The first year of life is full of so many changes, including food! Here’s how we do it. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sprout® Organic Baby and Toddler Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.
That first year, the entire world revolves around the baby. Even at 9 months it seems this is still the case. Because the baby can’t feed himself (he’s trying, though) I’m either nursing him or feeding him when he’s awake. We’re not too off from our 6 month schedule so he still sleeps quite a bit. But still, it’s hug cute baby, feed cute baby, hug cute baby, feed cute baby, sleep…
Here’s how we go about feeding our little ones until their first birthday.
What's in this post...
Birth to 5 months
Years ago when I found out I was pregnant, I lived in England, then Scotland. Breastfeeding was far more common than I remembered it being in the States (that said, I hadn’t been around friends with kids yet) and my midwives acted like it was a given. So I decided nursing was the way and it’s been one of the best decisions of my life.
With my fourth child, I actually say this nauseating phrase nearly every time I feed him… “Come here, little one, I made milk in my heart for you!” You can’t even, I know. I do breastfeed on a schedule and basic routine and yes, this is very possible.
To Breastfeed or Not to Breastfeed
Can you Breastfeed on a Schedule?
How to Get a Breastfed Baby to Take a Bottle
Mentally Surviving the Newborn Phase
5 months to 9 months
In years past pediatricians and authors suggested beginning small amounts of solids at 4 months. Rice cereal was the recommendation. I did that with my first two children as they appeared genuinely starved at that age. Very small amounts and then built up.
With my youngest two I waited until around 5 months, building it up until they were getting good amounts by 6 months. By this age you introduce certain healthy foods, one at a time, and watch your child’s reaction to be sure there are no food sensitives or allergies. The nearest grocery store that carries a strong line of organic foods, as well as foods for those with allergy sensitives, is Publix. It’s likely different in your area.
At this point you’ll determine if you want to make your own baby food, buy from the store, or a hybrid. For my fourth baby, we do a hybrid. I cook some basic vegetables (though I’ll be honest it’s mostly sweet potato) to have on hand for meals. For my first child, I think she ate perhaps one jar of baby food from the store. I wanted to know exactly what was in the food, so I made it. Nowadays, we’re blessed with a lot of pure choices which helps.
Once I had a reader write on a survey that she felt guilty buying organic baby food at the store. She said she was buying organic baby food with no preservatives, so she hoped that was enough. I say, enough with the mommy guilt! I buy pouches like the above to keep when homemade supplies run out, to bring with me to church, on errands, and at other peoples’ homes. They are healthy and they are easy, and that’s good enough for me.
In the photo above my son is sucking on a Sprout Organic baby food pouch. He likes that, though he gets incredibly messy, but I also keep a spoon around to feed him with it depending on what’s happening. None of my children have been partial to any specific flavors. Their preferred flavor is food.
We are really blessed to be able to go to the store and have such a huge variety of healthy foods to give our babies. In other countries the babies drink milk only for years because it’s simply all they have.
One phrase to use when feeling mommy guilt
Homemade baby food: to do or not to do
9 months to 12 months
At this point I begin introducing more solid foods instead of puree. I know those who do baby led weaning do solid from the get go, but my kids are huge eaters and the purees help them get enough into their little systems. As they are more coordinated (hand to eye and pincer grasp) they begin to feed themselves. I love this because there is a little more freedom there.
Here I begin blending or mixing foods I’ve cooked for everyone else so they are getting ready for full immersion. Foods that were previously pureed heavily are more chunky, so the babies learn to handle different textures and foods. I also introduce a lot more variety to their diet which I love. I honestly find the baby eating/feeding stage difficult.
At this point mine have also begun to really eat a lot. If they miss a “meal” then they wake up early from naps and early in the morning. Yes, this is a thing. If your child consistently wakes easily in the morning, the first two things I’d do is make sure they have a good early bedtime, and feed them more.
12 months on…
Essentially, after this point, I give them the food the rest of the kids eat. Whether that’s peanut butter and jelly, yogurt, puree packs like Sprout Organic, but for toddlers, or taco casserole. Except perhaps with a tad more applesauce than the others :).
I’d love to hear how you feed your baby! Tell us in the comments.Â
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sprout® Organic Baby and Toddler Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.
I breastfed my first for her first entire year exactly. We started cereal at 6 months, fruits and veggies not long after, and added meats around 9 months. We did store food bc they didn’t like how I made the food I guess. I also breastfed my twins for 5 months. They’re 7 months now and will have breastmilk out of a bottle until they’re 1. I have been pumping enough for a good supply :). The dr said they can eat any food I want to give them as long it’s soft or purĂ©ed. My first was a very picky eater with EVERYTHING. One twin prefers fruits the other prefers veggies. So it’s interesting :)
Isn’t it interesting how you can do the same things more or less and have different results? Ha! Makes for a challenge.
I’ve really been enjoying your blog! My question is about teeth and eating…my 10 month old has no teeth. I’ve nursed her the whole time, and shes handling all sorts of soft foods easily. I plan to wean by 1 year, but is that ok if she doesn’t have teeth yet?
