron rich foods in their diet.
page 27
Inspiration
Continue to be guided by the Suitable Foods List on page 10, offering a range of
new foods and different flavour combinations. Remember, if your baby refuses a
food, continue to offer it three consecutive times, as you may find they change
their mind. You could also try offering it together with a food they happily
accept.
Any combination of foods from page 10 is suitable; you can even mix fruits with
meat and vegetables. Try to include some carbohydrate and protein for iron in
the meal where possible at least once a day.
Purée Combinations
»» Apple and blueberry
»» Beef, kumara and spinach
»» Beef, lentils, pumpkin and spinach
»» Carrot, peas and potato
»» Chicken, chickpeas and spinach
»» Lamb, kumara and courgette
»» Pork, apple and kumara
»» Lamb, peas and potato
»» Rissoni pasta, cauliflower and a
little cheese
Finger Foods
»» Cauliflower florets, steamed
»» Carrot sticks, steamed until soft but
still hold their shape
»» Courgette sticks, steamed until soft
but still hold their shape
»» Chopped pieces of well cooked
TIP:
meat (a good size for your baby to
Fresh and juicy foods in a feeder can
hold)
be great finger foods for your baby at
»» Soft fresh fruits (e.g. very ripe pear,
this stage.
peach etc), or steam slightly to
soften
»» Toast rusks (recipe on page 38)
either plain or with a little marmite
page 28
& cheese
Stage Three: Chop Chop

STAGE THREE: Chop Chop
Chop Chop
Stage Three
From 8-9 months
New textures, flavours and self-feeding with finger food.
page 29


start: Stage Three
By Stage Three, your baby will be well established on solids and by now will likely
be showing a strong interest in food. When your baby is around 8-9 months,
it is time to increase the texture further to more of a ‘chopped’ consistency;
although food should still be served to your baby soft.
Stage Three.
□□MOVEMENT - my baby is learning to crawl and may be pulling themselves up

to stand.
□□MOUTH - my baby can bite and chew well, even if they have no teeth.
□□INTEREST - my baby is interested in a range of foods and textures.
□□ASSISTANCE - my baby needs some help to eat.
page 30

»» MILK - solids can now be offered before breast milk or formula.
»» WATER - offer regularly in a sippy cup with meals and if needed in between
meals.
»» TEXTURE - the consistency can now be minced and chopped (very chunky),
along with finger foods (still soft).
»» SELF FEEDING - you could encourage your baby to start feeding themselves -
e.g. slices of well-cooked meat, cooked vegetable pieces, bread and fruit. Or,
give them their own spoon to practise with while you are also spoon feeding
them.
»» VARIETY - the best way to give your baby good variety in their diet, is for them
to have the same/similar food to what the rest of the family eats. Timing can
be tricky, so it can be a great idea to save a few bits and pieces from your
meal to give to your baby the following day, either puréed/mashed up, or as
finger food to sample while/after they have their main meal.
page 31
Inspiration
Try and keep your little one interested in meal times by continuing to offer new
and interesting foods; a combination of chunky purées and finger foods to help
develop their fine motor skills. We hope the following ideas provide you with a
little inspiration. Remember, there are no ‘bad’ combinations; keep changing
these up for interest.
Main Meal Combinations

»» Beef, pumpkin, parsnip and broccoli
»» Cauliflower, beans, carrot and kumara
»» Chicken, broccoli, potato and carrot

»» Fish, peas, and pumpkin
»» Lamb, kumara and spinach
»» Potato, fish, peas and a little cheese
»» Pork, apple, broccoli and pumpkin
Finger Foods
»» Avocado Slices
»» Banana
»» Corn fritters (recipe on page 39)
»» Grapes, cut lengthwise
»» Kiwi fruit
»» Mini muffins (recipe on page 42)
»» Poached chicken, sliced
»» Well-cooked slices of steak
»» Small sandwiches with appropriate spread e.g. marmite, peanut butter,
hummus, mashed avocado
page 32
Stage Four: Toddler Modification

STAGE FOUR: Toddler Modification
Toddler Modification
Stage Four
From 12 months
This stage is about giving your toddler foods which are very similar to
the family meals; modified for your toddler.
page 33

start: Stage Four
In this stage, things become a little easier as your toddler can now begin
enjoying the same foods as you, just modified slightly to meet their developing
motor skills and abilities. So whilst you likely would have already been feeding
your little one similar ingredients to what you usually eat, you can now just
prepare a little extra of what you’re having for your toddler.
Stage Four.
□□CONTROL - my baby can easily use their hands to feed themselves and is
showing interest using a spoon (albeit probably with limited success at this
stage!).
□□WATER - my baby can drink from a sippy or straw cup by holding it with two
hands.
□□TEETH - my baby may have molar teeth starting to appear (larger teeth at
the back of the mouth, used to chew and grind food).
TIP:
Prepare a little extra dinner each
night for yourself and rest of the family
and put aside to feed your baby the
following night; this will help avoid the
stress of trying to get everyone’s meal
ready together. That’s one less thing
to worry about at an already busy
time of the day!
page 34

