Whether you make a start on weaning before the recommended six months or even a little closer to seven months, don't expect your baby to instantly chomp through complex meals. Instead, keep it very simple and think in terms of one or two spoonfuls of food alongside a full milk feeding regime.
Between six and 12 months, babies will make the transition from one vegetable mashed up, to combinations of fruits or veg, or even the beginnings of other meals with meat, pasta etc, finely chopped up. However, it is a good idea to make the very first feeds from just one fruit or vegetable so you can allow your baby to enjoy basic experiences first.
Apple
Apple is not too strong to taste and can be mashed either raw or softened slightly as steamed pieces, before mashing.
Although babies don't get the benefit of the skin's antioxidant properties because it would be impossible for them to eat safely, the apple's flesh is great for pectin (a soluble fibre) and fructose (a slow-release sugar).
Apples are good for digestion and to help against constipation.
Papaya
Papaya is more widely available in supermarkets these days, and can easily be prepared as a pureed meal for a baby because, when it is ripe, it can be mashed as easily as a ripe avocado.
It is rich in beta-carotene which is great for the skin. This can be a useful addition to a baby's diet as often babies have problems with dry or sore skin in their first year.
It's a great source of vitamins A and C and it contains enzymes well suited to aiding digestion.
Banana
When bananas are not so ripe, not only will you find it hard to mash them, but they will be too startchy for your baby to easily digest. However, when a banana is softer, it's a great source of fibre. They can be eaten when just beginning to spot with brown but don't let them get over-ripe, as the sugar loses its slow-burning energy power.
Bananas are also good for B6 - great for skin, and respiratory problems.
Broccoli
Easy to steam and mash, broccoli is quite a gentle but tasty first meal for a baby. It is a great source of vitamin C and iron (you need vitamin C to absorb iron so this is a perfect match) as well as containing beta-carotene and potassium.
Carrot
Big orange carrots are great for slicing, steaming and mashing, though you need some welly to really break them down! Make sure you peel them first as they absorb pesticides.
Carrots have a fun colour and a gentle, sweet taste so most children love them.
They are great for helping lung and eye health, as well as being good when a child has diarrhoea. They are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin E and contain some vitamin C.
Avocado
A creamy delight that's easy to mash, avocado is a wonderful first food.
The natural fats in them are monounsaturated and are great for skin, and not as fattening as their reputation suggests. Instead, they are easy to digest and have anti-bacterial value.
Like broccoli, avocado provides iron and vitamin C at the same time, as well as being good for potassium, essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E.
