Hey dads,
Our little one is around 9 months now and has a few solid favorites – think bananas, avocado, and anything with sweet potato. Which is awesome, because at least she’s eating! But honestly, sometimes I feel like we’re in a bit of a rut, just cycling through the same five things.
I’ve been trying to introduce new things, you know, a bit of chicken, some broccoli, different grains. And sometimes it’s a hit, but more often it’s just a polite sniff and then a push away, or it ends up on the floor. It can be a little deflating when you’ve put in the effort. I know “food before one is just for fun” and all that, but I’m also keen to make sure she’s getting a good variety and developing a broad palate. And honestly, just trying to keep mealtime interesting for us too!
So, for those of you whose babies are past the very first stages of solids, how do you approach introducing new flavors and textures? What practical tips have worked for you to get them interested in trying something different, or just to keep mealtime interesting? I’m curious about consistency, presentation, or any other tricks you’ve found helpful.
Hey man, totally resonate with that feeling of being in a food rut! Our little guy is 10 months and it feels like we’re constantly rotating through the same few things too. We’ve had some very minor ‘success’ with just… consistently putting the new food on his plate, even if he doesn’t touch it. Like, a piece of bell pepper might show up for three days in a row next to his usual banana, even if it just gets ignored or squished. I’ve heard that repetition can eventually make it more familiar and take the pressure off. But honestly, sometimes I wonder if I’m just wasting food!
How many times do you guys usually offer something before you decide to rotate it out for a bit, or do you just keep it in the rotation indefinitely? And have any of you tried really different presentation styles, like cutting things into fun shapes, or does that just end up on the floor regardless? I’m still trying to figure out if it’s worth the extra effort sometimes.
Mix a small amount of the new food right into one of their current favorites. They’ll get the taste without feeling pressured. That’s how we snuck in a lot of different stuff.
Hey everyone, this is such a timely thread. Our little guy is 11 months and it’s the exact same story here – sweet potato and banana are kings! We’ve been trying to introduce more textures, especially, since he’s mostly been purées so far. I’ve found that sometimes if I’m eating the same new thing right next to him, he’s a little more inclined to try it, almost like a ‘monkey see, monkey do’ thing. It doesn’t always work, but it feels like a low-pressure way to expose him to it.
I also try to let him play with it a bit first, even if it ends up squished. My thinking is that maybe getting familiar with the texture and smell, even if it’s not going in his mouth, is a step in the right direction? It definitely makes a mess though, and sometimes I wonder if I’m just enabling the food throwing!
What about timing? Do you guys find a particular mealtime or a certain level of hunger works best for new foods? Like, should I offer the new stuff first when he’s really hungry, or mix it in later once he’s had some of his faves and isn’t quite as ravenous?
Don’t give up on a food after a few tries. It took our kid 10+ times to even touch certain veggies. Just keep offering small pieces without pressure.
That’s a really interesting idea, I hadn’t thought about just mixing it in like that! We usually offer new things separately, so it’s either accepted or rejected outright. I guess the idea is they get a hint of the flavor with something they already love, which makes a lot of sense for avoiding pressure.
Have you found that they eventually start accepting that ‘new’ food on its own, once they’ve gotten used to it being mixed in? Or does it end up being a strategy you use consistently for certain things that just aren’t popular solo?
Hey man, you’re spot on with the consistent offering. That’s exactly what works and honestly, it’s not wasting food at all, even if it just gets squished. What’s really happening there is exposure – your little guy is seeing it, smelling it, touching it. All of that sensory input is building familiarity, and that’s the absolute biggest hurdle for new foods. You’re essentially de-pressurizing the whole situation for him, which is key.
As for how many times to offer something, don’t even think about rotating it out permanently at this stage. Think of it more like keeping it in a regular, low-pressure rotation. We probably offered some veggies 15-20 times before our kids actually took a bite and swallowed it. The ‘magic number’ is often cited as around 10-15 exposures before a kid might even try something, and that’s just a taste, not necessarily loving it. So keep those bell peppers coming! The goal isn’t immediate acceptance, it’s consistent, calm exposure over time.
And on presentation – cutting things into fun shapes can sometimes spark interest, but honestly, at 10 months, it’s often more for our entertainment! If it’s easy for you to do, go for it. If not, don’t sweat it. The simple act of seeing a new food, whatever its shape, is doing the heavy lifting. Don’t worry about ‘wasting food’ or if it ends up on the floor; that’s part of the sensory exploration, and it’s teaching them about textures and gravity! It’s all just building blocks for a broader palate later on. You’re doing great.