When Should You Start Giving Solid Food To Your Baby?

It would be best if you introduce the baby to food other than breast milk or formula at six months old. Introducing foods before four months old is not recommended. Each child is unique. What are the signs your child is ready for foods other than breast milk or infant formula? These signs indicate that your child is ready to start eating foods other than breast milk or infant formula.

Is Your Baby Ready for Solid Foods?

• Can sit up alone or with assistance.
• Has control of the head and neck.
• Will open mouth when food is offered.
• Will swallow food rather than pushing it back out.
• Puts stuff in his mouth.
• Grasps small objects, like toys or food.
• Moves food from the front to the back of the tongue when swallowing.

As soon as your baby displays all the above signs that he/she is ready for solid food, what should you do next?

When introducing solid foods to your baby, follow these simple tips:

• Try to remain calm and relaxed.
• Let them sit comfortably and make sure they aren’t overly hungry.
• Have patience. You can use an infant-sized spoon to give your baby food. Initially, they may only take a spoonful, but they will take more and more as time goes on.
• You should expect a mess when your baby begins to eat – this is a normal reaction.
• Be sure to watch your baby while eating to encourage social interaction and avoid accidents such as choking.
• If your baby refuses, try again in a day or two.

How Should I Prepare Food for My Child?

Initially, your child will prefer foods that are smooth in texture and mashed, pureed, or strained. It might take them a while to get used to new textures. They might cough, gag, or spit-up. With the development of your baby’s oral skills, you can introduce thicker and lumpier foods.

Because some foods are choking hazards, it’s important to feed your child foods with the right texture for his or her development. You can prevent choking by preparing foods that dissolve easily with saliva and don’t have to be chewed.

A baby’s first year needs breast milk and formula.

Even when solids are being introduced, continue to feed your baby breast milk or infant formula.

Breast Milk or Formula is an essential food for babies until they are at least 12 months old (or longer if you and your baby desire).

Identify the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

When you introduce a new food, it’s best to do it in the morning or daytime so you can watch him for a reaction. In case of an emergency, keep liquid Benadryl nearby and make sure your kid knows how much to take, Dr. DiMaggio said.

Babies tend to have milder reactions to foods than older kids. Common symptoms include rash, hives around the face, and vomiting (which isn’t life-threatening). Dr. Fleischer said severe reactions, which may include symptoms like wheezing or trouble breathing, are rare in babies, but not unheard of. Don’t hesitate to call 911 or go to the ER if you’re worried.

Should your child have an allergic reaction, stop feeding the food and ask your doctor for a referral to an allergist.