If you’re a first-time mom staring down the milestone of starting solids, you might be asking yourself, “Where do I even begin?” Don’t worry—you’re not alone. I’ve been there. When my daughter was five months old and I started noticing babies a little older than her happily gumming down food, I panicked.
The truth? I had never in my life fed a baby food before. All I knew was the equivalent of what I imagine a man might guess: “babies eat mushed-up food.” That’s it. I didn’t know what foods to start with, how much to give, or even how to tell if she was ready. Like many moms, I turned to the internet, only to be met with a tidal wave of conflicting advice. Baby-led weaning? Spoon feeding? Purees? The options felt endless—and overwhelming.
That’s when I stumbled across Jordyn from Eat Play Say. She’s a mom of two, a speech-language pathologist, and a feeding specialist who has created practical handbooks for parents. I purchased her Starting Solids Handbook, and it gave me exactly what I needed: a step-by-step breakdown of nutritional needs, the pros and cons of baby-led weaning versus spoon feeding, and recommended products to make the journey smoother. Even though I was still nervous, I felt more prepared, more knowledgeable, and ready to dive in.
Why I Chose Fresh Foods Over Store-Bought
Living in South Africa, I’m spoiled with access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables. Long before my daughter was born, I knew I wouldn’t rely on jarred or pouch baby food. Not only is it expensive, but why settle for processed when nature’s best is literally at arm’s reach?
When she hit six months and showed all the signs of readiness—sitting with support, showing interest in food, and losing the tongue-thrust reflex—we officially began starting solids at 6 months.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Starting Solids
Let me warn you: starting solids is a lot like shaving your legs for the first time. Once you start, there’s no going back. And while it’s exciting and adorable to watch your baby taste mashed banana for the first time, there’s also a flip side.
Babies gag. They cough. They make faces that will terrify you as a mom. My daughter’s first few weeks of eating left me so panicked about choking that I bought a LifeVac—one for the kitchen and one for the diaper bag. Some meals were so overwhelming that I’d hand over feeding duty to my husband or nanny and escape to my bedroom until it was over. Luckily, this phase only lasted a week or two. Once she learned to chew and swallow, I finally relaxed and began to enjoy mealtime with her.
My Baby Food Prep System
Since I committed to making her food, I invested in KeaBabies Glass Baby Food Containers. They were a game-changer. Durable, freezer-safe, and designed with secure lids you can label with dry-erase markers, these jars made labeling and organizing so easy.
In the beginning, I spent about three to four hours every couple of weeks meal prepping. I’d steam, blanch, and puree apples, pears, etc., into sauces, pour them into jars, label, and freeze. When it was time to eat, I’d thaw a jar and serve it alongside fresh fruits or veggies.
Some of our staples included:
- Apple and pear purees
- Sweet potato and carrot mash
- Chicken and veggie patties
It was work, but it gave me peace of mind knowing exactly what was in her food.
Baby-Led Weaning and Spoon Feeding
There’s so much debate about how to start with solids, but I’ll say this: there is no right or wrong. We went with a combo of baby-led weaning and spoon feeding.
I bought NumNum baby spoons—perfect for little hands because they hold food at any angle without slipping. Once she got the hang of feeding herself, we graduated to spoons with deeper bowls. By nine months, she was confidently feeding herself most of her meals.
Pro tip: pears became my secret weapon for keeping her digestion smooth as her system adjusted.
Fun Food Hacks We Loved
Homemade Popsicles
One of her favorite snacks quickly became watermelon popsicles. I’d mash watermelon into pulp, remove the seeds, and freeze it in ezpz popsicle molds. Perfect for little hands and refreshing in the summer. Bonus Tip: they also come in handy when your baby is teething. Just fill them with some breast milk or formula and let the soothing begin.
Learning to Drink
We introduced the Olababy silicone straw cup and the ezpz tiny training cup, both recommended by Eat Play Say, which helped her learn both straw drinking and open-cup sipping early on.
Smoothies and Snacks on the Go
This is where Low Country Littles completely changed the game for us. They’re a small company that makes silicone reusable food pouches that are durable, easy to clean, and designed with kids in mind. They even provide smoothie recipes for little ones. I usually pre-made smoothies, froze them in the pouches, and grabbed them whenever we needed a quick snack. They thaw quickly, are mess-free, and can be used for yogurt, soups, or even purees.
But my absolute favorite product from them might be the Coastal Cup. This little cup is genius—it’s perfect for snacks like blueberries, crackers, or puffs. The flexible silicone lid allows small hands to reach in easily without spilling snacks everywhere, which makes it a lifesaver for car rides and outings. It’s lightweight, durable, and the lid stays secure, so I never worry about it dumping all over my bag. Honestly, my daughter uses it daily, and it’s one of those products I wish I had from the very beginning.
Allergen Introduction
Introducing allergens is one of the scariest parts for many parents. There are now allergen packets that allow you to slowly add allergens into milk or formula—one of the most popular being Ready, Set, Food!. These pre-measured packets are designed to gently introduce top allergens like peanut, egg, and milk in small, controlled amounts. You simply mix a packet into your baby’s breast milk, formula, or puree each day, gradually increasing the exposure over time. It takes the guesswork and fear out of allergen introduction and is a system that’s backed by pediatricians and allergists.
