Feeding solid foods can be a fun time for you and your baby — new tastes, textures, and flavors. But you also might be balancing work and home life now. And with all of these changes, you probably have a lot of questions about this new stage of feeding.
Talk to your health care professional before you begin, but here's some information to help you get ready for this exciting time and make the transition go smoothly:
Introducing Solid Foods
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, solid foods can be introduced when your baby is between 4 and 6 months old. At this age, babies learn to use their tongue to move food to the back of the mouth, and mouth reflexes are developed enough to let them swallow solid foods.
To ease the transition, the makers of Similac® and Beech-Nut®* suggest combining cereal with formula or breast milk for your baby's first solid–food experience. In a bowl or cup, mix 4 to 5 tablespoons of breast milk or Similac formula, such as Similac Advance EarlyShield™, with 1 to 2 tablespoons of single-grain cereal, such as Beech-Nut Rice Cereal. Warm it up, but don't make it too warm! Always test the temperature before giving it to your baby.
Here are some more tips:
- At first, try solid food for only one feeding each day. If your baby won't eat it, try introducing it again in a few days.
- Choose a time of day that is the least stressful for you, and a time when your baby is not too hungry. Many parents find midmorning or midafternoon an ideal time.
About Food Allergies
Introduce only one new food at a time, waiting three to five days before introducing any other new foods to check for allergies. If you suspect an allergic reaction, call your health care professional. Get the truth about food allergies with this article, or visit Fussy Feeder 411 to troubleshoot almost any feeding issue.