Every bite counts in your baby’s first 24 months of life. Tiny tummies can ingest so little it’s critical that every bite they take is packed with big nutrition. Tradition has dictated that babies should start solid foods with infant cereal, fruits, and veggies – but there’s actually no medical evidence to support this progression. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Women Infants and Children’s Program (WIC), and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend introducing solid foods – like beef – to infants and toddlers in order to pack in nutrition like protein, iron, zinc, and choline which are essential for healthy body & brain development.
This post is sponsored by the Washington State Beef Commission.
Not only are nutrients critical in these early months, but introducing a variety of flavors and textures at an early age sets your child up for a lifetime of healthy eating habits and increases food acceptance as they age. The bottom line is – don’t delay introducing foods like beef!
Pureed beef mixed and thinned with water, breastmilk, or formula is a great first food for babies.
Unfortunately, since feeding our littlest family members beef as a first food hasn’t been common practice, there hasn’t been a whole lot of good information available about how to do it safely. And safety is always our top priorities for our babies. So today we’re changing that – here’s what you need to know to safely introduce beef as a first food to your baby.
Beef at 6 Months
Around this age, babies’ iron stores from birth are exhausted and they don’t get all the iron they need from breastmilk. Beef is a perfect first food during this time because it’s rich in iron and can help fill the nutritional gaps. At this stage of development babies are ready for smooth, single-ingredient purees and beef can be prepared in a food processor with water, breastmilk, or mixed formula to thin it and make it the right consistency to be safe for your little one. Another option is to put a strip of well-done steak into a mesh feeder and allow your baby to safely chew on the meat and suck out the iron-rich juices.
Beef that has been ground into easy-to-eat pieces can be an appropriate choices for older babies.
Beef at 6-8 Months
Babies can begin eating thicker purees or foods with a little more texture. Continue to feed beef as a puree, but it can be a little thicker. You can also mash the beef with other ingredients to turn it into an appropriate texture.
Beef at 8-10 Months
Babies typically begin self-feeding during this age and can handle tender beef that’s been shredded into small and easy-to-swallow pieces. During this phase your baby will begin their exposure to the traditional flavors your family loves.
Shredded beef is a healthy choice as your self-feeder moves into toddlerhood!
Beef at 10-12 Months
Chop up your family’s regular meals into small, baby-bite-sized pieces so they can enjoy your favorite foods alongside the rest of the family. They may even start self-feeding with utensils!
With a little knowledge and mindful preparation, your baby can safely eat the same foods as the rest of your family. There’s no need for separate meals, or to avoid introducing certain foods (like beef) early because they were traditionally withheld until later. When we know better, we do better. So give your baby the best and offer them beef early and often!
If you have questions about starting solid foods, always consult your physician or health care provider first.
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