»» LIQUIDS - milk or water can be offered between meals; your toddler will be
drinking much more proficiently now from a cup or drink bottle (you may like to
choose one with a straw or spout where the liquid flows more freely and they
may also be learning to drink from a cup with assistance).
»» MILK - continue to breast/formula feed and/or offer up to 2 cups of whole

cow’s milk per day; the more breast/formula milk your toddler has, the less
whole milk they need.
»» TEXTURE - vary the food textures you offer your toddler (for example, soft, hard,
juicy, creamy...).
»» FAMILY MEALS - encourage your toddler to eat family meals; you may need
to cut up larger pieces of food to make it easier for your toddler to eat but let
them explore the food and enjoy what you are eating.
»» QUANTITY - toddlers often eat small meals regularly so ensure they are nutritious
with a good variety of foods offered.
»» VARIETY - offer your toddler a variety of nutritious foods each day from each
of the four major food groups (vegetables and fruit; breads and cereals
(including some wholemeal); milk and milk products or suitable alternatives;
lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds (crushed into a
safe size).
TIP:
If your toddler is eating a wide variety
of foods and consuming around
500ml of whole cow’s milk per day
then the extra nutrients from toddler
milks generally provide no further
benefits.
page 35
Inspiration
Say goodbye to purées; your toddler can now enjoy the same, or similar, foods
to what you are eating, with a few modifications in how it is served. Whilst messy,
it is a great time to encourage your toddler to learn to self feed with a toddler
spoon or fork or teaspoon if you haven’t started already. They will likely still need
some help to ensure they are consuming enough of their food at meals times
and of course will continue to use their hands for some things. Here are a few
recipe ideas to get you started.
»» Bolognese
»» Breads, cut to a size your toddler can easily hold and eat
»» Casseroles with mash e.g. beef, lentils and vegetables
»» Chicken and mixed starchy vegetables with broccoli and carrot
»» Crumbed fish bites
»» Egg - scrambled, omelette (cut up)
»» Fish pie
»» Lamb shanks with vegetables (recipe on page 40)
»» Pasta
»» Shepherd’s pie
»» Soft, cooked dried peas, beans or lentils
»» Soft pieces of vegetables and fruit - cooked or finely grated if raw and hard
texture (e.g. carrot)
»» Spaghetti and Meatballs (lamb/beef/pork mince with vegetables)
»» Tender pieces of meat e.g. beef, lamb, chicken, seafood
»» Yoghurt
»» Cheese
page 36
RECIPES
Recipes
page 37
Toast Rusks
Makes 16 I Suitable from Stage Two
The following recipe is easy to prepare and can be kept in an air tight container
for two weeks (if your baby lets them last that long!)
Ingredients Method
»» 4 x slices white bread, crusts Preheat oven to 100˚C.
RECIPES
removed
Very lightly spread one side of each
»» Marmite or vegemite bread slice with butter and marmite,

then lightly sprinkle with a little
»» Cheese, finely grated cheese.
»» Butter (or alternative spread) Cut each slice of bread into four
‘fingers’.
TIPS: Place on an oven tray in the oven
You can bake fingers of bread with no

for 1 hour.
spread on as per the above to make
Remove from the oven and leave on
plain rusks that you can later spread
with something of your choosing. a cooling tray before storing in an air
tight container, ready for your baby.
Older babies and bigger children will

love these too; great for a morning or
afternoon snack!
If your baby is dairy intolerant, these

can still be made and enjoyed
without the cheese and by using a
dairy-free butter alternative.
page 38
Corn Fritters
Makes 10 I Suitable from Stage Three
The following recipe is easy to prepare and can be frozen for up to 4 weeks.
Ingredients Method
»» ¼ cup flour Sift flour and baking powder
RECIPES
together into a medium sized bowl.

