As recommended by The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics, you should start introducing solid foods to your infants at around six months of age; this is when their intestines are almost developed. In some cases, some doctors suggest starting at four months but the longer you wait, the better as it may develop allergies.
Some points below will help you plan on how to feel your little ones:
Some signs that your baby is ready for solid food?
- Your baby needs good head and neck control and should be able to sit in a sitting position.
- Baby should display the need for food; it could be that they reach out to it.
- Your baby can push the food to the back of their mouth.
What is the best time of day to feed my baby?
- Pick a dedicated time when you know your baby will not be cranky.
- Morning hours are usually the best.
- Usually, an hour after you have nursed them.
Some good examples of first foods for my baby?
- Small chunks of mashed banana or avocado.
- Cooked and mashed (sweet or white) potatoes.
- Cooked whole-grain cereals with oats or quinoa
- Well cooked and soft, pureed fruits and vegetables.
Any wait time before introducing a new food item?
- You can introduce new foods every few days.
- Make sure to keep an eye on allergic reactions. If you diagnose anything, immediately speak to your baby’s pediatrician.
How much food should I feed my baby in one sitting?
- Start with one to two tablespoons in one sitting, one to two times a day.
- See how your baby accepts it and slowly and gradually increase it.
- Let your baby be the judge here.
When should I move from pureed foods to textured foods?
- There will be a time when your baby will frequently be eating and in larger quantities and more regularly, but you have to introduce different types of textured food to reach there.
- Based on research, if you wait for more than nine months before introducing textured foods, your baby will most probably develop selective eating habits or rejection habits.
- So once you feel that your baby is comfortable with pureed food, immediately introduce different types of textured foods to them.
- By your child’s first year, they will most probably sit at the family table and eat soft finger foods.
Any food items I should avoid?
- Honey
- Whole milk
- Excess sodium (salt)
- Foods that can lead to choking hazards
- Coffee, tea, and caffeine-containing soft drinks
- Juice and sweetened beverages
- Artificial preservatives and artificial sweeteners
To know more about introducing solid foods to infants and how to feed your child during the early years, contact Pediatric Healthcare. Call us at (281)655-1500 or (936)539-8190 to schedule your appointment with one of our pediatricians.