Katie P, I have a 10 month old right now with no teeth too. Ha! I will probably wean around 12 months, maybe a bit later, but I’ll do it regardless of teeth because he can actually eat some bread now. So, I won’t give meat that requires chewing, but I’m not sure that you need to keep nursing just because of the teeth issue. That said, I’d probably try giving him more diverse foods before you wean just to be safe!
Thanks for the write up Rachel, ive had a touch time getting my 12 month old off purees. I will continue trying though!
Best of luck! My 13 month old still has a fair amount of purees right now, keep on keeping on.
I might be a little late, but I just found your blog and all I can say “Where have you been?”!!! Great blog, great information! Everytime I get completely overwhelmed I find my issue on your blog. (Trying to save up some money so I can buy that overcoming overwhelm packet). I can then remind myself that this (wonderful) lady with 5 kids can do it, has experienced it, and fond time to blog about it, then surely I must be able to make it through. I only have 2 so far (would love 4+) ages 2.5 and 3months.
So my actual post related question: How do you get a 2.5year old that’s bored with food to actually eat? My son doesn’t seem to care for any food, ever. And when he does eat it’s like 2 or 3 big bites and then he’s off the play. He would live on peanut butter, olives, and bananas if I let him. How do you get kids to eat an actual meal (aka Meat and Potatos)?? As a side n
To be honest ,if they don’t eat I don’t push it. I can’t afford to force them all to eat since I have so many (ha) so I offer it and they can take it or leave it. They don’t get anything else until snack or the next meal, though, so if they’re really hungry they eat :)
Here in England we are advised (told) to wean our babies at 6 months and give as many finger foods as possible. Some people feed their babies only finger foods. I weaned my little boy who is now nearly 10 months from 5 months as he was sitting up and had hand to eye coordination and could move mashed banana around his mouth and swallow. My son is now fully weaned, eating all that we eat (no salt though). Last night he had fish pie (lightly mashed) and then the deconstructed fish pie – potato, fish, cheese, peas as finger foods. I would love to know your opinion on this as my little boy seems so ‘grown up’ – is this all too early?
I think if he eats food that’s fine, right? As long as he’s able to digest it and it’s relatively soft. Are you wanting to wean him from milk?
No, he has his baby milk early morning, mid morning, afternoon and before bed. I love this time as although he is now insisting on holding his bottle/sippy cup we can snuggle up. He also helps himself to water during meal times from his sippy cup. I am probably just feeling a bit sensitive to the fact that he is growing so fast – he started to crawl this week and this morning I found him standing happily in his cot waving at me as I entered the room – things are changing very fast. I probably sound a bit silly, but he is my first baby (and last) as he is our miracle – we waited over twenty years for him. When I read your blog, your weaning sounded slower and calmer, I wondered if this was just your way or you were following guidelines. And yes, the food I give him is fairly soft and I did forget to say he has two bottom teeth and the top two are almost fully through. I looked back at my food diary for him and I would say he was on our food fully by 7 1/2 months – albeit softened. Oh and just wanted to say what a great blog you do – good clear advise, you come across as very calm which reassures me as a first time mum – Thank you xxx
Dotty, I got chills hearing your heart for your dear miracle son. I totally relate feeling a sadness they are growing up mixed with joy. I do it slow and naturally and don’t follow the guidelines except not to give too much, etc. I try to give when I can tell they’ll take it and not fuss over too much. I don’t even fuss if they want to hold their milk bottle after they’ve been weaned insead of moving straight to a sippy cup. I have more to worry about than whether they use a bottle or sippy cup. Ha. Hope that helps :)
My baby has been feeding organic sprout stage 3 until 11 months. Now he is 12 months, should I still offer him organic sprout stage 3 or is there other products that I could offer him when he reach 1 year older. ?
Organic sprout is the only brand that my baby will eat? I don’t know what else to offer him
Personally at one year of age I had them on solids not baby food any longer, but I think you can keep offering it until baby transitions to solids.
Hi Rachel
I was wondering when did you give up the bedtime milk bottle? My lo is 9 months old and has just cut his first two teeth. The dentist advised me to replace the milk with water to prevent tooth decay. Is this something that you did and if so was a gradual reduction of milk or straight away? My son has formula. Any advice would be appreciated!
I have a 9 month old that has pretty much weaned herself. I have no idea what to feed her at this point. Do you have any suggestions or a place I could find sample meals/snacks? My first born was not like this. She nursed until 12 months and didn’t want anything to do with baby food until then. Now with my second not very interested in nursing anymore I’m not sure what to do. I have purée my own fruit and veggies and some store bought for convenience but that doesn’t seem to satisfy her anymore. What does it mean by “solids” she only has two bottom teeth and that’s all.
Same! I would like to know too .
My baby is 8 months old and I still don’t get it even after buying heaps of baby food books.
Emma, I cant find the thread for this, what was the question you and Megan wanted to know?
Thanks Rachel- My son has absolutely refused pureed food since 5 months old. So, I introduced small finger foods. He is so independent! He is 9 months old now, and will finally take a spoon! So, I started him on a supplement of infant cereal with mashed banana. I was hoping this would help him sleep better, but he is still waking up during the night to breastfeed. I’m at a loss of what to do! I will try following your schedule, fingers crossed!