7 Signs to Monitor before Introducing Solid Food to your Baby
by littlethingonline Admin on Mar 19, 2021
When do you give a baby solid food? There is no single answer. Babies are typically ready for solids sometime between 4 and 6 months of age, but the exact time will depend upon his or her physical development and growth rates.
Instead of worrying about a specific time, keep an eye out for these important cues that your baby may be ready to try solids in addition to the bottle or breast.
Introduce Solid Food When Your Baby Does the Following:
He or she can sit up independently or with support
Your baby can’t safely eat solid foods until he or she has the trunk strength to stay upright while eating. It’s not safe for babies to eat solids while reclining or lying down.
He or she can hold his or her neck up with ease
Neck strength is also important to ensure safe feeding. If your little one’s head still wobbles when he or she sits, he or she is not likely to have enough strength to safely eat solids.
He or she now weighs at least double his or her birth weight
Until your baby’s weight has doubled from the birth weight, he or she should keep consuming infant formula or breast milk exclusively, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Starting too soon could lead to your child being overweight.
He or she has shown interest in solid foods
Your baby may begin paying careful attention to what you’re eating at the table during mealtime when it’s near the time to start solids. He or she may even try to touch or take some of your food due to curiosity.
Keep in mind that being interested in your silverware doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby is keen on what you’re eating with it. Little ones are often drawn to the shiny material of silverware.
He or she can hold food in his or her mouth successfully.
If you try to feed your little one baby food, pureed veggies or fruit or infant cereal, and none of it seems to stay in his or her mouth, you may want to postpone feeding solid foods.
He or she is no longer sated by the normal feeding routine
When your child is getting ready to begin eating solids, he or she may show signs of hunger, even when you keep to your normal breastfeeding or bottle feeding schedule.
He or she opens his or her mouth for food
Babies need to be interested in solid foods in order to start the transition successfully. If he or she turns his or her head away and starts to cry when you present the spoon, take it as a sign to delay the transition. Try again in a week or so. Babies develop rapidly and seven days can make a big difference.
When in doubt, talk to your pediatrician about solid foods and if your little one is ready for them.