»» ½ tsp baking powder
Add egg and corn and mix well to
»» 1 egg, lightly beaten combine.
»» ¾ corn kernels, blitzed into a Heat a little oil in a non stick frying
smooth purée pan. Place two tablespoons of
mixture into the pan, spacing the
fritters evenly.
Cook for a couple of minutes until

small bubbles begin to appear. Turn
and cook for a couple more minutes
until cooked through and golden.
TIPS:
If freezing, place a little non-stick
baking paper between each fritter to
prevent them sticking together.
You could also add other vegetables

such as grated courgette, grated
carrot, small bits of finely chopped
bacon etc.
page 39
Lamb Shanks with Veges

Suitable from Stage Two
Ingredients Method
»» Lamb shanks - 2 medium sized Turn slow cooker on high, or oven on 150˚C.
shanks for baby (~800g incl bone);
Brown lamb shanks in a pan with a little olive
add one each for Mum and Dad if
oil. Add to slow cooker or casserole dish.
you’re having this as a family meal
RECIPES
too, trimmed Add aubergine, courgette, kumara, carrots,

stock (if using) and water. Ensure liquid is fully
»» 1 large aubergine, diced into
covering the lamb. Cover and leave to cook
1-2cm cubes until tender and meat is falling off bone,
approximately 5-6 hours.
»» 4 small-medium courgettes, sliced
into 1-2cm rounds Remove your baby’s portion and follow
recipe below. Season remaining portion and
»» 1 large kumara (we used orange),
serve with your choice of seasonal greens.
peeled and diced into 1-2cm
cubes STAGE TWO BABY - remove shanks from
the casserole dish and pull meat from bone.
»» 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced Purée pulled meat and vegetables (aiming
into 1-2cm rounds for roughly two to three times as many
vegetables to meat) to suitable texture,
»» 1 cup stock (low salt or homemade
adding cooking liquid, water or baby’s milk
- reserved from previous cooking)
to moisten.
or water
STAGE THREE BABY - pull apart/shred meat
»» 2 cups water, boiling using two forks and smash vegetables
(aiming for roughly two to three times as
TIP: many vegetables to meat). Optional - add
This recipe makes plenty so you can cooked quinoa to the pulled and mashed
freeze and reheat for baby when
meal before freezing in to portions.
needed.
page 40
Beef and Vege Bolognese

Suitable from Stage Two
Ingredients Method
»» 500g good quality beef mince Heat a little oil in a heavy based frying
pan, over a medium heat.
»» 1 large kumara, grated
Brown mince well, then add kumara
RECIPES
»» 2 large carrots, grated and carrot. Cook for a couple of

minutes before adding remaining
»» Handful fresh spinach, chopped
ingredients.
»» 1 cup beef stock (either

Continue to cook for 15-20 minutes until
homemade, reserved from
the vegetables are well cooked and the
previous cooking or low salt option) liquid has developed into a thick sauce.
or water
Remove pan from the heat.
»» 1 tin purée tomatoes
Remove your baby’s portion and
»» 1 x 400g jar passata prepare as per below before serving on
your choice of rice, mashed potato or
»» ¼-½ cup water
pasta and enjoying remaining recipe as
a family meal.
STAGE TWO BABY - use a stick blender to

TIP: lightly purée bolognaise.
Cooked pasta can be frozen in
STAGE THREE BABY, PLUS - use two forks
portions; easy to grab and defrost
at meal times. An older (Stage Three to mash or shred mince meat into small
onwards) baby may also enjoy pasta bits
as finger food.
Mix with additional vegetables (e.g.
potato or pumpkin) or well cooked
pasta or rice. You can even add a wee
sprinkling of grated cheese on top. page 41
Banana Muffins with Blueberries

No added sugar I Suitable from Stage Two
With a great soft texture and no added sugar, these muffins are perfect for Stage Two babies and
beyond who are confidently trying finger foods; a great snack or healthy lunch box treat.
Ingredients Method
»» 250g ripe banana, mashed Pre-heat oven to 180˚C (we used fan
(equivalent to about 2 large bake), and grease a mini muffin tin with a
RECIPES
bananas or 3.5 bobby bananas) little oil or butter.
»» 2 eggs In a large bowl or mixer, add banana,

eggs, vanilla and oil. Beat together with
»» 1 tsp vanilla a hand mixer or electric cake mixer, until
well combined and smooth. The mixture
»» ½ cup cooking oil (choose a
should be yellow and may be a little
mild tasting variety; alternatively frothy.
replace with 100g melted butter)
Sift in flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
»» 1¼ cup plain flour With a wooden spoon, stir until well
combined, being careful not to over mix.
»» 1½ tsp baking powder
Spoon heaped teaspoons of muffin
»» ½ tsp cinnamon
mixture into mini muffin tins. If using, top
each muffin with a couple of blueberries,
»» Blueberries to top each muffin, if
pressing into the mixture slightly.
desired
Bake for 12-15 minutes, until cooked

