When To Switch To Solid Baby Food
Though you may worry about whether your baby will make a smooth transition from breast-milk or formula milk to solid food you should understand that if you initiate the transition at the correct time your baby will be quite ready for it. Typically there is no fixed age at which babies have to be given solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies should be anywhere from four to six months to make the transition. However, no one can say when your baby will be ready for solids. We will try and provide you with some advise on how to know when is the right time to start your babies on solid foods.
Clues about your baby’s readiness for solid foods will be very subtle and you may need to pay careful attention to understand and react to them. For example, by the time babies are about three to four months, they will show a distinct interest in food. They may try to grab your food or at least follow it as it leaves your plate till it reaches your mouth. Also, by this time, her neck would be steadier and she may be able to sit without support. One final clue, her number of feedings may have increased dramatically and she may also have gained sufficient weight since her birth. All these are clues that suggest your little one is ready to make the move to solid foods.
When you feel your baby is ready for solids, the best food to start her on would be iron-fortified cereals like rice or wheat though rice does not contain gluten, a potential allergen. Take a couple of teaspoons of cereal and mix a few drops of breast milk or warm formula milk to bring it to a semi-liquid consistency. Use a rubber-tipped spoon or just use a clean finger to feed your baby.
When your baby reaches six months of age, you can start giving her mashed fruits and vegetables, barley and oatmeal cereals as also some strained meat. Start slowly and introduce only one food at a time. This way your baby will have time to acquire a taste for the food and you will also have a chance to identify if she has any food allergies. If she does, she will immediately show signs of distress or display itchiness all over the body. If any food group causes this adverse reaction, do not give your child that food group till you have consulted with a doctor.
By the time your baby reaches 10 months of age, she is ready to try some slightly chewy foods like finger foods. You can try giving her some cheese cut into long slices or cooked carrot cut into slices and served in her plate. Your baby will enjoy holding the food in her fingers and putting them in her mouth. Start providing variety in her food from this age on.
If you start your baby on solid foods when she is ready for them and give her the right kind of foods, making the transition to solid foods will be smoother than you ever expected.