First Feeding: Complete Guide for a Safe and Conscious Introduction
Introduction
Complementary feeding is a crucial stage in child development. Beyond incorporating new foods into your baby's diet, it represents an opportunity to establish healthy habits that will positively impact their present and future health. The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to solid foods should be done in an informed, respectful, and conscious manner. This comprehensive guide from Teamko is designed to guide you through the process, providing up-to-date information based on scientific evidence and supported by experts in child nutrition and pediatrics.
What is complementary feeding?
Complementary feeding is the process by which foods other than breast milk or infant formula are introduced, maintaining breastfeeding as the nutritional foundation, but offering the baby a range of essential nutrients for growth.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , complementary feeding should begin when breast milk or formula alone no longer covers the infant's nutritional needs, around 6 months of age.
(WHO, 2021)
Main objectives of complementary feeding:
- Meet the growing nutritional needs for energy, protein, iron, zinc, vitamin A and other nutrients.
- Promote the development of oral motor skills and hand-mouth coordination .
- Promote healthy eating habits that continue into childhood and adulthood.
When to start complementary feeding?
The general recommendation is from 6 months , but it is essential to observe signs of maturity that indicate the baby is ready to begin:
- Adequate head control (keeping your head upright).
- Sitting without support, or with minimal support.
- Eye-hand-mouth coordination: voluntarily bringing objects to the mouth.
- Loss of the extrusion reflex (pushing food out with the tongue).
👉 Starting before 6 months increases the risk of choking and food allergies; after 8 months, it may increase the risk of iron deficiency.
(ESPGHAN, 2017)
Methods for offering complementary feeding
1. Traditional Method (Porridges and Purees)
- Start with pureed or mashed foods, gradually advancing to coarser textures until you reach solids.
- Advantage: Parental control over quantity and type of food offered.
- Recommended if the baby has any condition that limits his or her ability to self-feed initially.
2. BLW (Baby Led Weaning)
Proposed by nurse Gill Rapley in 2008, BLW involves babies feeding themselves from the start, choosing and handling food directly with their hands.
Benefits of BLW (according to recent studies):
- Improves the relationship with food and reduces the risk of childhood obesity.
- It promotes psychomotor development and coordination.
(Rapley & Murkett, 2010; Brown & Lee, 2011)
3. Mixed Method
It combines the advantages of the traditional method and BLW. Purees are offered alongside solid foods suitable for babies to practice their motor skills.
What foods should be offered in complementary feeding?
Suggested first foods:
- Fruits : Banana, pear, cooked apple, avocado.
- Vegetables : Carrot, zucchini, sweet potato, broccoli (cooked and soft).
- Whole grains : Oats, brown rice.
- Legumes : Lentils, chickpeas (well cooked and mashed at the beginning).
- Meats : Cooked and shredded chicken, turkey, or lean beef.
- Fish : White, boneless, cooked properly.
Foods to avoid:
- Honey before one year of age (risk of botulism).
- Added salt and sugar .
- Whole nuts and popcorn (choking hazard).
- Juices and soft drinks .
- Ultra-processed or high-sodium foods.
How to offer food safely?
- Cut the food into long strips the size of the baby's fist (if you are doing BLW).
- Make sure the food has the right texture: soft, so it can be crushed with your fingers.
- Never leave your baby unattended while eating.
- Don't introduce multiple new foods at once; do so one at a time, every 3 to 5 days, to test for possible allergies.
Main nutrients to monitor
1. Iron
Essential for preventing anemia. It's found in red meat, liver, and legumes. It's recommended to pair these foods with sources of vitamin C to improve its absorption.
2. Zinc
Important for growth and immune development. Found in meats, legumes, and whole grains.
3. Essential fatty acids (DHA and EPA)
Essential for brain and visual development. Sources: fatty fish such as salmon.
Practical recommendations for parents
✅ Establish regular feeding schedules, without forcing the baby.
✅ It offers a variety of flavors, colors, and textures from the start.
✅ Respect your child's appetite; babies know how to self-regulate their intake.
✅ Maintain a relaxed and positive attitude throughout the meal.
Myths and realities about complementary feeding
Myth: If your baby doesn't eat well, it's because he doesn't like the food.
Fact: Babies need time to adapt to new textures and tastes. Repeated exposure (up to 15 times) increases acceptance.
(Source: Ventura & Worobey, 2013)
Myth: The introduction of allergenic foods should be delayed.
Fact: Current evidence recommends introducing these foods (egg, fish, legumes) between 6-12 months to reduce the risk of allergies.
(Source: NIAID Guidelines, 2017)
Conclusion
Complementary feeding is a fundamental stage that requires patience, observation, and a respectful approach. Proper implementation strengthens not only the child's nutritional status but also the emotional relationship with him or her.
At Teamko , we offer products designed to make this process easier: bamboo suction cups, ergonomic cutlery, and reusable silicone bags that make every meal a safe, practical, and fun experience.
References and Bibliography
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Complementary Feeding: Family Foods for Breastfed Children .
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241599290 - Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP). (2022). Recommendations on Complementary Feeding in Childhood .
- Rapley, G., & Murkett, T. (2010). Baby-Led Weaning: Helping Your Baby to Love Good Food .
- Brown, A., & Lee, M. (2011). A descriptive study investigating the use and nature of baby-led weaning in a UK sample of mothers . Maternal & Child Nutrition.
- ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. (2017). Complementary Feeding: A Position Paper by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition . Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
- Ventura, A.K., & Worobey, J. (2013). Early influences on the development of food preferences . Current Biology.
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). (2017). Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States .
- Siegel, D., & Bryson, T. (2018). The Whole-Brain Child .
- Gill Rapley (2008). Baby-led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods .