Introducing Solids Introducing solid foods is one of the most exciting - and messy - milestones of your baby's first year. There is a world of flavours to discover and explore, and starting solids is the first step. Encourage your baby to have fun while trying new foods, even if a good portion of them ends up on her bib, the tray or the floor. It's all part of the great experiment of taking those taste buds to the next level.
When should I introduce my baby to solids? This is a hugely important question for all new parents and one that will often bring an overwhelming amount of conflicting answers. Many medical professionals advise parents to introduce baby’s first foods anywhere from 4 to 6 months. Organisations around the world advise that babies should be exclusively milk-fed for the first 6 months. Relatives and friends will also give their opinions but remember…information given by these organisations and elsewhere should be viewed as a guide. There are no hard and fast rules and of course, one of the best people to advise you on your baby’s readiness for solids is … YOUR
BABY!
How can I tell when my baby's ready for solid food? Your baby will give you signs when he's ready to move beyond a liquid diet. • • • • •
Has doubled his birth weight and weighs at least 13 pounds Shows interest in your food and may even try to reach for it Can sit upright in a highchair with good head and neck control Opens his mouth when you offer a spoonful of food Uses his tongue to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow it (instead of pushing it out of his mouth)
Do I still need to give my baby breast milk or formula? Breast milk or formula will still provide majority of your baby's calories and nutrition until a year old. Both provide important vitamins, iron, and protein in a form that's easy to digest. Solid food can't replace the nutrients that breast milk or formula provides during that first year.
Guidelines when introducing solids: Birth to 4 months Eats only breast milk, formula, or a combination of the two. Has a natural ability to root, suck, swallow, and gag. 4 to 6 months Can start trying solid food once he shows signs of readiness (see above). Start with an iron-fortified, single-grain cereal such as rice or oatmeal. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls of cereal with breast milk or formula to make a soupy-oatmeal consistency. Place your baby in an upright or semi-upright feeding chair or high chair and feed him the cereal twice a day using a baby spoon. It's a developmental accomplishment for a baby to learn to control his oral motor muscles to eat off a spoon. Don't worry if it all runs down his chin, he'll get the hang of it eventually, and in the meantime. This is a great photo opportunity to record the milestone! 6 to 8 months By 6 months you can introduce strained baby food vegetables and fruit. He'll need two to three servings (2 to 4 tablespoonfuls) of each per day. There's no specific order to introducing each food. Just wait two to three days in between new foods. This way, if your baby develops a rash or a little upset stomach, you'll be able to pinpoint the cause. These symptoms may indicate an allergy or temporary intolerance, which you'll need to discuss with his doctor before giving the food again. Your baby will still need breast milk or formula to top up. You can start practicing drinking skills and hand-to-mouth coordination – without spills – by using a sippy cup. 8 to 10 months Softly mashed or chopped fine pieces of fruits, vegetables, meats, pasta and dairy can be introduced at this age. Pasta, veggies, and fruit should all be soft cooked and possibly mashed with a fork or masher but bananas need only be mashed. Raw fruits are also introduced at this stage. Meats and proteins such as egg yolk, should be cooked and pureed or chopped into small soft bits. Ensure dairy offered is easily manageable - such as yogurt and cheeses. A small amount of spices can also be introduced for taste.
Time for finger food! Your little one can use his thumb and index finger to pick up small pieces of food. Start with baby biscuits and crackers. You may have to show her how to put each in her mouth before she learns what to do with it, but over time she'll grow to love her newfound skill of selffeeding. At this stage, your baby will get better at eating food offered on a spoon. Drinking and chewing abilities will also improve. Spontaneously starts consuming less liquid and more solid food. A typical day's diet at 8 months might include a combination of:
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• Breast milk or ironfortified formula • Iron-fortified cereal • Vegetables • Fruit Lesser amounts of protein, such as eggs, cheese, yogurt, poultry, lentils, tofu, and meat
10 to 12 months Holds cup and spoon and starts self-feeding. Uses her lips to get food off spoon. Handles finger foods easily. Eats a wide variety of foods, including those with different textures. At this stage, you can introduce white-fleshed fish - Flounder, Haddock, Cod, and Sole. These are considered some of the safest to introduce. They are the most easily digestible and lowest on the allergen list. Bake, poach or steam the fish and then pure. Offer with steamed veggies for a healthy meal. Salmon also makes a great meal for your baby! NB!!NB!! Ensure the fish is entirely de-boned. Be mindful of the fact that some fish contain tiny bones so take great care when de-boning.
