I remember when my first baby was small how much I worried over starting solid foods. It seemed so complicated at the time. Everyone seemed to have advice to give and it was all different. My mom started encouraging us to give our
son "just a little food" at about 6 weeks, others said wait until 4 months, or 6 months, some said babies don't need solids until they are 12 months. After 3 kids, I finally figured out that the truth is that there is not just one "right" way to introduce solid foods. Every baby is different. What it comes down to is this: Know a little about the research, but more importantly, know your own baby. Watch his cues and his reactions - he will let you know when he is ready and what foods his body needs. The following is an article I wrote for my mom's group. Remember that your (and your child's) needs may vary.
When should I introduce solid foods? - Current studies indicate that there is an increased risk of food allergies and diabetes if solid foods are introduced too early. As your baby’s digestive system begins to mature the risk of sensitization to allergens is lessened. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Some pediatricians will say that it is “okay” to start solids at 4 months; this should not be confused with a recommendation to start solid foods.
What cues should I look for to indicate that my baby is ready for solids? - Some developmental cues to watch for are:
· Sits with little or no support
· Loss of tongue-thrust reflex
· Shows great interest in foods others are eating
Every child develops at his own pace. Watch for your baby’s signs of readiness. Reaching for your spoon does not necessarily mean baby is ready for solids. At about 4 months, many babies reach for anything they can find to put in their mouths. If your young baby is reaching for your spoon at mealtimes, try offering just the spoon to play with and see if he is satisfied.
How do I start? Good first foods are single-grain baby cereals, such as rice or oatmeal or soft fruits such as avocado or banana. If you chose to start with cereal, whole-grain organic cereal is recommended. Be aware that rice cereal, bananas and some other foods can be constipating for some babies. (I wish someone had told me this! I started with rice cereal and then bananas. The result was not pretty!) Start by mixing 1 or 2 tablespoons of cereal with about 4 tablespoons of breastmilk or formula, or mash a little banana or avocado and thin with a little breastmilk or formula. The consistency for the first feeding will be fairly runny. Pick a time when baby is happy and alert, not tired or fussy. Nurse your baby first so that he is satisfied. At this point, solid foods are not to fill him up, they are for getting accustomed to new tastes and textures. Offer your baby the food on a spoon or from your finger. Don’t be distressed if your baby does not seem interested in solid foods. If your baby refuses, wait a week or two and try again. Your baby probably won’t eat more than a tablespoon at a time at first. Your baby's appetite will vary from one feeding to the next so watch for cues that he's full. A baby who refuses to open up for the next bite, turns away, or starts playing with his food is probably full. Resist the temptation to encourage "just one more bite". Babies need to recognize their own hungry/ull cues.
When should I begin offering other foods? You can begin offering other single-ingredient foods after your baby has gotten used to eating from a spoon. If your baby is interested, you can add one new food every 3-5 days. Go slowly and give your baby time to adjust to the new tastes and textures. Watch for signs of allergic reactions such as diarrhea, stomach upset, sudden stuffy or runny nose, hives or other rashes. Always keep benadryl on hand in case of a severe allergic reaction. If your baby seems to express dislike with a food wait and offer it again a few days later. It takes some babies time to warm up to new tastes and textures, and especially to foods with stronger flavors. You may have to present a food several times (experts say up to 15 times) before a baby will become used to it and accept it. If your baby consistently rejects a certain food, try mixing it with one that he likes to temper the flavor and allow him to become used to it. Stronger flavored foods such as broccoli or asparagus can be combined with cereal or potatoes. Once you have introduced all of the single-ingredient foods you can begin multi-ingredient foods. Most pediatricians recommend waiting until 9 months to offer meats, yogurt and cheeses.
Do I replace nursing with solid ‘meals”? No. You should nurse first and then offer solids. Breastmilk (or formula if you are not breastfeeding) should be 75-95% of your baby’s nutrition for the first 12 months. Baby will gradually move to more solids as he gets older. Breastmilk has all of the vitamins and minerals, proteins and fats that your baby needs. Replacing a food that contains just the right balance of fat, proteins, vitamins and minerals with a food that contains little to no protein and fat can result in slow weight gain. In addition, babies need fats and proteins for optimal brain growth and muscle growth.
How many times per day should I be giving solids? If you start at 6 months, your baby will probably be eating 3 small solid meals per day by about 8 months. Follow your babies hunger cues to determine when to give more solid foods. A typical days diet for an 8-month-old might consist of:
Breastmilk (or formula if not breastfeeding)
¼ cup cereal
¼ - ½ cup vegetable
¼ cup fruit
Every baby will not follow this pattern. Many babies can thrive on a breastmilk alone and take in little or no solids for the first year.
When can I move on to finger foods? Many babies are ready for finger foods at about 8-9 months. Some parents chose to delay starting solids until baby is ready for these finger foods, skipping the pureed stage. Offer soft foods cut into tiny pieces. Some suggestions for early finger foods are: toasted oat cereal, crisp rice cereal, well-cooked, diced vegetables, such as avocado, green beans, carrots or sweet potato, fresh fruits such as banana (frozen is nice in the summer!), pear, mango, peach, cantaloupe, soft cheeses (after 9 months) and whole-grain pastas. There is no need to buy special “toddler” foods. Compare ingredients – most commercial toddler finger foods are the same ingredients as comparable regular foods. Some of the toddler foods are even higher in sugar and sodium than the regular versions and most are made with refined white flour which contains very little nutritional value. Be an educated consumer. Just because a baby food company markets something doesn’t mean it is best for your baby.
Some general guidelines:
Avoid highly allergenic foods such peanuts and peanut butter, egg whites, wheat, cow’s milk and shellfish until your baby is at least 12 months old. Avoid raw honey as well because it can contain botulism spores that can make a baby sick.
Avoid over-feeding. Watch your baby’s cues to determine when he is full.
Juice is not necessary for babies. Juice has little nutritional value and is high in sugars. If you do give juice dilute it by at least half with water and offer it in a cup, not a bottle. Too much juice can lead to obesity in children. The AAP recommends no more than 4oz of juice per day.
Watch the ingredients in jarred baby foods. Watch out for added sugars and starches (tapioca starch) in “desserts” and “dinners”. Young babies do not need “desserts”. Help them develop a taste for fresh fruits and vegetables before giving foods with added sugars. It is not necessary to buy commercial baby foods. Fresh vegetables and fruits can be steamed and mashed with a fork or pureed. We used an inexpensive baby food grinder to make food for our little ones.
You can build healthy eating habits for life by offering your baby a wide variety of tastes and textures without added salt and sugar.
(November 2006) (
