When should you introduce solid food?
Date :
Thursday, March 18 2010
Source:
Autourina Mains
New parents often wonder when they should start introducing solid foods. During the first 3 months, breast milk or formula provides all the nutrients your baby needs. Your baby is growing rapidly and may require frequent feedings. The baby may be going through a growing spurt so follow the baby’s cue and feed on demand.
By around 4-6 months you may begin introducing solid foods. Some pediatricians may recommend starting solids by about 4 months but the American Academy for Pediatrics recommends starting solids by about 6 months. How can you tell if your baby is ready for solids?.....here are a few signs to look for:
- Does your baby show interest in foods? When you are eating, does your baby reach and grab your food?
- Can your baby support his head? In order for the baby to eat solid foods, she has to be able to hold her head up.
- Is the baby’s tongue-thrust reflex lessening? The tongue-thrust is when the baby pushes the food out of their mouth. When this reflex begins to diminish, they baby will be ready for solids.
Follow your pediatrician’s recommendation and once you have the go ahead, find a time of day when the baby is awake, alert and not agitated or cranky to introduce solid foods. Start with iron fortified rice cereal and be sure the baby is not starving hungry. The first foods need to be very soft and almost runny, so a little rice cereal mixed with a lot of liquid. Put the baby in your lap or in a high chair and spoon the food to the baby’s mouth. Let the baby feel, and smell the food. Don’t be surprised if the baby refuses the food at first. This is just an introduction so be prepared to clean food off the baby’s chin, bib, the high chair and yourselfJ
Over the next few months, you can gradually begin to add pureed vegetables, and fruits. Introduce one new food at a time and allow a few days between food introductions. A couple of reasons for the gradual introductions are to watch for allergies and to allow the baby to get used to the texture, and flavor of new foods. Most pediatricians warn against feeding your baby fish, citrus, nuts, honey, eggs and seafood (possible allergy foods). Reaction to allergies may manifest in:
- Rash around the mouth or anus
- Wheezing
- Diarrhea, vomiting
- Watery eyes and nose
By about 8-9 months babies are able to pick up finger foods and feed themselves. Encourage your child to feed herself as early as possible because she is less apt to refuse eating. Children as young as 8-9 months do like to be independent and you are fostering healthy eating habits when you encourage them to self-feed. Some of the best finger foods are:
- Cheerios
- Tiny cubes of cheese or strings of cheese (be watchful for chocking and make the pieces small)
- Tiny pieces of fruits; banana, very ripe peaches, pears, etc.
- Tiny pieces of cooked vegetables; potato, very tender cooked carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, etc.
- Tiny pieces of toast, pancakes, waffles, crackers,
Use your own judgment, consult your pediatrician and always be watchful for any choking hazards. Avoid raisins, popcorn and raw firm fleshed vegetables and fruits due their choking hazards.
The main nutritional deficiencies to watch for are iron and vitamin D. The best and most natural form of vitamin D is through exposure to the sun, though cow’s milk is vitamin D fortified as well. We need Vitamin D because without it the body cannot absorb calcium. . Breast fed babies get enough iron from the mother’s milk and formula fed babies usually get iron fortified formula. Many infant and children’s cereals are iron fortified and iron rich food include; meat, dark leafy vegetables (spinach). In order for the body to absorb iron, it has to have vitamin C……so add vitamin C rich foods like fruits and vegetables to your baby’s meals.