Starting Solids
(Wikimedia commons - in public domain because it came from the US Dept. of Agriculture)
During baby’s first year of life, breastmilk is the most important part of his diet. The World Health Organization and the Academy of Pediatrics both recommend only breastmilk during the first six months of life. Even once you start solids, it is mainly for baby to try new foods and to experiment with different tastes and textures.
- baby can sit up without help
- baby watches you intently while you eat
- baby can pick up food between his or her thumb and forefinger
- baby tries to grab some of what you are eating
- baby has lost the tongue thrust reflex
- baby is about six months old
Some tips for starting solids:
- Wait until about 30-60 minutes after breastfeeding to offer solids to avoid having solids replace breastmilk
- Start with foods that tend to be less allergenic and that have a similar taste to breastmilk such as bananas, peaches, sweet potatoes, applesauce, carrots, pears and barley or rice cereal. As baby tries more foods, consider offering avocado due to its healthy fat content. Also, as baby gets older, offer iron rich foods, too.
- When offering solids, if baby closes his mouth, leans away from the spoon, or spits out the food, this indicates he is either done eating solids for the moment or is just not interested right now. Try again another day. You want to try to encourage a healthy association with food.
- Offer solids just once a day or less often in the beginning and gradually work up to three times per day at 12 months.
References:
Lexy Backstrom
Written by Gina Peterson
What were your favorite first foods to offer your baby? Please share in the comment section!
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