Introducing Solids to babies is one of the biggest milestones which every parent waits for. You want to introduce all the different textures and your favourite food to your baby.
Oh! I remember how I & my husband used to discuss what our baby will like or not and whose taste palette will he be leaning towards…
Before reading on, I would urge you to understand that every kid is different and his/her likes and dislikes may vary. NEVER force feed your child.
In this Post, You will Find
When do babies start eating solids ?
Most babies are ready to taste their first food between 4-6 months (we started at 6 months as suggested by our pediatrician). WHO suggests exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months.
There may be many reasons why you want to start solids to your child sooner; work commitments, travel, family but here are some reasons you should wait till your pediatrician gives you a green flag:
- Baby’s digestive system needs time to be ready to process all the food except breastmilk and/or formula milk.
- Baby’s immune system will be matured to fight will all the infections.
- Baby may have more protection from iron-deficiency anemia.
- Baby will have lower risk of obesity in future.
- Baby will be developmentally ready to eat foods that are not liquids.
Signs to know when babies are ready for starting solids
Remember there is no need to rush this milestone. Do not start solids before 4 months or without discussing it with your pediatrician. On the other hand, delaying the introduction of solids will also have potential pitfalls.
Here are some signs to know when your baby is ready to get a tasted of anything other than breastmilk or formula milk:
- Baby should be able to sit upright easily with support.
- Baby should be able to hold his head high on his own.
- Baby should show interest in food and follow the spoon if sees one with food.
- Baby shouldn’t push out the spoon when you try to feed him instead closes his mouth over spoon.
- Baby sitting in Tripod position is also a good indication. Tripod position means ability to sit leaning forward supporting the upper body with hands without any external support.
- Baby should have good palmer grasp if you are trying baby-led weaning. It is ability to hold a thing in their fist. It helps in holding finger food.
- Baby should be able to sit without support for a meal if you want to start Baby Led Weaning.
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Things to remember while feeding the babies
You need to understand that a baby also has instincts and have reactions to any new thing introduced to the baby. You need to respect their reactions at that instance and look out the likes, dislikes signals.
- Never push the spoon in baby’s mouth. Instead hold the filled spoon near his mouth for him to reach it.
- You can put a little food on his lips to tempt him.
- Talk to him calmly to tell him about the food he is having.
- Stop feeding if the baby turns away his head or makes weird faces.
- Let him touch the food instead of worrying about the mess. It is his way of exploring.
- Start in small quantities like a spoon or two.
- Always offer the food at room temperature to avoid burns.
- Always wait for 2-3 days before introducing new food to check for allergic reactions. Like rashes or stomach upset or baby being extra fussy.
- Always introduce new food during the day time so as the medical facilities are easily accessible in case there is any allergic reaction to the child.
- DO NOT add salt or sugar or honey to the food even if tastes bland to you. It is not recommended before 1 year.
- Breast milk or formula milk is still important and should be continued.
- Make sure you wash your hands while preparing and feeding the baby. Always prepare fresh food to give it to baby.
- Know the difference between gagging and choking.
Difference between Gagging & Choking
Parents usually get confused between gagging and choking and more of it, get terrified and don’t know what to do.
You can tell the difference between gagging and choking if you pay close attention to your baby.
Gagging: It is a safety reflex when baby puts too much food in their mouth or if the food is too far back in their mouth. Gag reflex help the baby to get the food out of their without harming them. Gagging is when the windpipe is partially blocked thus baby will be coughing and making sounds.
Choking: Choking is when the food blocks the windpipe of the baby. No air can pass through thus there is no sound while crying or coughing. Baby will look terrified and will be unable to breathe.
How can you avoid Choking in babies?
When you offer food to babies, make sure if it is purees, there is no large lumps in it and if you are trying baby-led weaning then don’t leave the baby unattended.
Here are some tips to prevent choking in babies:
- Don’t leave them unattended and keep a close watch on their eating.
- Cut food pieces in proper size, large enough to hold it in their pincer grasp.
- Observe them while they are taking a bite, they may bite off a larger bite.
- Make sure the food is soft enough to pass their food pipe easily as they won’t spend time on chewing.
- Keep the portion baby-sized. Offer only a piece or two in the plate to avoid stuffing more than they can take in.
Introducing New foods to Babies
- Hard fruits and vegetables, like apples and carrots usually need to be cooked until they are soft enough to bite/mash/puree
- Dry fruits and nuts to be given in powdered or paste form
- Pomegranate to be given in form of juice
- Remove seeds and hard pits from fruit and then cut the fruit into age appropriate size
- Peas to be boiled and mashed
- Egg & meat to be cooked properly. Remove all fat, skin, and bones from poultry, meat, and fish
- Cut small spherical foods like grapes, cherries, berries and tomatoes into small pieces
- Chapati or chilla bite to be slightly mashed before giving it to kids under 1 year of age
Dos & Don’ts
- Don’t introduce the new food when kid is hungry
- Introduce new food in small quantity and in day-time.
- Always have the favorite meal ready as backup when you introduce new food
- Introduce only 1 new food at a time.
- Wait for 3-5 days before introducing another new food
- Look out for allergic reactions after introducing new food – rashes, vomiting, diarrhoea, facial swelling
- Check for food allergies in immediate family and keep an eye out when introducing those foods.
Forbidden Foods for Babies
As much as we are enthusiastic to introduce the baby to new food, it is important to know which foods may be hazardous for your child. Here are some food that should be avoided for the child under 1 year.
Honey: Honey contains spores that can cause botulism in a new baby’s still-developing digestive tract. So never give honey to a baby younger than 1 year.
Salt: Salt may impact baby’s kidney if given before 1 year. Babies do not know what salt is and how it changes the taste of the food. Thus, no salt is NOT the reason for your kid to dislike any food.
Sugar: No refined sugar is recommended for the babies under 1 year as it causes caries and impact gums which leads to tooth decay. Excess sugar may also depress immunity
- Whole Nuts: Whole nuts can cause choking in kids. Other choking hazards are popcorns, candies, whole raisins, whole grapes.
- Animal Milk: Animal milk has high protein which is difficult for the babies (under 1 year) to digest. Formula milk or breast milk can be used for pudding or kheer but they should never be heated (gas stove or microwave).
Enjoy your baby’s sloppy tray, gooey hands and sticky face!!
Would you like a Meal Plan for your 6+ Month Old Baby?
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are solely based on author’s experience. Please do not consider it as professional advice.
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