Starting Solids, the Gourmet Baby Way
From first foods to family meals
Hi, I'm Suzy V
Mum of three, founder of Gourmet Baby, and passionate believer that babies deserve real tasty food too.
Like many parents, I quickly discovered that starting solids was one of those parenting milestones that sounded simple in theory but felt far more overwhelming in reality.
Everyone seemed to have an opinion. There were sleep consultants, breastfeeding consultants, baby-wearing consultants, and experts for almost every stage of parenting — yet when it came to starting solids, many parents were often left trying to piece everything together themselves.
At the time, I wanted something better.
I wanted nourishing purées that I would happily eat myself - not bland, lifeless "baby food" that parents pull a face at while still expecting their baby to enjoy it.
To this day, many parents frown at the thought of tasting baby food yet expect their baby to eat it happily.
My philosophy has always been simple:
If you wouldn't eat it, why expect your baby to?
That belief became the foundation of Gourmet Baby.
I created simple, nourishing purées made from real ingredients that could be offered on their own or easily combined with other foods as baby's palate expanded.
By keeping many of our recipes simple and allergen-free to begin with, parents could confidently introduce new ingredients, mix and match flavours, build variety, and gradually transition from first foods to more complex meals as their baby's confidence and appetite grew.
What began as homemade baby food in my own kitchen for my own children, eventually grew into a nationwide frozen baby food business, helping feed thousands of babies throughout New Zealand.
Along the way, I was honoured to become a finalist in the NZ Food Awards in 2018 for my Solids Starter Packs and receive Silver in the Oh Baby Awards in 2022 in the baby food category and yes, I did manage to knock Wattie's off their perch for a moment there 😉.
Over the years, I scaled recipes from small 1kg homemade batches into 150kg production runs while still maintaining the same philosophy that started everything:
Real ingredients. Real flavour. Real food.
But while Gourmet Baby was feeding babies, I realised something important.
Parents didn't just need baby food.
They needed guidance.
They needed support navigating first foods, allergens, textures, routines, milk feeds, finger foods, constipation, family meals, and all the questions that come with starting solids.
And let's be honest — social media can be brutal.
A parent asks a simple question about starting solids and suddenly finds themselves caught in a debate between purées, BLW, allergens, feeding schedules, finger foods, and twenty different opinions from complete strangers.
It can leave parents feeling more confused than when they started.
One of the reasons I created Gourmet Baby was to cut through the noise and bring things back to what really matters - helping parents feel confident while raising little humans who enjoy real food.
Because there is no perfect solids journey.
There is simply finding what works for your baby, your family, and your lifestyle.
As a mum of three, I've experienced that firsthand.
My first baby taught me how overwhelming starting solids can feel. My second wouldn't eat lumpy textures until around 14 months old. My third was what I'd call a true Gourmet Baby and is now my best eater.
Three children. Three completely different journeys.
That's why I created this space.
Today, Gourmet Baby is no longer just about purees and recipes.
It's about helping families confidently navigate the journey…
Through practical guidance, real food ideas, preparation systems, cooking methods, and honest support, my goal is to help parents feel more confident and less overwhelmed while raising little humans who enjoy real food and positive mealtimes.
Because starting solids isn't about perfection.
It's about creating positive experiences around food, building confidence one meal at a time, and finding an approach that works for your baby, your family, and your lifestyle.
The Emergency Stash
Once your baby has started their solids journey, my first piece of advice is this:
Create an emergency stash.
Trust me, you'll thank me later. 😆
Grab a shelf-stable food that your baby already knows and enjoys. For us, something simple like a tin of pear was perfect.
Not a new food.
Not a challenging food.
Not an allergen you're introducing for the first time.
Just something familiar that you know your baby will happily eat.
Pop it into your nappy bag along with:
A spoon
A bib
And leave it there.
This is your emergency solids stash.
It's for that day when absolutely nothing goes to plan.
You're stuck in traffic.
The appointment ran late.
The supermarket took longer than expected.
Nap times went sideways.
Or you've suddenly realised there's no chance you're making it home before your baby is hungry.
This little stash becomes your lifeline.
Because once solids become part of your baby's routine, hungry babies don't really care that the motorway is at a standstill or that Mum's day has fallen apart. 😆
The key is keeping it simple and familiar.
Something easy.
Something reliable.
Something that takes the pressure off when life inevitably gets in the way.
And trust me...
That day will come
A Quick Word on Food Pouches
Now this one might be a little controversial. 😆
Am I anti-pouch?
No.
Do I understand why parents use them?
Absolutely.
They're convenient.
They're portable.
They don't require a spoon.
They're easy to throw in the baby bag.
And yes, babies can happily suck them straight from the packet.
But here's my question...
Once you've opened it, do you really want to save it for later?
Once a pouch is opened, the food has been exposed to air and quite often baby's saliva too.
From that point on, the clock starts ticking.
You pop it back in the fridge or throw it back in the nappy bag and then what?
Do you remember when it was opened?
Do you remember how long it's been sitting there?
Do you label it with the date?
For me personally, it's a firm no.
Once opened, baby food should be eaten or discarded.
Not "I'll save that for tomorrow."
No mystery pouch rolling around in the bottom of the baby bag.
No wondering whether it's still okay three days later.
The other thing worth thinking about is that babies are smart.
Very smart.
And sometimes very efficient.
If they're regularly sucking food directly from a pouch, some babies can become less enthusiastic about using spoons, learning self-feeding skills, and exploring textures in the way we ultimately want them to.
After all, learning how to use a spoon, a fork, drink from a cup, and participate in family mealtimes are all skills too.
Now before anyone comes for me, your baby, your choice.
If pouches work for your family, that's completely up to you.
I just think it's worth considering both the convenience and the trade-offs before making them a regular part of the routine.
Have a question or recipe Idea?
Drop us a line below and let’s cook up something wonderful together. I love a good challenge!