Researchers wanted to understand what foods parents are giving babies when they start eating solid foods (around 4-6 months old). They surveyed 344 parents about the foods they offered their babies over the past month. The study found that older babies tend to eat a wider variety of foods, and babies who get both breast milk and formula tend to eat more different foods than babies who get only one type. Interestingly, baby girls were offered less variety than baby boys. The researchers suggest that parents should focus on introducing many different nutritious foods to their babies during this important eating stage.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Which babies eat a variety of different foods when they start eating solid foods, and what parent and family factors affect this
  • Who participated: 344 parents (mostly mothers, average age 31) who had babies between 4-26 months old (average age 17 months). About 42% of the babies were girls
  • Key finding: Older babies eat more different foods than younger babies. Babies getting both breast milk and formula eat more variety than babies getting only one type. Baby girls were offered less variety than baby boys
  • What it means for you: If you have a baby starting solid foods, try introducing many different healthy foods early on. The variety babies eat increases as they get older, but you can help by offering different foods from the start. Talk to your pediatrician if you notice your baby isn’t getting enough variety

The Research Details

Researchers asked 344 parents to fill out a survey in January 2022 about what foods they had given their babies in the past month. The survey asked about many different types of foods—fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and more. The researchers then looked at the answers to see which babies were eating lots of different foods, which were eating some variety, and which were eating mostly the same foods. They used a special computer method to group the families into these three categories based on their answers.

The researchers then looked at information about each child (age, whether they were a boy or girl), information about each parent (age, education level, income), and information about the household (how many people lived there, whether they had enough money for food) to see which factors were connected to babies eating more variety.

Understanding what babies eat and why is important because eating a variety of foods early in life helps babies get all the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. It also helps them learn to like different tastes and textures, which can help them eat healthier as they grow up. By knowing which families give their babies more variety, researchers can help other families do the same.

This study asked parents to remember what they fed their babies over the past month, which means some details might not be perfectly accurate. The study only looked at one point in time, so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same over months or years. The families who answered the survey might be different from all families in the US, so the results might not apply to everyone. However, the study included a good number of families and asked detailed questions about many different foods

What the Results Show

The researchers found three clear groups of families: those giving babies low variety, moderate variety, and high variety of foods. Older babies were much more likely to be in the high variety group—for every month older a baby was, they were about 10% more likely to eat lots of different foods. This makes sense because younger babies can only eat soft foods and may not be ready for as many options.

Babies who received both breast milk and formula were nearly three times more likely to eat a high variety of foods compared to babies who got neither (which likely means they got only one type). This was surprising and suggests that families using both types of milk might be more likely to introduce different foods.

Baby girls were actually less likely to be offered a variety of foods compared to baby boys. For every girl in the high variety group, there were about two boys. This is an important finding because it suggests parents might be treating boys and girls differently when it comes to food introduction.

While the study found these main patterns, it also showed that families who reached the ‘high variety’ group didn’t all do it the same way. Some families gave lots of fruits and vegetables, while others gave more grains and proteins. This means there are many different ways to give babies good variety, not just one right way. The study also looked at parent education, family income, and household size, but these factors didn’t show as strong a connection to diet variety as child age and feeding type did

Previous research has shown that eating variety early in life is good for babies’ development and helps them accept more foods later. This study adds to that by showing that in the US, many babies aren’t getting as much variety as they could. The finding about girls getting less variety is new and suggests this might be an area where parents need more guidance. The connection between combined breast milk and formula feeding and higher variety is interesting and might mean that families using both types are more confident about introducing new foods

This study asked parents to remember what they fed their babies over the past month, and memory isn’t always perfect. Parents might forget some foods or remember others more clearly. The study only looked at families who answered an online survey, which might mean it includes more educated or higher-income families than the general population. We don’t know if these patterns stay the same over time or if they change as babies get older. The study also didn’t ask why parents made the choices they did, so we can’t say for sure what causes the differences we see

The Bottom Line

Parents should try to introduce a variety of healthy foods to babies starting around 4-6 months old, including fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy products. Don’t wait until babies are older to start offering variety—start early and keep offering different foods even if babies reject them at first. It may take 10-15 tries before a baby accepts a new food. Parents of girls should pay special attention to making sure they’re offering the same variety as they would to boys. (Confidence: Moderate—this is based on one study, but it aligns with other nutrition research)

All parents and caregivers of babies starting solid foods (around 4-26 months old) should pay attention to this research. It’s especially important for parents who might not have thought much about food variety. Parents of girls should be particularly aware of the finding that girls are sometimes offered less variety. Healthcare providers like pediatricians and nutritionists can use this information to guide families. This research may not apply to families with food allergies or restrictions, so talk to your doctor about your specific situation

You might notice your baby becoming more interested in different foods within a few weeks of introducing variety, but it can take months for them to truly accept and enjoy new foods. Don’t expect immediate results—food acceptance is a gradual process. By 18-24 months, babies who have been exposed to variety should be eating a noticeably wider range of foods than babies who haven’t had that exposure

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the number of different food groups your baby eats each week (fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, dairy). Aim to introduce at least one new food per week and count how many different foods your baby has tried in the past month
  • Use the app to create a weekly meal plan for your baby that includes foods from at least 4-5 different food groups. Set reminders to try one new food each week and log whether your baby accepted it. Over time, build a list of ‘accepted foods’ to see your baby’s growing variety
  • Every month, review your app data to see how many different foods your baby has eaten. Create a visual chart showing the variety increasing over time. If you notice your baby isn’t getting enough variety, use the app to set specific goals and track progress toward introducing more foods from underrepresented groups

This research provides general information about feeding patterns in babies and should not replace advice from your pediatrician or registered dietitian. Every baby is different, and some babies may have allergies, sensitivities, or medical conditions that affect what foods they can eat. Always introduce new foods one at a time and watch for allergic reactions. Consult your healthcare provider before making major changes to your baby’s diet, especially if your baby has any health concerns or family history of food allergies. This study was conducted in the US and may not apply to all populations or cultures.