How to Start an Infant On Solid Food

Single grain cereals are the most common first food that an infant receives. Follow these simple and easy steps to introduce solids to your baby.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cereal
• Breast milk, formula or juice
• Bowl
• Baby spoon

1. First make sure your baby is ready for solids. Most babies are ready for solids around 4-6 months of age. Always check with your pediatrician before starting solids.

2. Choose a single grain cereal such as rice or barley as they are easier on an infants digestive system and rarely produce allergic reactions. They are also a good source of iron and calcium.

3. Put desired amount of cereal into a bowl. Start out with 1 tbsp of cereal for the first feeding and increase the amount as the baby's appetite increases and gets used to the cereal.
   Full servings are generally 4 tbsp.

4. Next stir in formula, breast milk or infant juice (such as white grape) till you attain desired consistency. For early feedings you generally want a thin consistency as it will be easier for your baby to eat and digest.
   
   Do not use whole milk for children under 1 year of age!!

5. Serve the cereal to the baby as it is or microwave to warm it up.
   
   To microwave heat 1/4 cup of cereal with 1/4-1/2 cup of unheated liquid and heat at MEDIUM or 50% power for 15-30 seconds.
   Stir cereal and be SURE to test the temperature before feeding the cereal to your infant.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your child is in a sitting position when feeding cereal to make swallowing easier
• Never put cereal in a baby bottle to feed an infant. It is a choking hazard.
• Never put cereal in a baby bottle to feed an infant. It is a choking hazard
• If warming cereal ALWAYS test the temperature before giving to an infant.