through.
TIP:
Cool for a few minutes in the tin, before
Use very ripe bananas to increase the
transferring to a wire rack. Be sure muffins
natural sweetness of the muffins.
are completely cool before serving to your
baby as the blueberries will be very hot.
page 42
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked
Questions
page 43
How do I know what your GP or allergy specialist), it is

recommended to introduce suitably
foods are suitable prepared allergenic foods early;
for my baby’s age peanuts, nuts, eggs and fish at

around six months; dairy, soy and
and stage? wheat around 7 months.
The guide in this resource outlines

suitable first foods for your baby. Try What are the common
and introduce a variety of flavours signs and symptoms
in different combinations in the first

year to help your baby be more of an allergic
readily accepting of new foods and
reaction?
flavours as they grow.
Look for the following signs for
What about allergies? allergic reaction:
Always introduce new foods at the

»» RESPIRATORY: nasal congestion
beginning of the day so that if there
and a runny nose, sneezing,
is going to be a reaction it is less
asthma, coughing or wheezing.
likely to occur in the middle of the
night. As a general rule, introduce »» SKIN: swelling of the lips, mouth,
one new food every three days, tongue, face and/or throat,
and from there if your baby has no
itching, redness or rashes (for
reaction, you can mix and match
example hives or eczema) or
the flavours as their food repertoire
allergic conjunctivitis.
grows. If there is no family history of
allergies, and your baby has not had »» GASTROINTESTINAL: sore tummy,
any reactions or cause for concern diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or
in their first 6 months on breast milk
colic.
or formula, it is less likely that you will
encounter any problems introducing »» CARDIOVASCULAR: tachycardia,
a range of fruits, vegetables, grains hypotension, feeling faint, dizziness
and meats to your baby. or collapse.
Unless you have a family history Symptoms can vary in their severity.
of allergies (in which case, it is If your baby does have an adverse
advisable to discuss introducing reaction to food, immediately seek
possible allergenic foods with medical advice.
page 44
How do I manage a »» Continue to offer foods that your

baby / toddler loves, along with
fussy eater? foods they may not enjoy as much.
Children are naturally fussy with
Repeated exposure can help them
their foods and change constantly;
to learn to like these foods too.
they can be a good eater one
day and then become fussy the If you are concerned for any
next. Fussiness generally starts reason about your child’s growth,
around 18 months and could last development or eating patterns,
up to 12 months (although it is not contact your medical practitioner for
uncommon for a younger baby advice.

to happily eat something one day
and appear not to want it the How much food does
next, particularly with finger foods).
Fussy eating can lead to reduced my baby need?
intakes of certain nutrients and whilst Your baby will eat more / less
fussiness is a normal part of your depending on the foods you are
baby’s food journey, the following offering; for example carbohydrates
steps can be used to help keep your will fill them up more quickly than
little one healthy: fresh non-starchy vegetables and
fruits. Continue offering mouthfuls
»» Offer your baby a wide variety of until your baby begins to resist or
healthy foods from all food groups. appears full. A common sign your
baby is full is turning their head
»» Be consistent; it can take around
away.
15 tries before your baby will
What role does

happily eat a new food
»» Eat healthy yourself! Remember, milk play once we

you are your baby’s best role
model.
introduce solids?
Your baby’s milk (breast or formula)
»» Consider different ways to prepare continues to remain an important
the same food; toddlers may not part of their diet for the first year
like boiled potato for example, but of life. Offer milk first until around 8
they will eat mashed. months, then offer baby their milk
after solid food.
»» Establish a routine around
mealtimes and keep them calm
and stress-free.
page 45
Why introduce solids? thrive. Iron performs many important

functions in your baby’s body
By around 6 months of age, your
including: helping them grow at a
baby’s nutritional needs develop
normal rate; carrying oxygen around
requiring more nutrients and minerals
their body; brain development; and
from solids; especially iron, to help
helps fight infection. This is the best
their brain and body continue to
time to introduce iron-rich solid food
grow and develop.
to your baby’s diet.
Why is it important
Which foods offer a
to introduce solids
good source of iron
around 6 months but
for my baby?
not before 4 months? Iron is especially important for babies
If you can tick most or all of the and toddlers as it helps with brain
indicators on page 4, then it is time development and learning. Lean
to start introducing solids to your red meat and chicken are the best
little one. Generally the timing for sources of iron for your baby and
this is around 6 months however it toddler and combining them with
could be slightly earlier or later. It a range of vegetables and fruit will
is not recommended to introduce help their bodies absorb it best.
solids before your baby is 4 months
old as their digestive system is not
What about water?
developed enough to process foods;
It is important to introduce your baby
after 7 months and your baby will
to the concept of drinking water.
have developed a very strong taste
This is because as they get older it
for milk (breast or formula), making
will replace the large quantities of
it more difficult to introduce the
baby’s milk they have been drinking
flavours and texture of solids. The
to keep them hydrated.
act of eating also helps aid speech
development as they learn to move Begin to offer water to your baby in
their mouths in different ways. an age appropriate sippy cup during
solids. You may initially find water
At around 6 months of age, your
goes in to their mouth and is then
baby’s iron stores begin to deplete
spat out - don’t worry about this. As
and their milk alone will not provide
with solids, this is a learning process
them the amount they need to
for your baby and it will develop with
page 46
time and perseverance. By the time

