Why I Didn’t Start with Porridge, Purées, or Fruit

When I was preparing to start solids with my baby, I did what many mums do: I went down the rabbit hole.

I researched everything—timelines, textures, first food lists, feeding methods. And what I kept finding was the same advice repeated over and over:

• “Start with rice cereal.”

• “Offer fruit or veggie purées.”

• “Introduce 100 foods by one.”

But even before that first bite, I knew something felt… off.

Grains like rice cereal and oats are often suggested as “gentle” first foods—but they didn’t make sense to me.

Tiny digestive systems aren’t designed to handle grains early on. They can be hard to break down, low in the nutrients babies need most, and even block mineral absorption.

I wanted my baby’s first foods to be easy to digest and rich in what actually fuels growth—not just what fills their tummy.

Fruit and vegetable purées are everywhere—on baby food shelves, in “first food” guides, and even homemade by well-meaning mums.

But from everything I’d learned, I knew that these foods—though not harmful—weren’t what my baby most needed at the start.

They’re often low in fat, protein, and iron—the exact nutrients required for brain development, immune support, and gut health. And they can be high in fibre or sugar, which tiny bodies aren’t ready to process well yet.

So much of the feeding advice focuses on how much or how many.

But I learned to focus on what actually nourishes—not what simply checks a box.

Babies don’t need a rainbow on their plate at 6 months.

They need real, simple foods their body can use.

The information in this post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider or a qualified practitioner for personalised guidance based on your baby’s individual needs.