Introduction of Solid Foods
Getting your baby ready for solid foods is an exciting stage in his development. Most pediatricians recommend nursing a baby for the first six months and then to slowly introduce him to a mashed form of solid foods around the age of seven months and to combine the introduction of solids with a gradual reduction on breast milk. Every baby is different and he will be the one to let you know when he’s ready to begin one form of feeding.
For the first four to six months of your baby’s life breast milk and formula is all he’ll need for nourishment. At about seven months he will begin to move solid food from the front of the mouth to the back for swallowing. When he does this he is ready for solid food.
He will show you signs of being ready for solid food by displaying some of the following characteristics: holding his head in a steady, upright position; sitting up with support; showing signs of hunger in between feedings and showing curiosity in what you are eating. If none of these occur you may want to hold off on solid foods until he develops the interest both physically and mentally.
When your baby is ready for solid food don’t just stop the breast feeding and move solely to spoon feeding solid food. Such sudden changes to any baby’s routine could prove to be a detriment to his development. A gradual reduction of nursing and introduction of solid food is recommended to ensure a smooth transition in eating habits.
Remember to start slow. Rarely does a seven month old baby devour all his solid food in the first few attempts. Many parents are happy to have two to three spoonfuls of solid food go down and stay down. When starting the introduction to solid food most doctors suggest trying a rice-based cereal to be mixed with a heavier mixture of breast milk or formula. Rice cereal is suggested since it is less likely to cause allergic reactions than oats or grain.
By now your baby is familiar and comfortable with the nipple of mommy’s breast or his bottle so the spoon will be a strange instrument to him at first. Have patience when spoon feeding him and be prepared for a closed mouth and head shaking. This is natural and if your baby shows reluctance then simply wait a week and try again. Nothing is perfect when raising a child so don’t feel you have failed if he doesn’t take to the spoon or even the food you are presenting. In time he will learn to enjoy both.