your baby is 9-12 months of age,
they should be proficiently drinking
water with their meals, and often in
between meal times particularly in
warmer weather. This coincides with
a gradual reduction in the amount
of breast milk or formula feeds they
will be offered around this age.
As your baby grows older, they will

progress from taking their water from
a slow flow sippy cup to a higher
flow cup or drink bottle with a straw
and finally on to drinking from a
plastic cup with no lid.
Tip: if your baby is continuing to

reject water, you could try reserving
a little of the cooled cooking water
from their fruits and vegetables and
try offering it in their sippy cup. It is
best to avoid fruit juices due to the
high sugar content.
Independently reviewed by
registered nutritionists
page 47
References
»» Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Infants and Toddlers (Aged 0-2),New
Zealand Ministry of Health, 2012, https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/
documents/publications/food-and-nutrition-guidelines-healthy-infants-and-
toddlers-revised-dec12.pdf
»» Eating for Healthy Babies and Toddlers, New Zealand Ministry of

Health, https://www.healthed.govt.nz/resource/eating-healthy-
babies-and-toddlersng%C4%81-kai-t%C5%8Dtika-m%C5%8D-te-hunga-
k%C5%8Dhungahunga
»» Starting Solids, New Zealand Ministry of Health, https://www.healthed.govt.nz/

resource/starting-solids

INTRODUCTION
www.sproutbaby.co.nz I hello@sproutbaby.co.nz
SPROUT.babysfirstfoods sprout.baby
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BA BY ’ S F I R S T F O O D S

YOUR BABY’S FOOD JOURNEY

Prepared exclusively for ntayuceda@gmail.com Transaction: 10698

Homemade or Store Bought?. . ......6

What you need to know..............31

STAGE ONE.................................. 15 Inspiration. . ...................................32

What you need to know..............16

How to make a purée . . ................17 STAGE FOUR................................. 33

First Month Meal Guide.. ..............19 Indicators your baby could be

What you need to know..............35

What you need to know..............27 Recipes.. .......................................37

Inspiration. . ...................................28 Frequently asked questions.........43

develop a love and enjoyment of good healthy food.

*This is a practical resource of suitable foods, preparation

Is my baby ready to start solids?

□□INTEREST - my baby shows an interest in watching me and / or others eating

Which technique is right for me?

What about milk?

Homemade or Store Bought?

»» You know exactly what you’re feeding them.

»» It can be more economical than buying pre-packaged pouches or jars.

»» You can choose your own ingredient combinations for purées.

What equipment will I need?

»» FRESH FOOD FEEDER - available at all baby stores and

control of their arms. od

Feeding Stages: At A Glance

Number of meals 1-2

Age Around 7 months

Suggested Suitable Foods

Vegetables SUITABLY PREPARED FOR EACH STAGE

Broccoli Can cause wind in some younger

Cabbage Can cause wind in some younger

Parsnip Hard core removed

Peas Frozen (cooked) optional

Sweetcorn Frozen (cooked) optional

Fruits: SUITABLY PREPARED FOR EACH STAGE

Banana, ripe Smoothly mashed, uncooked

Blueberry Must be cooked and puréed if

using frozen during Stage Two

Kiwifruit, golden A little milder in taste, some

Mandarin Seedless or seeds removed

Raspberry Sieve and purée to remove seeds

Lean Meat IMPORTANT FOR BABY’S DEPLETING IRON STORES (SEE

as your baby gets used to the

Dairy and Eggs

Yoghurt Look for plain or unsweetened

Grains, Legumes, Pasta and Bread

Bread See recipe on page 38 for

(e.g. spirals) make great finger

Lentils E.g. red lentils

Rice Boiled until very soft, but not

Jam Contains lots of sugar; use

Marmite / Vegemite Use sparingly as high in salt

Nutella / chocolate High sugar content

What about herbs and spices, and seasoning?

»» Start by adding a little amount and build it up slowly.

SOME SUGGESTED COMBINATIONS:

»» Lamb, peas, yoghurt and mint