How to Decide When to Feed Your Baby Solid Foods

The Department of Health recommends that you begin feeding your baby solid foods around the age of six months. Iron-enriched infant rice cereal is recommended as a starter food. Mix two teaspoons of dry cereal with enough formula or breast milk to form a soupy solution. As your baby gets used to the cereal, add a little less formula or breast milk to make the cereal thicker. Here's how to tell if your baby is ready.

Instructions

1. Watch your baby to see if she can hold her head up. It is important that she is able to hold her head in a steady upright position before trying to give her solid foods.

2. Evaluate how well your baby sits up when supported. Later you can introduce a high chair, but when you first start feeding solid foods you may need to hold him on your lap and support him in a sitting position.

3. Monitor your baby's weight. Most babies are ready to start solid foods when they have doubled their birth weight. This typically occurs somewhere around 6 months.

4. Notice if your baby begins to make chewing motions with her mouth. To eat solid foods your baby needs to be able to move the food to the back of her mouth and swallow it. As your baby's swallowing improves you may notice a decrease in the amount of drooling.

5. Pay attention to the level of curiosity and interest that your baby shows in food. As your baby is getting ready for solid foods he might start watching you eat more and reaching out for your plate or the food that he sees you putting into your mouth.