Nutritional Diversification for Baby - 1st step: 4 to 6 months

July 09, 2021

As part of our partnership, WHAT'sIN gives the spotlight to BÉABA nutritionist advice's on nutritional diversification for your little ones! This collection of articles will cover the 4 steps of nutritional diversification from 6 to 24 months.

Discover this first edition for babies aged from 4 to 6 months when they generally start to show interest in food.

Stay tuned to learn more about the 3 next steps!

Be it dreaded, emotional or funny, nutritional diversification is one of the most important stages in the life of parents and baby! It is as from the 4th month that baby generally shows an interest in food: it is a sign that he/she is ready to try something other than milk. To accompany you in this first step of discovery of tastes and textures, BÉABA® now gives you its best advice so that these moments become a pleasure for all!

Starting nutritional diversification step by step

Baby is starting to shun breast or bottle milk? Is he/she more and more interested in the contents of your plate? Is he/she sitting up? All these little signs show you that he is ready to grow up! Now is the right time to start diversifying his/her meals. A transition which must be done gently to avoid rushing baby and any allergic reactions.

Start by putting a tablespoon of puree made from only one vegetable in his/her milk. Mix finely, it should have a very smooth consistency and should, without being diluted, flow through the teat of a bottle. Little by little, increase the quantity of puree in the bottle; this can take a month to reach a real puree which you will then give by spoon.

Only introduce one new vegetable at a time, and another 48 hours after the first to check that there is no allergic reaction. As soon as two vegetables are tolerated, you can mix them together in the same puree.

Because baby has an acquired appetite for sweet foods, start introducing pureed fruit 2 weeks after the vegetables.

Finally, as from 6th month, you can introduce cereals by putting a teaspoon in a bottle.

Trust baby

Generally speaking, so that nutritional diversification goes smoothly, trust your baby. Your baby regulates himself/herself perfectly depending on his/her hunger: whether he/she has a big or small appetite, he/she will only eat what he/she needs.

The diversification will surely test your patience. You will have to accept that baby is growing up. Don't rush anything, listen to yourself and listen to your baby! Stay zen and breathe.

Make a real game of this stage and take this opportunity to educate baby by introducing new categories of objects and words. Name the vegetables and the colors, let him/her touch the foods… Everything is always easier when it's fun!

The composition of a meal

.You may feel overcome with this stream of information. What to feed baby, how to create his/her meals? Say to yourself that this basis should always be followed: majority milk + starchy foods + fruit/vegetables.

Example of a day's menu for a baby from 4 to 6 months:

In short!

The key point for a good start with nutritional diversification for your child is to progress and adapt to your child's rhythm. Each baby is different, evolves more or less rapidly. This step is a joy, not a chore. Remind yourself of this when your baby covers his/her high chair in puree! And to accompany you in this marvelous parenthood adventure, discover the Béaba® and Me App. Genuine nutritional coach for giving the best to baby, it is also and above all a committed community for sharing recipes and your children's experiences.

©Beaba