Second Foods - Coles Baby Club

Once your baby is enjoying a range of first foods, begin to offer more variety and textured second foods to encourage chewing. Developing your baby’s chewing skills will assist with baby’s jaw, teeth and later speech development. Gradually increase the texture for second foods by offering foods that are mashed, grated or diced.

Puréed, finely chopped or minced lean meat and chicken can now be introduced for variety and nutrition. Be sure to remove bones and gristle from meat and chicken.

When your baby is able to grasp foods, offer soft finger foods such as soft fruit pieces, or cooked vegetables to encourage self-feeding. Once baby is enjoying a range of second foods you may like to introduce cheese and yoghurt to increase variety. Dairy foods should be full fat varieties at this stage to promote growth and development. Your baby has sensitive taste buds and there’s no need to add sugar or salt to second foods.

If you wish to offer an additional drink in hot weather, water is the best choice. Avoid offering sweet drinks such as fruit juice or cordial – healthy habits for later life too.

Click on the below recipes for second foods to introduce to your baby.

• Cheese twists
• Homemade vegemite rusks
• Meat sauce for pasta
• Green fingers
• Vegetable chips
• Rough vegetables
• Chicken supreme
• Apple crumble
• Boiled egg custard