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7 tips for introducing your baby to new tastes and textures
Introducing your little one to solid foods is an exciting milestone in their development. As your baby grows, exposing them to a variety of tastes and textures is crucial for their nutritional needs and helps develop their palate. Here are some practical tips to make this journey enjoyable for both you and your baby.
- Start with smooth purées
Begin with smooth purées around six months of age. Ideal first foods include iron-fortified cereals, mashed vegetables like sweet potatoes or carrots, and fruits such as apples, pears or bananas. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees are the ideal and convenient choice for parents starting their child on their solids journey. Squish 100% Fruit and Veg Purees are made using only fresh quality fruit and vegetables. They are free of colourants, flavourants and preservatives and contain no added sugar or starch. There are a variety of flavours to choose from as your baby begins to enjoy new tastes – and Squish pouches have a resealable lid so you can let your baby taste a little then put it in the fridge to try again later.
- Gradually increase texture
As your baby becomes accustomed to purées, slowly introduce more texture. Let them try lightly mashed avo or banana, this Veggie-loaded Mash, or Cheesy Scrambled Egg. Once they have got accustomed to more texture your little one can move on to soft finger foods. This slow progression helps develop their chewing skills and reduces the risk of choking.
- Offer a variety of flavours
Don’t be afraid to introduce a wide range of flavours, including savoury and bitter tastes. Research suggests that early exposure to diverse flavours, even mild curry flavours, can help reduce fussiness later on. You’ll find a whole range of wholesome and healthy recipes under the Quick + Easy Recipe tab on the Squish website, including My First Chicken Curry recipe and a flavour-packed Pasta Sauce.
- Be patient and persistent
It can take up to 15 exposures for a baby to accept a new food. Don’t give up if your little one initially rejects a particular taste or texture. Keep offering it alongside favourite and familiar foods without pressure.
- Make mealtimes fun and interactive
Encourage your baby to explore foods with their hands. This sensory experience is an important part of learning about different textures. Try not to worry about the mess – it’s all part of the process!
- Lead by example
Eat alongside you little one whenever possible. Babies learn by imitation, so seeing you enjoy a variety of foods can encourage them to do the same. Also let your little one try food from your plate if they are curious.
- Stay alert for choking hazards
Never leave your baby unattended while they are eating and avoid high-risk foods like whole grapes and nuts. Cut round foods into small pieces and remove any pips or stones.