I was overwhelmed when it was time to start my baby boy Rio on solid foods. He had been breastfed exclusively and had never been sick or had an issues-great sleeper, never had a diaper rash, no skin issues, not even a cold. I was nervous that things would change once I started him on solids. My pediatrician recommended we start him on cereal. I asked if I could do just vegetables and fruits instead and he said that was perfectly fine. I just felt more comfortable giving him real, whole foods that we eat. I really liked the idea of baby-led weaning and I knew that I wanted to follow philosophy for the most part. One of my main goals with Rio is that he is able to enjoy variety of healthy foods. I personally think the key to this is exposure. When I started feeding Rio solid foods at 7 months, I only gave him vegetables and healthy fats for the entire first month (avocado, coconut, sweet potato, carrot, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, zucchini, etc.). After a month I introduced some fruit (pear, blueberry, banana, raspberry, strawberry, apple, mango). Now after two months I have added some protein and more healthy fats (lentils, split and black eyed peas, chickpeas, almond milk, beans, grass-fed butter, avocado oil, and occasionally fish-primarily wild caught salmon). Everything organic. I have also given him organic oats, quinoa and white basmati rice, but other than these grains I have chosen hold off on grain until he’s one year old. I’m also holding off on dairy except for grassfed butter for awhile. These are just my personal choices, but they have worked well for Rio. He is 10 months old and eats three meals a day. I still breastfeed him 3-4 times per day. He still hasn’t been sick, has 5 teeth, is a super healthy and happy boy.
I try really hard to give Rio a variety of foods every day. I don’t want to feed him the same things over and over, so every week so I make sure to switch it up by giving him different healthy fats, veggies, and fruits. I have grocery lists in my phone which really help! I give Rio avocado every morning. I like to add chopped raw spinach and broccoli so that he gets some raw veggies and hide it in his avocado too! I always give him some fruit with breakfast as well. It’s usually something he can feed himself. Even if the babies just play with the food at first, it is good for their fine motor skills and to develop their pincer grasp. I usually feed him the avocado with a spoon, but I make him hold the spoon and feed himself (with my help).
[Avocado and Pears for Breakfast!]
Most of the other meals he pretty much feeds himself (he loves this pasta made with just lentils and black beans with veggies and salmon!)
I also make it a point to sit down and eat as a family as often as possible to teach Rio about meal time and the importance of eating together. I’m huge on being screen free during meals too, with the exception of photos!!
I often prepare foods like lentils, sweet potato and applesauce ahead of time and use those for a few days. Refrigerated food should only be used for 3-4 days. If you freeze, use within 3 weeks. I sauté or steam veggies for him daily, or finely chop raw veggies and hide them in his avocado. For lunch he has some of what I’m having and for dinner he always tries most of what we are eating. I often add grass-fed butter or avocado oil to his food for some extra healthy fats. I’ve also introduced some herbs and spices like basil, turmeric, garlic powder, and cinnamon. I hope this gives you mamas some ideas for starting solids with your baby! I would love your feedback! Find me on Instagram @thepreggerspantry!
Here’s a little sample of what a week lunch and dinner look like for a 10 month old. Breakfast is almost always avocado and fruit.
Lunch:
Monday- avocado/rice/lentils, broccoli, blueberries
Tuesday- salmon, lentils/rice/spinach/avo oil, applesauce
Wednesday-sweet potato/lentils/grassfed butter, carrots & pears
Thursday- sweet potato/rice/lentils, carrot, & blueberries
Friday-avocado, spinach, salmon, & rice
Dinner:
Monday- sweet potato/lentils/spinach/carrot
Tuesday- salmon, sweet potato/lentils, carrots
Wednesday-lentils, rice, avocado broccolini, carrots, applesauce
Thursday- sea bass, sweet potato, asparagus, pear
Friday- salmon, rice, spinach, lentil/avo oil
Carly Zuffinetti earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Ball State University, a Master’s Degree in Special Education and has an Autism Authorization from Cal State San Marcos. She is a special education teacher and is currently on sabbatical to be with her new baby boy. She created her Instagram account, @ThePreggersPantry, during her pregnancy hoping to connect and share ideas with other health conscious, like-minded mamas. She is involved with Miracle Babies, SAY San Diego, and The Friends of San Pasqual charities. Carly lives in Rancho Santa Fe, CA with her husband Adam, son Rio, and 13 year old Brussels Griffon, Mayzie. She loves yoga, animals, and all things baby. Carly will soon launch The Preggers Pantry blog to help inspire women to have the healthiest pregnancies and lives possible.
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