5 Healthy (and easy) First Baby Foods

Wait, there's more to life than milk?! Most babies are ready for real food between 4-6 months. Key clues that they’re ready is when they’re sitting well with little support, have good head control, and can't keep their eyes off what you're eating! We asked Dr. Payal Adhikari, a board-certified pediatrician and expectant parents teacher at Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago, to tell provide us with her favorite first baby foods (Note to your mother: it’s not rice cereal!) as well as the info we actually need to know before you start.

1. Banana

Besides being loaded with potassium and fiber (good for baby poop!), bananas are a great first baby food because they're usually on the countertop and easy to mash up. Use a ripe banana, a spoon, and feed away!

2. Avocado

Paleo or not, most babies love avocados. They are full of good fats, vitamins and minerals, and also mash up with little effort. Pretty soon, they'll move onto chips and guacamole!

3. Meat

Breastfed babies can use extra iron, so why not start them on some pureed meat? While it may seem unappealing to us, babies often welcome the introduction of protein and will soon join you for a fancy steak dinner.

4. Sweet potato

Super food for your super baby! High in vitamins A, B6 and C (and many minerals!), sweet potatoes are perfect to start teaching your little one the alphabet. Mix with formula or breast milk to a pureed consistency, and start singing the ABCs!

5. Chickpeas

Pureed chickpeas are the baby version of hummus - Just hold the pita! High in protein and fiber, chickpeas are a yummy and healthy introduction to the more adventurous foods to come!