Solid Foods

Solid Foods

When should I introduce solid foods?

The Department of Health used to recommend that babies were started on solids between the ages of four and six months. Then, in May 2003, they issued the following statement: "Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of an infant's life as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs".

There are plenty of good reasons to wait until your baby reaches six months of age. Breast milk and formula are easy for your baby to digest and provide all the calories and nutrients your baby needs for healthy growth and development. Also, it is thought that the chances of developing allergies are greatest during infancy, so feeding your baby a diet of breast milk or formula until this time helps reduce the risk of introducing allergens. As your baby's digestive system matures, she will be better able to handle different foods without an allergic reaction. Remember, breast or formula milk will continue to be a very important source of nutrition while your baby adjusts to a mixed diet and for the first year or so of life.

Is my baby ready to start solids?

How do you know if your baby is ready to start on a more varied diet? Look for the following cues. Your baby:

Can hold her head up It's important that your baby is able to maintain a steady, upright position in order to take first foods from a spoon.

Sits well when supported. You may have to support her initially — a highchair can be pulled into action a bit later when she's able to sit up all by herself.

Makes chewing motions Your baby should be able to move food to the back of her mouth and swallow. As your baby learns to swallow efficiently you may notice her drooling decrease.

Has gained a healthy weight. Most babies are ready to eat semi-solids when they've doubled their birth weight, which may take place before or around their sixth month.

Displays curiosity about what you're eating. Your baby begins eyeing your meals and reaches out to try foods traveling from plate to mouth.

ALWAYS consult your pediatrician prior to beginning any new baby food regime for your infant!!!!!

ALWAYS follow the 4 day wait rule when introducing a new food to baby - Continue with the same new food for 4 days to assure there are no allergies to that single food. Never introduce more than 1 new food at a time. This is a good practice to follow, not just to help pinpoint allergic reactions but, to help pinpoint any possible digestive issues a new food may cause! Allergic reactions typically will occur within the first 24 hours. Digestive issues with new foods may take longer to appear. Once you have introduced several new foods without a reaction, you can then begin to mix them together as you wish.

ALWAYS use clean cooking utensils, preparation surfaces, pots/pans etc when making homemade baby food and and preparing homemade baby food. Proper food handling will make sure that baby is getting only the best nature has to offer.

Remember, breast milk or formula will provide all the nutrition baby needs during the first year of life. Don’t worry if baby does not take to solids “on schedule”. Introducing solids prepares baby for the transition to adult food and eating habits and offers further vitamins and minerals as baby grows. The addition of solids will not, contrary to popular opinion, hurry a baby along in sleeping through the night, instead it could cause stomach upset and colic if not done properly.

All babies are different and will not like/tolerate the same foods or food textures. You should be willing to experiment with your baby and offer different foods, ways of preparing those baby foods and be willing to have a huge store of patience! Don’t give up on a new food because baby won’t eat it the first time; continue offering the food but NEVER force foods on baby!

Recipes for making your own

http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/bl091997a.htm

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/baby/baby.html

Have a favorite baby food recipe you would like to share? E-Mail it to me and we'll get it on here.

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