My sister-in-law used allergen packs like these and swore by them for peace of mind. I highly considered going this route, but ultimately chose a different path. Because we decided not to vaccinate (a personal choice we made after research and watching Candace Owens’ A Shot in the Dark series), I felt less pressure around allergen introduction. Instead, we simply followed the Eat Play Say handbook and offered allergens one by one during meals. Thankfully, everything went smoothly.
High Chairs & Food Catchers: Do They Really Matter?
When I first started, I obsessed over the “perfect” high chair. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t matter nearly as much as Instagram makes it seem. Our first high chair didn’t even have a proper height footrest, and my daughter still ate just fine.
By the time she hit 14 months, though, it was clear she was outgrowing her first chair, and the lack of reaching the footrest was starting to frustrate her. That’s when we decided to upgrade to the Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair. Yes, it’s an investment, but the design is so versatile and long-lasting that we felt it was worth it.
One thing to know: every part of the chair is sold separately. To keep things simple (and more economical), I skipped the cushion—food spills so often that it would’ve just been another thing to wash every day. I also opted out of the tray and instead pulled her seat right up to the dining table. Now she eats from her plate alongside us, which makes mealtimes feel more inclusive and family-oriented.
And about those trendy food catcher mats that attach under the high chair? I never bought one. Honestly, with three dogs in the house, I have a built-in cleanup crew. For everyone else, your options are simple: clean the floor yourself, invest in a food catcher, or get a dog—personally, I think the dog is the most efficient choice.
Where We Are Now
Now that my daughter is almost a year and a half, feeding her has become much easier—and more fun. We still use our KeaBabies Glass Baby Food Containers, but instead of pureeing everything, I batch-cook Woolworths kids’ meals, divide them into jars, and freeze them. They serve as her main dish, and I always pair them with fresh fruits and vegetables.
And while we’ve evolved past those early puree days, my favorite investment by far has been Low Country Littles. We still use their products every single day—from the Palmetto smoothie pouches to the Coastal Cup—and they’ve truly become staples in our mealtime routine. Practical, durable, and beautifully designed, they’re the kind of purchase that continues to pay off long after the first bite.
What makes them even more special is the heart behind the brand. John and his wife Anna, the creators of Low Country Littles, are small business owners and parents of two little ones themselves. They designed their products as safe, thoughtful alternatives to what’s currently on the market—and you can tell they genuinely care about both their creations and the families who use them. They’re personable, hands-on, and deeply committed to their clients.
Check out their story here!
When I mentioned I lived in South Africa, they went out of their way to make sure I received the Coastal Cup before it even launched publicly while I was visiting the States. That level of care and hustle is rare, and it shows in everything they do.
They’re a company with drive, charisma, and so much potential—I can only imagine how many innovative and safe products they’ll create in the years ahead. Truly a kids’ product brand to keep an eye on.
Mealtime has evolved from the nerve-wracking gag-and-choke days into one of our favorite daily rituals. It’s no longer just about feeding; it’s about connection, conversation, and those sweet moments where the table feels like the heart of our home. Watching my daughter’s confidence grow with every bite is a reminder that these small, everyday practices shape not only her relationship with food, but also the rhythm of our family life.
If you’d like to see more about my motherhood journey, check out my posts on giving birth in South Africa as an expat, sleep training at 6 months, changing table essentials, and even this Pottery Barn toy cabinet dupe we love.
What it Comes Down to When Introducing Your Baby to Solids
Starting solids can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re bombarded with endless advice online. But here’s what I’ve learned: trust your instincts, use the tools that make sense for your family, and remember that eating is a skill your baby has to learn—just like walking or talking.
Yes, there will be gagging. Yes, it’s messy. And yes, there will be days you feel defeated. But there will also be magic in watching your baby discover the taste of pear, the joy of holding a spoon, or the independence of drinking from a cup.
In the end, it’s not about doing it “perfectly”—it’s about nourishing your baby and creating positive, stress-free experiences around food.
FAQ: How to Start Introducing Solids
When should I start introducing solids?
Most babies are ready for solids around 6 months, when they can sit with support, show interest in food, and have lost the tongue-thrust reflex.
Should I start with purees or baby-led weaning?
Both approaches work! Many parents, like me, use a combination of spoon feeding and baby-led weaning.
What foods should I start with?
Gentle foods like apple puree, mashed sweet potato, or avocado are great first options.
How do I introduce allergens?
Introduce one allergen at a time in small amounts. Pre-measured allergen packets like Ready, Set, Food! can help simplify this step.
What tools make starting solids easier?
Invest in practical tools like NumNum spoons, ezpz mats, and Low Country Littles Coastal Cup.
The Mode Edit: My Starting Solids Essentials
A curated guide to the products that made our starting solids journey simpler, safer, and more fun.
Feeding Tools
Storage & Prep
- KeaBabies Glass Baby Food Containers – Freezer-safe, durable glass with easy-seal lids you can label with a dry erase marker.
- Woolworths Kids’ Meals (South Africa) – A convenient base for main dishes once your baby is older.
Snack & On-the-Go Must-Haves
Allergen Support
- Ready, Set, Food! Allergen Packets – Pre-measured packets that mix into milk, formula, or puree to gently introduce allergens like peanut, egg, and milk in a controlled way.
Peace of Mind