Written by Erica Bethe Levin
From a mom, founder, and someone who’s made all the baby food mistakes so you don’t have to
Introducing solids is one of those parenting milestones that sounds exciting in theory…until you're standing in the kitchen, covered in runny carrot puree mixed with spit-up, wondering if scraping mashed potatoes out of your bra counts as self-care.
I’ve been there. Twice.
As a mom and the founder of a baby food brand, Globowl, I’ve lived both sides: the slightly obsessive, research-everything phase and the “please just eat something” phase. I created Globowl because I wanted to feed my babies real food, full of big flavors, safe textures, and common allergens, not just mush from a pouch. Along the way, I picked up a few tricks I wish someone had told me earlier. So here we go.
🥄 1. Start with intention, not perfection
Whether you’re starting at four months, six months, or somewhere in between (using your child’s readiness cues and your pediatrician’s approval as directives), the goal isn’t to raise a Michelin star baby (yet). The goal is exposure.
Exposure to flavors, textures, colors, smells - and yes, even a little mess. My pediatrician always said to keep it fun and to try everything (except honey, and choking hazards like grapes - unless cut in small pieces).
It’s not about the food they swallow in the early days. It’s about the experience. Don’t stress if your baby gags, spits it out, or looks personally offended by lentils. That’s all normal. (And, by the way, gagging ≠ choking. Google it now, panic less later.)
🌍 2. Offer global flavors from the start
Here’s the tiny fork I’m falling on: babies do not need to start with bland food. Baby food does not need to be dumbed down because…babies aren’t dumb! In fact, starting with spice (yes, even gentle ones like turmeric, cumin, or ginger) helps prevent picky eating later.
When you introduce flavor early, you expand your baby’s palate and teach them that real food doesn’t taste like applesauce 24/7.
Globowl was literally born from this idea. Our Baby Bibimbap and Veggie Tikka Masala jars are safe for little tummies, balanced in nutrition, and full of flavor, but you can just as easily sprinkle cinnamon on sweet potato or add a pinch of garlic to broccoli at home. There are infinite possibilities!
🥬 3. It’s not just what you feed—it’s how
Texture matters. A lot. That’s why I’m a big believer in skipping the pouch and going for spoon-fed or self-fed options that actually require babies to chew, explore, and interact with their food.
Pouches bypass critical oral motor development, which impacts speech and feeding later on. And let’s be honest: you can’t see what’s inside them. I’m a big fan of knowing exactly what my kid is eating. Just as importantly: have you ever tasted one? I have. And I’ll just leave it at that.
At Globowl, we keep textures appropriate for little mouths but with enough “realness” that babies have to work a bit. You can do this at home, too - mashed lentils, tiny pasta, soft-cooked veggies cut into strips, etc.
🥜 4. Don’t fear allergens; respect them
Introducing allergens early (like peanut, egg, sesame, and soy) is now the recommended approach by pediatricians and allergy experts (not to mention pediatric dentists, occupational therapists, the USDA, NIH and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology). Early and often is the name of the game, ideally before 12 months.
You don’t need to offer them all in one day, obviously. But make a plan. Keep a food log. Start small and observe.
Globowl includes these common allergens safely and thoughtfully, because I want to make it easier for parents to do what science now says is best for baby. My recommendation for making this moment that may feel scary a little easier: do it on a weekday when you know your pediatrician is available, just in case.
🧽 5. Embrace the mess
Your baby will wear more food than they eat for a while. That’s not a bug; it’s a feature. The mess is how they learn, and they even develop fine motor skills because of it.
Feeding should be joyful, silly, curious; not rigid or rushed. Put down a mat, take off the onesie, snap a photo for the wedding or bar mitzvah album, and just go with it.
🫶 6. Trust your baby, but also trust yourself
Babies are surprisingly good at self-regulating. If they’re not eating much today, they probably will tomorrow. Don’t overthink every bite.
At the same time, you know your baby better than anyone. If something feels off like constant refusal, developmental delays, concerns about allergies, etc., talk to your pediatrician. You’re not being paranoid. You’re being a parent.
Final Thoughts
Introducing solids doesn’t need to be a Pinterest project or a power struggle. It’s a chance to introduce your baby to the world…through flavor, culture, and connection. And whether you make every meal from scratch or grab a jar of Globowl on a busy day, you’re doing great.
Seriously. You’ve got this.
And if all else fails? Put some of our Mini-Strone on a spoon and make airplane noises. Works every time.
Before you go, be sure to download this handy 100 Foods Before 1 printable from GloBowl!
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