How to convert your little one to consuming solid food
Introducing solid food can be a very daunting thought for many new parents. We share with you some great tips on how to go about doing it
How to go about introducing solid food to your baby
When you are considering weaning your baby onto solid foods, always remember to trust your own judgment by watching your baby’s development, do not worry too much about an expected time or age to start.
When is your baby ready for solid food?
Breast milk or formula provides all the calories and nourishment your baby needs and can handle before his half-birthday. Prior to that, your baby’s digestive system simply isn’t ready for solids.
Waiting until 6 months to introduce solid food to your baby also help minimize the risk of adverse reactions to foods and allergies. However, some parents are strong believers that babies are eager and ready to eat solids much earlier. Here are some signs to indicate that your baby’s ready:
- Your baby’s mouth and tongue develop with his or her digestive system. In order to consume solids, your baby must be able to chew, move food to the back of the mouth and swallow.
- Your baby needs to be able to keep his or her head in an upright position in order to keep solid food down
- Ability to express fullness from a “meal” with signs such as turning away from the bottle or breast.
- Doubling of body weight
What kind of solid food should I feed to my baby?
While it’s traditional to start your baby on solids with a single-grain cereal, there’s no medical evidence proving that you have to introduce foods to your child in any particular order.
Parents feed their babies a wide range of first foods but professionals suggest iron-rich, runny textured food that are usually cooked and pureed with some breast milk, formula or water. Here are some consistent recommendations on which foods to offer your new eater:
- Infant cereal, rice, barley, and oatmeal
- Meat and chicken
- Cooked egg yolk
- Purees of cooked sweet potato, butternut squash, carrots or avocado
- Mashed bananas or cooked apple
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