Are you noticing lots of changes in your baby's hunger and feeding patterns? Now that your baby is eating single–ingredient foods regularly, she probably wants to try more foods. From about 6 months, you can add combination foods to your baby's diet for extra variety and flavor. Here are some basic tips and guidelines to help you and your baby get started:
Is Your Baby Ready for Combination Foods?
The answer is yes when your baby is about 6 months old and can:
- Sit well without support.
- Keep his head upright while sitting.
- Eat a wide variety of single–ingredient foods.
- Eat solid foods about three times a day.
Tips for Introducing Combination Foods
- Check the ingredients. If your baby was sensitive to any single food, make sure it's not a part of any combination foods. Introduce only one new ingredient at a time, waiting three to five days before introducing any other new foods to check for allergies.
- Keep single foods in your baby's diet. For example, offer your baby a favorite single–grain cereal from time to time for variety.
- Feed your baby breast milk or Similac® formula at each mealtime. It's a vital part of your baby's diet for the first 12 months.
- Don't worry if your baby refuses to eat, is fussy, or turns away. Try again later.
- Avoid honey and corn syrup. Honey and corn syrup can be harmful in your baby's first year because they can contain spores that can cause botulism.
Does Your Baby Dislike a Certain Food?
True or false? If your baby makes a funny face, it means she doesn't like the food. The answer is false. Your baby will need time to adjust to a new taste. Use the new food for your baby's first bite of solids for a few days. The first day your baby might make a face and spit the food out. The second day your baby usually will swallow the first bite but might refuse the second. But if you continue this pattern, your baby probably will develop a taste for new foods — even strong–tasting vegetables.
Is It Time for a Cup?
With a little help, your baby can start drinking from a cup as early as 6 months. Drinking from a cup can help wean your baby from the breast or bottle later on. Wait until your baby can sit up unsupported. Look for a spill–proof baby cup with a spout. Be sure to keep a "dribble" bib handy — drinking from a cup the first few times can be messy!