Best Organic Baby Starter Foods and How to Start First Foods

Remember that introducing solid food to your baby should be done slowly and carefully. Introduce one new food at a time and try this food exclusively (except for breastmilk or formula) for several days. Monitor for signs of allergic reaction. Allergic reactions do not occur right away, but rather after the food has been tried a few times. Once you know your baby does not react adversely to several foods you may mix the foods together.

Starting solids by introducing rice cereal is the standard - but this doesn't mean you can't start with other foods. Rice cereal is easy to digest and has a very low risk of causing an allergic reaction. Other grains, like oats or wheat, contain gluten that can be hard on a baby's delicate system.

If you are looking to buy a box of instant organic brown rice cereal look for trusted brands like Earth's Best and Healthy Times. Gerber offers organic brown rice cereal and other organic baby food under it's label Gerber Organics. Always read the ingredients on the package to be sure additional ingredients are left out.

Prepare a small amount of rice cereal with enough breastmilk or formula to make a runny consistency. Use a small rubber-coated spoon for your baby's first feeding. Don't worry if not much food makes it to his tummy. This is mostly practice.

You can even make your own organic brown rice cereal. Grind 1/4 cup organic brown rice in a coffee grinder until it is a powder. Add the rice powder to 1 cup boiling water and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Add breastmilk or formula to adjust the consistency.

Most babies love the sweet taste of fruits. Many organic fruits can be bought whole and mashed or pureed into baby food. Do not give citrus fruits to small babies, as they can be allergenic.

Bananas are a tried-and-true favorite. Just mash up an organic banana and offer small bites to your baby. Also try organically grown soft fruits like peaches, pears, apricots, and plums. Remove the skin from these fruits and puree in a blender or baby food grinder until smooth. An organic avocado is just as handy to bring along as a jar of baby food. Just cut open and spoon out soft bites.

Any of these fruits can be found prepared and jarred in the baby food section of the supermarket. Earth's Best and Gerber Organics brands can be found in most locations. Frozen organic baby food is becoming increasingly available, too. Look for the brands Tastybaby and Plum Organics in the frozen food section.

When introducing vegetables to your baby first offer foods with delicate tastes. Steer clear from pungent veggies like broccoli or asparagus until your baby is used to solid foods. However, just because your baby may not like a certain food at first bite it is important to offer it again and again.

First vegetables to try include carrots, squash or pumpkin, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. If you buy these foods prepared first read the ingredient label to be sure no additional foods or preservatives are used.

You can prepare these vegetables for you baby at home, too. Peel and chop the vegetables into chunks, then steam until very soft. Puree in a food processor or using a baby food grinder. Add breastmilk or other liquid to adjust the consistency.