How to Get Your Baby to Start Solid Food

Member

By tipperbooth
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (5 Ratings)

Food goes everywhere!

Introducing solid food can be an exciting and adventurous time for mother and baby. You get to watch your child explore different tastes and textures and whether you make homemade baby food or buy ready made baby food in jars, it is a fun, messy exciting time for you both.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

The question every mother asks is when should she give her baby solids? The World Health Organization recommends introducing solid food at or around 26 weeks. It is important to remember that all babies are different, have different needs, develop at different rates and will be ready to start solids at different times. Try not to rush you baby onto solid food. Babies only need breast milk or formula for the first 6 months, if solids are introduced before the babies digestive and immune system are fully developed (after 6 months) then there is a greater risk of triggering a food allergy.
Step 2

They will put everythingin their mouths

Look for cues. Your baby will signal to you that she is ready for solid food by paying a lot of interest in your food, grabbing spoons etc that you are using and bringing them to her mouth, being unsettled and still acting hungry after breast feeding or formula, not sleeping well etc.
Step 3

Once you have decided to introduce solid food to your baby the next questions are what and how! Generally most people start with simple foods such as baby rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula.
Step 4

Simple fruit purees can also be introduced in the first few weeks of weaning. Introduce them slowly one at a time, so you can watch how your baby reacts and make sure there is no allergic reaction. Good starter purees are potatoes, apples, carrots, broccoli, bananas etc. You can always mix them with the rice cereal.
Step 5

It is going to be messy!

How much do you give them? The first few weeks are going to be MESSY!! Make it fun and don't stress out when more food ends up on the floors and walls than in your babies belly, this is a crucial time. Meal time needs to be fun and happy, in order for your baby to enjoy mealtimes and to make your life easier as time goes on. Every baby is different but generally one or two teaspoons is enough to begin with. Start off with that and if they are grabbing at the bowl give them a bit more!