How to Introduce Solid Food to Your Baby

Get out the camera and call the grandparents; it's time for solids! Making a smooth transition to solid foods doesn't have to be difficult.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• High Chairs
• Baby Food
• Bananas
• Baby Spoons
• Small Bowls
• cooked, pureed sweet potatoes

1. Wait to start solids until your baby is between four and six months old.
2. Choose a first food such as iron-fortified whole-grain rice cereal, mashed banana or pureed sweet potato.
3. Thin the food to a smooth consistency with breast milk, formula or water.
4. Sit your baby upright on your lap or propped with pillows in a highchair.
5. Put a small amount of food on an infant spoon.
6. Hold the spoon about 10 inches away from your baby's mouth and wait until he or she opens up before feeding.
7. Watch your baby's reaction as you move the spoon closer.
8. Feed your baby as quickly or as slowly as he or she wants to eat. This may only be a spoonful or two at the first few feedings.
9. Stop feeding when the baby pushes the spoon away or shuts his or her mouth tight - this is how babies say, "I'm done!"

Tips & Warnings

• Look for signs your four- to six-month-old baby is ready for solids: the baby holds his or her head up well, sits with some support, and is interested in your food. (Signs of interest might be grabbing your spoon or imitating you opening your mouth while eating.)
• Choose organic foods for your baby. Pesticides can be especially harmful to growing bodies and developing brains.
• Some babies take right to solids; others are slower to learn this new way of eating. Encourage your baby to try solids, but avoid forcing the issue.
• If your baby likes to grab the spoon, offer a spoon to play with while you feed with another.
• While food allergies are fairly rare, watch for possible signs of allergies when you introduce new foods. Signs include a rash on the face or around the anus, a runny nose, vomiting, gas and diarrhea.
• Keep a record of when you introduce which foods and note any reactions.