Starting solids is an exciting milestone in any baby’s life. Parents often eagerly anticipate when their baby will start to eat, treating it as one of their most important missions and which is true indeed and I was no different . Many begin preparing even before the baby is born by reading books, consulting with nutritionists, and watching videos, which is absolutely important. So lets understand few questions regarding solid journey which all parents are curious about…
Why we should introduce solid to babies?
Until the age of 6 months, a baby’s nutritional needs are fulfilled by breast milk or formula milk. However, once the baby turns 6 months, their iron and nutritional requirements increase as they grow older. To meet these demands, solely breastfeeding may not be sufficient, so introducing iron-rich foods becomes necessary, while milk remains the main source of nutrition.
What is the Right Age to Start Solids?
The ideal age to start solids is around 6 months. In some cases, you may start as early as 4-6 months, but this should be done only after consulting with your doctor. It is not recommended to introduce solids too early because, at that age, a baby’s gut and kidney functions may not be mature enough to process food. Conversely, introducing solids too late can lead to nutritional deficiencies and feeding challenges, resulting in picky eating habits.
Is Your Baby Ready for Solids?
Many parents wonder, “How will my baby eat without teeth?” and consider waiting until teeth come in. However, the answer is that babies do not need teeth to chew, as they use their gums for this process. Additionally, softer foods can be offered, which will help them chew with their gums.
Here are a few signs to look out for that indicate your baby is ready to explore real food experiences:
- Sits with Some Support: Good head and neck control is essential. Babies should be able to sit upright (with some support) to minimize the risk of choking and to swallow food safely. It is incorrect way to feed a baby while lying down as there are high chances of choking.
- Showing Interest and Reaching for Food: When your little one sees you eating and reaches out toward you, it is a sign of readiness for solid foods.
- Grabbing and Putting Items into Their Mouth: when little hands of your baby’s are capable of grabbing things and bringing them to their mouth, it’s a sign they are ready to explore food.
After understanding readiness signs required for starting solid, lets discuss few important questions regarding solid journey for example how to start, what to offer
How to Start Feeding Little Ones ?
Milk is the most important component of a baby’s diet until they are 1 year old, which is why solid foods are often referred to as complementary foods, given alongside milk. Even if your baby is eating enough solids, you should continue providing breast milk or formula until they are 12 months old.
What Should You Start With?
To fulfill your baby’s iron and zinc requirements, it is advisable to start with iron-fortified foods and foods rich in vitamin C for better iron absorption. In the initial stages of the solid food journey, using traditional weaning methods, purees are the easiest and safest way to introduce solids. Start by offering one spoon at a time and gradually increase the amount, changing the texture as your baby becomes familiar to solid foods. It is advisable to introduce one food at a time to identify if the baby is allergic to it.
What are First Foods to introduce
When starting solid, it’s best to begin with simple, single ingredient foods that are easy to diagest . I started with pumpkin for my elder son while for younger one I chose apple to start with … because “An apple a day keeps doctor away ….” . actually I decided to start with sweet taste till they devolpe their eating habit.
Single-grain cereal like rice, oatmeal are also great choices as they are gentle on tummy. However you can also introduce soft, steamed and mashed fruits like bananas, apple, pear which are naturally sweet and appealing to babies.
For vegetables , you can try giving carrot , sweet potato, pumpkin in steamed and pureed form.
What is the best time to offer solid to babies initially?
It is ok to offer solid anytime of the the day when baby is not sleepy or cranky since it is easier to feed them . But most doctors advised to offer solid to babies during mid morning ,as this will will be helpful to monitor any reactions throughout the day .
Its also not good idea to offer solid to babies when they hungry which results in baby getting cranky and less likely to interested in trying food. So it’s better to offer them solid 15-20 minutes later after their milk feeding .
Mommies do not get frustrated or tired if baby is not showing interest in food….
Starting solids isn’t just about introducing food to your baby, it’s a journey that tests your patience as a parent. These tiny humans are learning to explore new tastes and textures, which isn’t easy for them either.
There will be times when your baby might refuse to eat altogether, and that’s completely normal. In these moments, the best thing you can do is stay calm, trust your little one, and be patient. Babies need time to adjust to new foods, and sometimes, you will need to offer the same food more than 10 times before they accept it.
The key to a successful solid journey is consistency, following your baby’s cues, and trusting their instincts. With time, practice, and a lot of patience, your baby will slowly learn to enjoy new foods. Remember, this is a learning process for both of you, so take it one bite at a time.
HAPPY MOTHERHOOD MOMMIES …
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