Ahhhhh, baby's first vegetable purées! As parents, it's the kind of moment we eagerly await but also dread a little: is it the right time? Which vegetable should I offer first? Is it the right texture, is my baby purée smooth enough? In short, we quickly tend to let ourselves be nibbled away by doubts, when often all it takes is the right advice, at the right time!
When to start vegetables for baby?
There's no need to put the cart before the horse, especially when it comes to weaning. You'll have to wait until your baby is 4 months old to get started (that doesn't mean you're leaving breast milk or formula * in the cupboard, but simply that you'll be able to give them their first taste of vegetables!). We recommend talking to your pediatrician, who can help you discover all these new foods!
1 single vegetable in the spotlight
To discover the true taste of vegetables, there's nothing like a puree with... just one vegetable! So we're going to offer him vegetables one by one, without mixing them, to be able to start this great adventure of taste on the right foot! Chef's tip: vegetables should be cooked without salt and preferably steamed. In general, resist the temptation to add a pinch of salt to the dishes you offer your baby: he doesn't need it! Texture-wise: keep in mind that purees should be perfectly smooth!
Zero routine
Babies are just like us; they hate routine: so we advise you to vary the tastes and pleasures and change vegetables regularly! When first introducing a vegetable, it is often recommended to maintain it for a few days in a row to ensure there is no allergic reaction. Once the vegetable has already been tasted, you can change it every day for more variety!
Which vegetable should I start weaning my diet with?
To put all the chances on your side, we advise you to start with organic vegetables, full of sweetness and easy to digest: we think of carrots to gently awaken baby's taste buds then sweet potatoes or peas .
Quality… and quantity! How many vegetables at what age?
One of the biggest worries for parents is knowing if their baby is eating enough. Here's a quick reminder of the recommended daily amounts when you start weaning (in other words, during the first 2 weeks) – and if you're ever in doubt, don't hesitate to contact your pediatrician!
- 500 to 800 ml of breast or infant milk*
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of gluten-free cereal (at the beginning) - optional
- 60 to 150 g of vegetables (start with 1 or two spoonfuls and gradually increase)
- 1 teaspoon of uncooked fat (rapeseed oil, olive oil, etc. or butter, which you can mix into your baby's purees after they are 6 months old!)
- 1 little low-mineral water, suitable for feeding very young children
"No" isn't always no!?
We're not going to tell you lies, your baby may categorically refuse certain vegetables. Don't panic, it's normal! Let a few days go by, introduce them to other vegetables, then try your luck again with the same puree (apparently, you have to try 8 to 10 times before giving up completely... you're allowed several tries!). And for parenting tips on how to deal with refusals, check out our article on vegetables !
And after?
After two weeks of exploring vegetables, you can move on to fruit (then meat, fish and eggs... but that's another story !)
*At Good Goût, we encourage breastfeeding until your little ones are at least 6 months old... And that's also what the WHO recommends! Indeed, breast milk is the ideal food to meet the specific needs of babies. Furthermore, the WHO code strictly prohibits infant food manufacturers from communicating about infant formulas (0-6 months). For any questions, advice, or personalized advice, consult your pediatrician!
