Babies typically start weaning at 4 months. First solid foods, first purees… We answer all your questions!
How much milk at 4 months?
That's it, your baby is 4 months old and can finally embark on the great adventure of taste! But let's not forget, at 4 months, your baby's main food is still milk! At Good Goût, we encourage breastfeeding at least until your little ones are 6 months old… And that's also what the WHO recommends! Indeed, breast milk is the food best suited to the specific needs of babies.
A 4-month-old baby usually breastfeeds about 4 to 5 times a day or drinks between 180 and 240 ml of formula, 4 or 5 times a day. Of course, this depends on your baby's rhythm: some babies may still breastfeed every 2 hours or at night. At this age, you don't force the baby to finish their breastfeed/bottle; you let them manage their own hunger like a grown-up (and yes, they will eat until they are full; they are not yet prone to overeating). You can start introducing the first purees at this time.
What are the first foods for a baby?
We usually start introducing solid foods with pureed cooked vegetables on their own It's recommended to take your time and introduce vegetables on their own for two weeks before offering your little foodie their first fruits. Give delicious vegetables a chance, as a preference for sweets starts very early. After this period, introduce the first fruits, cooked on their own, one at a time, to detect any potential allergies and help your baby discover the true taste of food!
What are the first vegetables to give to a 4-month-old baby?
It's advisable to start with mild vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes , or peas . And yes, starting with endive purée can be a bit overwhelming for a new palate. So, initially, avoid vegetables with strong flavors, as well as those that are harder to digest, like cabbage or turnips.
And if the baby refuses a vegetable, don't stress, just wait a few days before offering it again! We often hear that you can try 8 to 10 times before giving up!
Which fruits are suitable for which age?
Once the 15 days of vegetables alone are over, you can start introducing fruit (yay!). Contrary to some misconceptions, all fruits can be given from 4 months onwards as long as they are cooked, even exotic fruits! The same rule applies as for vegetables: give the fruit cooked on its own so that the baby can best discover the taste of different foods and to detect any potential allergies or intolerances as quickly as possible. We suggest starting with apple or banana; they always work! (By the way, have you seen our mixed fruit pack ?)
We will wait a few months before giving raw (fully ripe) fruit, when the baby's stomach is a little more developed!
How much puree should a 4-month-old baby eat?
Pediatricians recommend starting weaning with a few spoonfuls of vegetables at lunchtime (using a soft-tipped spoon), gradually increasing the amount until reaching about 120 grams of smooth purée. The amount of breast milk or formula generally decreases as the amount of purée increases. Fruit is then introduced at snack time, up to about 100 grams.
What cereals are suitable for a 4-month-old baby?
With the introduction of solid foods, it's possible to give your baby their first cereals. Choose gluten-free and sugar-free options and add them to their morning or evening bottle. We'll tell you all about it in more detail here!
