Mashed Banana is a great starting point when you are beginning to introduce solids into Baby’s diet. Banana is easy to digest, sweet to the taste, and full of nutrients. Banana allergies are also rare. Extra bonus points that you can serve it raw, and that means low preparation time for you.
Introducing Solids to Babies
La Leche League published a helpful article on when to start solids with Baby. A general rule of thumb indicates babies are ready for solids at around 4-6 months of age. Breast milk supplies all the nutrients necessary for proper development up until 6-months of age, and babies may start as early as 4-months assuming they are showing signs of being ready for solids.
There are multiple methods for introducing new foods to Baby. This article breaks down the benefits and drawbacks of baby-led weaning (skip purees and move straight to finger foods), spoon feeding (begin with purees and gradually transition to solids), and combo feeding (a mix of both).
First and foremost, if there is a history of allergy in your family, consult your pediatrician!
Introduce only one new food at a time and wait 3-5 days before introducing another new food. Watch for signs of allergies (e.g., hives or rash, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, swelling, itchiness, or eczema), and consult your pediatrician if you detect any symptoms.
Current research has indicated that nuts should be introduced to babies shortly after they start solids, as early introduction trains their immune systems to recognize that nuts are not a threat. This summary provides more details.
There are many articles about the quantity of food your baby should be eating. If you’re looking for a general benchmark … check-out this article. Once you review this guidance, remember every child is different and trust your instinct.
Mashed Banana
When it comes to bananas, I’ve summarized our progression below. Use a fork to mash the banana to the desired consistency.
- Banana thinned with breast milk or formula to watery consistency (1 part banana to 2 parts liquid)
- Banana puree (1 part liquid to 2 parts banana)
- Banana with seed or nut butter (starting with about 1 teaspoon per half of banana and gradually increasing to 1 tablespoon)*
- Whole (cut half a banana in half along the long edge and cut in half again along long edge to create slivers easy to grasp)
*The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 11 grams of protein per day for babies from 7- to 12-months. Breast milk has approximately 2.5 grams of protein per 8-ounces, and refer to the label for formula.
