Your baby may be ready for solid foods when they begin showing an interest in what other members of their family are eating and are able to move food from a spoon directly into their mouth and swallow without spitting out.
Most babies begin with iron-fortified infant cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. You can also introduce pureed fruits, vegetables and well-cooked meats; yogurt and cheese as options.
1. Offer a Variety of Foods
As soon as your baby is ready to transition to solids, offer them a range of foods to familiarize themselves with tastes, textures and smells of various food groups – this may also help reduce picky eating later on!
Do not become discouraged if your baby doesn’t eat much solids right away – as long as they continue trying new foods even those they seem to dislike initially, such as breastmilk and infant formula, they will get enough energy and nutrition from these sources alone. Remember that most of their energy and nutrition comes from breastfeeding or infant formula! Don’t panic. Ultimately what matters is trying out new flavors until something clicks.
Introduce your baby to a range of pureed and finger foods, such as avocado, cooked vegetables, soft diced meats and bread crusts. Avoid adding salt or sugar as this could hinder development – instead encourage them to learn to love foods without additional additives! Additionally, ensure you remain with them when they eat to prevent any accidents caused by choking. When they show signs that they’ve had enough (for instance by closing their mouth or turning their head away) stop feeding them immediately!
2. Keep It Simple
Starting babies out on basic foods early is key as they learn to chew and accept solids. Although they may initially spit it out, eventually they’ll come around to eating it all!
Baby who are ready to begin eating solids should show an interest in their family meals and open their mouth when offered food on a spoon. Once this stage has been reached, they should also be able to move the food safely back down their throat without choking on it.
At this age, it is wise to offer foods rich in iron like meats, baby cereal with iron content, and beans to replenish any lost iron from pregnancy or as they continue to develop. Babies need this to compensate for what they use up during gestation that they will naturally expend during growth.
Some babies reach 8 months and develop a pincer grasp that allows them to pick up small pieces of food with their thumb and index finger. At this stage, thicker solids like chunks of chicken or vegetable stew may be added into their diet; however, it’s wiser not to force this upon your baby before they’re ready for it.
3. Let Your Baby Make a Mess
Your baby may get messy during their first food experiences. Squish it between their fingers, rub it all over themselves and wipe some on their clothes or throw some on the floor! Don’t be alarmed: this is perfectly normal as part of their learning how to eat solids – trying to prevent these mishaps would only hinder this important learning curve!
Your baby should show interest in what you and other family members are eating, being able to move food from a spoon into their mouth without spitting out or pushing away, as well as chew and swallow without choking.
An increasing number of parents are opting to forgo traditional pureed foods in favor of baby-led weaning (BLW), an approach to solids introduction that puts your little one in charge from day one. BLW puts them in control!
4. Don’t Pressure Your Baby
Remember to give your baby time. New foods often take multiple attempts before being accepted by infants; this is particularly true of vegetables which tend to have more bitter flavors than fruits.
Be patient; eventually your baby will adjust to eating solids and even learn to enjoy it! Just be careful not to overfeed your child – when they spit food out or close their mouth or fuss they are signalling they have had enough and need time off from eating solids.
Strive to enjoy meals together with your baby so they can observe how their caregivers eat and develop the skills needed for future eating habits. Avoid distracting TV programs, toys and phone calls during mealtime so they can concentrate on what’s being offered them. Keep breast milk or infant formula supplementation high throughout their exploration of solid foods; three smaller meals plus one snack should suffice as ideal meal plans.
5. Don’t Give Up
Many babies spit food out on their first attempts, but it is essential not to give up. Some foods may require multiple attempts before your baby will accept them; be patient as you continue trying new items and keep trying until your child accepts them. As time passes and you continue feeding your baby, you will learn their cues for when they are hungry or full.
Once your baby is ready to begin eating solids, begin offering small spoonfuls at a time. Most babies should take to eating it immediately, though some may just push it around their mouth or throw it out altogether. Don’t push them; rather focus on playing with their food and watching as they enjoy it!
At first, consider food an “add-on”, while getting most of their nutrition through breast milk or formula. Furthermore, it is best to steer clear of foods that pose risks of choking such as hot dogs, whole nuts and popcorn, hard candy and large pieces of raw or cooked meat, vegetables or fruit (unless thinly cut ). Babies who witness their parents enjoying healthy foods will more likely like them themselves.
