Is Your Baby Ready for Solid Food?

Introducing solid food to your infant is a challenging job but also filled with excitement and pleasure. We are there to help you find out whether your child is ready for solids and foods that should be introduced first.

Introducing solid foods to a baby is so exciting that most of the parents eagerly wait for the lovely time to arrive. Sometimes, it seems as if more than parents, their infants are impatient about getting the new solid diet. Your baby is no more satisfied with your feed or bottle and has started chewing motions with his mouth. Find out when your baby is ready and when is the right time to switch to solid food.

Precautions to be taken before you Start:

Before you get ready to introduce solid food to your baby and start piling baby food or baby spoons, remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests breastfeeding as the only source of nutrition for your child at least for the first six months. Moreover, also take the advice of your pediatrician regarding whether or not you should introduce solid food to your tiny tot. Sit with your pediatrician to discuss your family history (if someone in the family has any allergic problems) and if your little one is prepared for solid food intake before he has completed his six months (some infants are).

The Test of Taste:

After introducing solid foods, some babies develop rashes or get diarrhea. So it is very important to test everything for five to six days constantly to see the reactions. New food should always be introduced during daytime so in case of any complication such as the baby feeling uncomfortable or gassy, you can go to the doctor or handle it yourself both of which are not possible in the middle of a night.

Is your baby ready?

Before introducing solid foods to your baby, look for the following signs to ensure that the child ready to adopt the new diet pattern:

• Your baby should be able to sit without any support and has a good control over his head and neck.
• When you introduce the spoon, your baby should open his mouth voluntarily to show that he likes eating.
• Whatever the foodstuff, your little one should show interest while you are eating.

Food to Be Given:

Most commonly, the very first food introduced is the highly iron-rich rice cereal. The cereal is a mixture of water, formula, and breast milk and is prepared into a paste-like, loose consistency. Mostly, pediatricians suggest that the cereal should be started at around six months. In the beginning, your baby may respond by pushing the spoon or cereal out with the tongue indicating that he didn’t like it. However, this is simply a natural response, and he may probably take some time to get used to this new style of eating.

If your newborn has been gaining weight and doing well, then your pediatrician may recommend you to start pureed fruits and vegetables between 6 and 8 months after which (8 months), pureed meats can be considered.

However, always remember that breastfeeding and formula should remain the primary diet source for your little one for at least a year.

Babies take their own sweet time to get ready for a solid diet. So consider your own natural feelings to determine the right time to start with a solid food intake for your baby. When you feel that he is ready for it, consult your pediatrician about the same.

Is Your Baby Ready for Solid Food?

Introducing solid food to your infant is a challenging job but also filled...