Solid food feeding tips: • • • • • •
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Offer sweets or savouries in any order. Try feeding cereal with a spoon only. Encourage adventurous eating. Persevere with new foods over time. Know the choking hazards. Watch for constipation. A baby's stool sometimes changes when his diet does. Although it's usually temporary, your baby may have constipation after introducing solids. If you notice that your baby is having less frequent bowel movements, or that his stools have become hard or dry and seem difficult to pass, let his doctor know. Some doctors recommend adding high-fibre fruits such as pears, prunes, and peaches to a baby's diet, or giving him a few ounces of prune, apple, or pear juice each day until his bowel movements are back to normal. Your baby's stools may change colour and odour when you add solids to his diet. This is normal.
What do I need to make homemade baby food? If you're making your own baby food, you'll need: To puree the food - a blender, food processor, or baby food grinder. Storage containers for refrigerating and freezing extra portions (Some parents use ice cube trays – or similar devices made just for baby food – to store and freeze individual portions.) Alternatively, try our baby cubes range….
As one of our best sellers, they are BPA & Phthalates FREE. Reduce waste, only defrost what you need. Lids are attached directly to each cube for convenience Baby Cubes improves everywhere possible. Easy to store – easy to heat – easy to clean. Put it all together and you’ve got great improvements on a classic idea.
Identifying and Avoiding Baby Food Allergies and Digestive Problems: Learning to spot the symptoms of baby food allergies will give you the confidence to get your baby off to a healthy start. Following the 4-day rule and knowing which foods to avoid, you should be able to keep digestive problems to a minimum. IMPORTANT: If you suspect your child has a food allergy, consult a medical professional straight away. Always consult your child’s doctor before introducing new foods to your baby. The information here is presented as a guide only. It is NOT intended to replace professional medical advice. What is an allergy? When your baby’s immune system mistakes a harmless substance for a harmful one, an allergic reaction occurs. Identifying and avoiding baby food allergies the immune system produces antibodies to protect your baby from future exposures. The first time your baby is exposed to the problem food – the allergen – there will be no symptoms. But on the second and subsequent exposures, the antibodies against the allergen cause an allergic reaction. What is the difference between baby food allergies and digestive problems? A digestive problem – or food intolerance – is not the same as a food allergy. An allergic reaction is a response by the immune system. A baby with food intolerance would have difficulties in digesting a certain type of food. This is caused by many things besides an allergen. How are baby food allergies diagnosed? A true baby food allergy can only be diagnosed by a medical professional, such as your child’s doctor or allergist. This is done by performing a skin prick test or blood test. What symptoms should I be looking for? When your baby digests foods and his intestine absorbs the nutrients, substances in the food may trigger an allergic reaction. Sometimes the reaction is in the intestine. This can cause your baby to experience cramps or diarrhoea. Or the reaction could be in the skin, which can lead to eczema. Other allergy symptoms include: • • • • • • •
Excess gas/wind Nausea Vomiting. Possible blood in stools Constipation Stuffy or runny nose Watery or red eyes Wheezing
Also, be alert to the possibility of allergy-related ear infections. Allergies can cause congestion in the Eustachian tubes that connect the nose and ear. Fluid then collects in the middle ear, resulting in ear infections. Once again, if you feel your baby is showing any of these symptoms, or you have any concerns, discuss your worries with your child’s doctor.