Starting solids with my second child as shaped up to be a piece of cake, mainly thanks to learning how to serve first foods like the Italians do with my first child. Although I was somewhat apprehensive about the transition to the Mediterranean method of introducing solids, I can now attest to the fact that it is easy, effective, and so much tastier than how we North Americans introduce solids.

My sweet daughter is on week three of solid foods, and boy oh boy, she’s loving every single scoop I give her. (You can read more about the first week HERE). In regards to proper food introduction, I had every intention to follow the 3-day rule, but I haven’t! Second child syndrome, perhaps?

Our first week of introducing solids was somewhat typical; banana, avocado, apples, etc. Last week we moved on to more flavourful, unique foods like mango, Greek yogurt, sweet potato oatmeal, cinnamon, pear, crumbled biscotti mixed with yogurt and formula, and Sweet Potato Apple Mash. We both, my daughter and I, have easily adapted to the Mediterranean approach to feeding baby solid foods. Albeit some suggested foods and other guidelines vary from the North American method, there’s no denying that the options are varied and flavourful, and there have been no complaints from my kids.

This is a typical recommended meal plan for formula-fed babies 6+ months (quantities and times will vary according to baby’s schedule). *Note that meals times in Italy are different than North American meal times so make changes accordingly.

8:00 – 8:30 Breakfast
About 8 ounces of formula
10:30 – 11:00 Morning Snack
Grated, mashed, or pureed fresh fruit
12:30 – 1:00 Lunch
Homemade broth with veggies, chicken or beef
4:00 – 4:30 – Afternoon snack
Fresh fruit with plain Greek yogurt and crumbled baby cookies
6:30 – 7:00 Dinner
About 8 ounces of formula

Homemade vegetable broth is an essential component to an Italian baby’s diet at 6 months. You can prepare it with veggies and/or a protein of choice. Serve the broth on its own, thickened with rice cereal, cooked rice, or baby pasta, or mash or puree the veggies or proteins and mix into the broth.

How to prepare lunch for baby:
150ml of homemade vegetable broth
1 tbs. baby cereal, cooked rice, or small baby pasta
1/2 Laughing Cow cheese and/or 1 tsp. freshly grated Parmesan
Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil

Which method did you use for introducing solids to baby? What is your take on the Mediterranean approach?