Baby Food Stages and Steps

There is no need in solid foods until baby is about 6 months of age. If you wait feeding baby solids, you will not need to make them too liquidly. Babies will be able to eat foods that are slightly textured. Foods can be softened or mashed in a blender or food processor. Sometimes just using the fork to mash is good. Always start by using single ingredient in case and allergies are present. Later try combination of 2 and more. Companies are making baby foods using a different label for stages. While the stages are not standardized, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides the guide.

Stage 1 food for beginners: These are baby foods that you might first start at 6 month contains single ingredient foods, like rice cereal, and pureed fruits and vegetables. See recipes for this stage
Stage 2 food: When your baby is 7-8 months old, he can eat Stage 2 baby foods, which include single ingredient and combination foods that are strained, instead or being pureed.
Stage 3 food: When your baby is 9-12 months old, he should be ready for Stage 3 baby foods. These foods have more texture and small chunks to encourage chewing.
Stage 4 food: Lastly, your baby will progress to Stage 4 foods or table food at the end of his first year or beginning of his second year. At this point, you may be feeding your baby the food that the rest of the family is eating, or you might continue to buy commercially prepared toddler foods.

The age advice is just general guideline. Some babies are ready for Stage 2 food before they are 7-8 months, while other babies might not be ready before they are 9 or 10 months old. Start each stage of baby food in his own good time.

Go to babyfirstfoods.com to find organic food recipes for your toddler and baby.