Written by our friends at Woddle
When moving from milk to solids, we know parents are searching high and low for what to expect, what’s normal, and what they should be concerned about. It can be a daunting task for parents and caregivers to undertake, especially when there is so much information on what to do and what not to do.
Luckily, we’ve decided to consult the experts on what to look out for, best practices, and how you can prepare yourself and your baby for this new feeding journey.
Below are a few myths we wanted to shed some light on:
Myth 1: You must start with purees when transitioning from milk to solids.
Reason: While you definitely can, it’s not a must! Delicious foods such as steamed and softened carrots or mushy bananas offer your baby a softer texture while still being ‘solid.’ The CDC recommends letting your little one start eating meats, yogurt, grains, cheeses, and produce around 7 or 8 months. While it is completely up to you to do what is best for your baby, you don’t need to feel tied to purees!
Myth 2: You have to introduce foods one at a time.
Reason: There’s no evidence that a significant wait time between foods is necessary, according to Solid Starts. By making sure the food is soft enough for them to chew and swallow safely, you’re already doing amazing work. Good job, mom!
By feeding your little one a variety of textures and flavors, you’re helping their palate develop and their brain make new connections! Introducing only one common allergen (such as milk, peanuts, or soy) is smart, especially if there is a family history of a particular food allergy. Besides that, you can introduce more than one food at a time! We love the 101 Foods Before 1 guides (like Globowl's!), sharing more about baby-led weaning and how to create nutrient-dense plates for the littles.
Myth 3: When your baby has an allergic reaction, it’s going to be big.
Reason: Did you know that it’s likely that your baby won’t react to an allergen on the first taste or exposure to it? A TikTok clip from pediatric allergist Dr. Rubin explains that reactions from the first exposure are rare because the “immune system has to first become sensitized” to the food- such as peanuts- first!
Myth 4: Once a baby starts solids, they don’t need as much milk.
Reason: Milk - whether breast or formula - is packed with vital nutrients that help your little one grow and develop. These two forms of nutrition - milk and solids - work together, just like you and your baby will to see what combo works best for YOU. In the beginning, it’s recommended to start off with one or two solid meals a day with the bulk of their nutrition still coming from milk. You can use the Woddle and it’s free companion app to track how much baby is eating: whether that’s nursing, formula, and/or solids.
Myth 5: Gagging means your little one isn’t ready yet.
Reason: As positively terrifying as gagging looks and sounds, it’s actually perfectly normal. Going from liquid to mushy whole foods is a big jump. Your baby’s got to work through the new textures and the new mouthfeel. We know that’s not the most comforting couple of sentences you’ve ever read, so here are some quick reads from experts for you to also take a look at:
We also love this free course from BabyCenter where you can learn CPR for babies.
The transition from milk to solids can feel like a large undertaking - however, whatever you choose will be best for your family. When you’re making decisions on what to feed the little one and how and when to introduce new foods (and allergens!), know that you’re making great choices. Please all us and our friends at Globowl be a resource for you. Remember to ask your doctor alllllllll the questions, and please feel free to drop us a line if there is anything we can do to support you on your journey.
