Even though talking is still months away, your baby might be telling you something. These dos and don'ts will help you figure out your baby's feeding signals and make the transition to solid foods as easy as possible for both of you.
Here are some hints from Beech-Nut®* to help make mealtime entertaining instead of frustrating:
Getting Started With Solids
DO remember that breast milk or Similac® formula is still your baby's main source of nutrition for the first full year.
DON'T start your baby on solids earlier than about 4 months (unless your health care professional tells you otherwise). Your baby might not be ready for them.
Tips for Mealtime Success
DO make sure your baby is hungry, but not starving. A small "appetizer" of breast milk or Similac formula before feeding solids is recommended. Select a time of day that is the least stressful for you, and make sure you have plenty of time.
DO keep a sense of humor. Early feedings can be unproductive, challenging, messy, and frequently hilarious. Remember that tomorrow is always another day.
Recognizing Signs of Hunger and Fullness
DO learn to read your baby's signals. Feed your baby when you see these cues: Your baby eagerly swallows every bite, follows the spoon with his eyes, and becomes impatient if you're not fast enough!
DON'T continue feeding your baby if you see these cues: He turns his head away, refuses to open his mouth, or cries when you try feeding him.
Ingredients and New Foods
DO wait three to five days to add each new food to your baby's diet. This is so you can detect any allergic reaction your baby might have to a certain food. If your baby is fussy after eating a specific food, you can find help troubleshooting the problem at the Tummy Trouble Tool.
DON'T season baby food. Babies don't need added salt or sugar.
Feeding Methods
DO serve baby food from a small bowl. Feeding your baby directly from a jar can encourage bacteria growth. Your baby's saliva can make the food watery.
DON'T put your baby to bed with a bottle. This can promote "bottle caries," a form of tooth decay.
DO gently stir and test the temperature of any food from the microwave before serving it to your baby. Make sure the temperature is warm, not hot.
DON'T feed cereals or other solid foods through a bottle, unless your health care professional directs you to do so. Cereal in a bottle might cause your baby to gag or choke.
DON'T feed your baby in a reclining position because of the danger of gagging or choking.