Step 1: First tiny taste
Offer a small taste of well-cooked mashed polenta mixed until smooth. Watch for concerning symptoms during and after the feed.
Polenta
Overview
Polenta is a typical complementary grain around 6 months when your baby shows readiness for solids. It is not wheat. Offer well-cooked mashable polenta as a single new food.
Preparation
Cook polenta until very soft. Mix with breast milk, formula, or water until smooth and easy to swallow. Do not put cereal in a bottle. Always supervise eating.
Three-step introduction
Step 2: Larger offer
If tolerated, offer more of the same preparation at a later feed.
Step 3: Include regularly
Serve this food regularly in age-safe textures.
FAQ
When are babies usually ready for solid foods?
Complementary foods are typically introduced around 6 months of age, when the baby shows developmental readiness (for example, sitting with support, good head control, and swallowing food rather than pushing it out). Introducing solids before 4 months is not recommended.
Do I need to introduce foods in a certain order?
For most children, there is no required order for first foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats and other proteins, and other food groups can all be part of complementary feeding around 6 months.
How should I prepare polenta for a baby?
Cook polenta until very soft. Mix with breast milk, formula, or water until smooth and easy to swallow. Do not put cereal in a bottle. Always supervise eating.
Is polenta the same as wheat?
No. Polenta is made from corn and is not wheat. It is not listed among Codex priority allergens or FDA major food allergens. Wheat and other gluten-containing cereals are listed separately.
Sources
- WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age (2023)
- CDC — When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods
- FAO/WHO — Risk assessment of food allergens: Part 1 (Codex priority allergen list)
- FDA — Food Allergies (major food allergens / Big 9)
- CDC — Infant and Toddler Nutrition FAQs