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Up to 8 months: finely milled textures
When a baby discovers food with classic diversification, he will generally discover his first pieces around 8 months. Over the months, he will gradually get used to new textures. It is recommended to start diversifying your diet with smooth purees. Over time, you can change the texture of its small dishes by mixing, for example, mixed rice or semolina, with its fine vegetable puree.
Around 8 months: his first melting pieces
Usually around 8 months (but it all depends on your child’s chewing ability), start to familiarize baby with the texture of the pieces. For example, coarsely mash the vegetables with a fork to make him discover more consistent textures. You can also offer him tender pasta such as angel hair or well-cooked shells. Another idea : offer him pieces alongside his usual mash. He will be able to see them, touch them, mix them. And in the end, to appropriate them to then agree to bring them to his mouth. On the other hand, avoid putting pieces in his mash potatoes for he might be surprised at that piece he did not see, and spit it out. As for the meat, wait a little longer and continue to mix it finely because it is more difficult to chew.
In video: The expert’s opinion: when to give my baby pieces? Marie Ruffier, pediatric occupational therapist explains to us.
From 12 months, let your baby discover small pieces
From 12 months, children become more and more familiar with small pieces. Take the opportunity to vary them in his small dishes : small cubes of carrots, potatoes or even a few small pieces of chicken. Always very melting.
Grasp food with your fingers, feeling their texture and smell allows your child to awaken to the taste. When preparing the meal, take the opportunity to let baby discover the vegetables before cooking them.
And to diversify its approach to textures, alternate “experiences”. How? ‘Or’ What ? By inviting baby to chew on a broccoli floret or a small carrot stick, for example. You can also peel and seed a tomato and roughly chop it into a cube. It will melt under his tongue. The possibilities are fun and endless!
The various stages of introduction are always carried out under surveillance and by encouraging discovery.