Choosing the Best First Food for Baby: Consider Avocado

Nutrition throughout the first 24 months of life can have a large impact on future food preferences, behaviors, and health outcomes. Monounsaturated fats, vitamin A, folate, and lutein are all important for healthy growth and development, yet simply educating new and expecting mothers about these compounds is often not enough.²

New moms can feel overwhelmed when trying to decide on the best first foods to introduce to their little ones. Even as a dietitian myself, I experienced a large amount of anxiety over feeding my newborn. As a mother, you know every decision impacts the health of your child – that’s a lot of pressure. Luckily, there are some foods health professionals can recommend for growing babies who are ready to transition to solid foods.

Mashed avocado was the first food I offered to both of my sons. It’s also the first food I recommend to my own clients. In addition to being a good source of many critical nutrients itself, avocado can also act as a nutrient booster, enhancing the absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and E³. Parents can easily mash avocado with other soft foods like sweet potato or butternut squash for a multitude of nutrient benefits.

Consider recommending avocado to your patients who are beginning to offer solid foods to their child. Fresh avocado can be mashed alone or with other foods, or diced or cubed for a soft finger food.

Explore our latest resources for mom and baby.

• Healthy Beginnings: A Health Professional’s Guide to Helping Mom & Baby Thrive
• Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices: State of the Science and Caregiver Perspectives
• The Role of Avocados in Complementary and Transitional Feeding

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