A Solid Start to Your Infant's Nutrition

As parents we never stop worrying about the little one. One of the first big topics of concern is
when to start giving solid foods to your newborn. While it is important to remember that each baby is unique in his or her needs, here are a few guidelines to help you as you start this journey.
Remember that breast milk or formula should be your baby's main source of nutrition for his first year of life. In fact, breast milk or formula should be enough to meet all of his needs until he
reaches at least 4-6 months of age. Most doctors recommend beginning to introduce solid foods
around 4-6 months of age while continuing to breast or bottle feed. Many parents do choose to
prolong the event further. Discuss this with your doctor to decide what is best for your child. Your child may be ready to start eating solid foods if several of the following are true:
l Baby can hold head steady when sitting l Baby is between four and six months of age
l Baby sometimes opens mouth when food approaches l Baby is interested in food when others eat . l Baby has the ability to swallow baby food placed on tongue. The most often recommended "first food" is rice cereal because it is easily digested and not likely to produce an allergic reaction. Other good first foods, are mashed avocados and bananas. The first feedings should be done after your baby has had some breast milk or formula but hasn't gotten totally full. Be sure you are not in a hurry for this event. Using a small spoon (rubber coated or plastic) place a small amount of food on the back of his tongue. He may make faces or push the food back out but don't give up. He needs to get used to the texture of foods and learn what to do with his tongue. Beginning portions should be 1 to 2 tablespoons. Feedings will gradually increase to two to four tablespoons of cereal. After several weeks most babies eat cereal twice a day, totaling about 1/3 to 1/2 cup a day. Always make sure the baby is sitting up to eat and drink.
Between 7 and 9 months of age your baby may be ready to begin finger foods. The baby should be able to sit up straight in a high chair, be able to grasp food with his hands or finger tips, and move the food from his hand to his mouth. Finger foods such as chopped pieces of ripe banana or dry unsweetened cereal, crackers, or teething biscuits are good choices. Avoid giving your baby foods that could be swallowed and cause choking, including raw carrots, large pieces of raw apple, whole hot dogs or hot dog coins, whole grapes, large cookies, peanuts and hard candy. Always stay with your baby while he or she is eating. It is important to be aware of your baby's reaction to any new foods introduced. It's not unusual for the baby's stool to change color upon eating new foods. However, a skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting, wheezing or stuffy nose may be signs of a food allergy or intolerance. If this occurs, stop feeding the new food and tell your doctor about the reaction at the next visit. Be sure to keep a food diary of what foods you introduce and any reactions. It is best to wait 3-5 days before introducing additional new foods. If you have a family history of food allergies, you may want to wait even later to introduce those foods.
A printable food chart listing appropriate ages to introduce various foods is found here.
Make feeding time fun time. You can sing or play silly games with your baby while feeding him.
Most of all, enjoy being a mom!
by Tamitha Lynch