Starting Solids

Starting Solids is another mile stone in your babies growth and you realise wow my baby is growing up and time is going quicker than you thought. First you have to determine when your baby is ready for solids. Not too long ago they were dependent on your breasts for

even that last drop of milk and now they are sitting up and taking interests in your lunches and dinners.

Introducing Solids is a huge mile stone for a baby and yourselves. It can be a stressful time trying all these foods but also a lot of fun. They like to smear the food everywhere and it can be messy and fun all at the same time. It is recommended by doctors that you breast feed for the first 6 months and for those who can't an appropriate formula and then introduce solids to boost your babies immunity. Some health professionals may suggest starting at 4 months, but however you make the decisions and you know when it is right for your baby. If your baby is sleeping right through the night and is 4 months and isnt requiring a feed thats great, they may still require a feed at that age. Sometimes people start solids if they are waking up for a feed during the night. But it is best to wait for the 6 month mark to boost that immunity.

When feeding your baby you must make sure baby is relaxed and you of course. Breakfast or lunchtime is a good time to start solids as it can interrupt their bedtime routines and if they have any allergic reactions to the solids you have given them it may progress through the night and you will be at the hospital in the middle of the night. If it was morning or lunchtime you can watch them and keep an eye on them for rashes. But however its up to you when you choose to feed your baby solids and what routines you have.

Breastfeed your baby a little bit not too much that it will fill him up just to get his appetite going and then start him on some solids. Turn off any distractions when feeding the baby solids so that he is focused on you and the food. If you have a high chair sit you baby in that or if you prefer sit the baby on your lap.

Start with foods like baby rice cereal with breast milk or formula or cooled boiled water and mix it in as instructed on packet. Put a bit on the spoon and feed your baby if he or she spits it out its ok, keep trying unless of course they become frustrated. Talk to your baby and tell him or her it’s yummy. I know my first child hated rice cereal so i added things like fruit in it like mashed up banana. You need to get your baby familiar with different textures of foods. It’s not to fill the baby its to get him used to it and try different foods. If the baby turns their head and closes their mouth they have had enough.

Some examples of foods to start with are Pureed;

• Potato
• Pumpkin
• Carrott
• Spinach

Then try pureed cooked fruit like;

• Apple
• Pear
• Peaches
• Apricots

Then follow with other pureed fruits like;

• Banana
• Avocardo

Then follow with pureed meats like;

• Meat
• Fish
• Chicken

 
Gradually indroduce new foods and thicker textures to their food so they get ready to go onto finger foods. If they don’t like it that day try again the next day. If still reluctant keep trying or leave it a week or so. Remember milk should still be the main part of their diet, so just keep breastfeeding or bottle feed as per normal.

As they get used to trying different foods their appetite grows and you can introduce new foods everyday to get used to the tastes. He or she might not like all the different foods but you will learn what they like and don’t like. It is suggested that you try a food up to 10 times before accepting that your child is rejecting it, unless of course if there is any allergic reaction, then don't continue. But its up to you how many times you wish to offer the foods. Around 8 months they suggest giving finger foods and they start feeding themselves.  You may end up with food all over the floor and all over the table but this is the fun part, but it’s all part of getting used to food and textures and they learn to feed themselves.

They become more interested on how they feel, look and taste like. You baby becomes familiar with the different tastes of food and he or she becomes independent. And around the 12 month mark you may start to bring in a fork and spoon so they can start feeding themselves. This might be messy for a little while or a long time depending on the baby. They may not get much in there mouth but encourage them to have a go at doing it themselves.

I hope this has assisted in helping to start solids.