Hey, There are Lumps in My Food!
Introducing Solid Foods
Lumpier and chewier foods help develop your baby’s oral (mouth) skills and build muscle tone. This is an important developmental step for your baby as better oral skills can influence how well your baby eats, speaks and makes facial expressions.
When your baby is 8 to 9 months old, you can begin introducing different textures into her food. You can begin with tiny, soft, unnoticeable lumps in your baby’s foods. At first, she may selectively spit out these lumps, but in time, she will master the ability to control these little lumps in her mouth and swallow them. Slowly, you can move on to introducing mashed, ground, or chopped table foods. To introduce textures simply mix some textured foods into your baby’s smooth, pureed baby food.
Examples of foods that can be mixed with baby food,to add texture include
- fork-mashed banana
- mashed avocado
- mashed tofu
- puffed rice
- iron-fortified baby cereal
- oatmeal
- cooked rice
- fork-mashed baked potato (no skin)
- fork-mashed baked sweet potato, butternut or acorn squash
- cooked pastina (or very small, mashed pieces of pasta)
- melted cheese (stirred into food and allowed to cool
before serving)
Continue to feed your baby softly, pureed baby foods for most of the meal, and transition to more textures over a 6-8 month period. All children develop at a different pace, and many children are very sensitive to textures. If your baby is having a tough time, just take it slowly, and discuss the behavior with your child’s healthcare provider.
To smooth the way for introducing textures here are few tips that will help you out
- Always feed your baby in a “seated position”.
- Don’t be in a rush. Introduce new food textures one at a time and slowly add different ones.
- Start with foods your baby likes.
- Introduce new textures with other “smooth” baby foods that you know your baby will eat.
- Alternate new textures with familiar ones, this may help keep your baby interested.
Sample Recipes
Apple Carrot Casserole
- 2 Tbsp fresh apple puree (or baby food)
- 2 Tbsp fresh carrot puree (or baby food)
- 1 Tbsp cooked pastina or finely chopped spaghetti
Mix all ingredients together. Warm slightly (optional) and serve. Makes one serving.
Fruity breakfast cereal
- 2 Tbsp Rice Baby cereal
- 2 Tbsp Peach puree (or baby food)
- 2 Tbsp Pear puree (or baby food)
- 1 Tbsp fork mashed cooked rice
- 2-3 Tbsp of breast milk or formula
Mix all ingredients together. Warm slightly (optional) and serve. Makes one serving.
