Things You Need to Know When Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby

It is important to start at the right time. Most babies start eating at four to six months. But American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies to wait up to 6 months. This is to ensure that babies get the full health benefits of breastmilk. 

• Baby can hold his/her head up

• Sit with minimal support

• Double his/her birth weight

• Shows excitement on food

• Able to swallow

Babies who are not yet ready for solid foods tend to push out anything that is put in their mouth. This is a natural reflex that protects newborn babies from choking.

If your baby shows signs that he/she is ready to eat, start offering puree slowly and in a small amount. The puree should be watery and spoon dripping so it’s easy to swallow. Prepare a teaspoon of baby food and spoon-feed it to your child. If he/she likes it then offer a little more. But if the baby shows no interest, spit the food, or screams, it’s better to stop the feeding right away. Give it a little while before trying again.

Do not force your baby to eat. Remember that eating is new to him/her. It could take two, three, or even ten tries before he/she accepts the food. Make feeding time a happy bonding experience for you both. Avoid force feeding as it can leave a bad memory for the baby. You wouldn’t want your baby to hate eating. Follow the infant’s cues. Feed your little one when he/she is happy and eager to dig-in.

Introducing solid foods should be gradual. Begin with one teaspoon then increase the amount and consistency slowly. Offer one meal per day then move to one in the morning and one in the evening. Eventually your baby will be eating three meals a day with snacks in between. Add breastmilk or formula milk in baby’s food to lessen thickness and to put on a familiar taste.

• At four to six months of age – provide 1 to 4 tablespoons of single-grain cereal, fruits, or vegetables 1 to 2 times a day. Continue to give 24 to 36 ounces of milk or 5 to 8 nursing sessions every day.

• At six to eight months – give 4 to 9 ounces of fruits, vegetables, or cereal 2 to 3 times a day. You can start introducing minced meat this time by mixing it in veggies and cereal. Continue to feed milk about 24 to 36 ounces or 4 to 6 breastfeeding a day.

• At nine to twelve months – start training the baby for breakfast, lunch, and dinner by offering ¼ to ½ cup of baby food 3 times a day. Offer cut steam-soften veggies, fruits, chicken, cheese, etc. for snacks.

It is important to note that introducing solid foods to babies is for them to develop fondness of taste and texture. It does not necessarily give nutritional value for infants. In fact, babies’ digestive system during this age is not yet fully developed to absorb nutrients and calories. Babies’ primary source of nutrition and hydration for the first year of life is milk.

Introducing solid food is a beautiful experience you can tell to your child when he/she grows up. It is not just about preparing baby puree and spoon-feeding your little one. It makes wonderful memories that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.