How to Introduce New Solid Food to Babies

How to Introduce New Solid Food to Babies
There are so many foods in the world for your baby to try. But how can you introduce them all to him or her? Follow this step-by-step guide to make it as easy as possible to add new foods to Baby’s diet.

Select the right food for the right age
Not all foods are right for babies of all ages. You need to make sure that the food you give your little one is appropriate for his or her development. Adding a food too early could lead to digestive problems. A well-designed baby feeding chart will provide you with more in depth information, but here is a short guide to what ages are right to start which types of foods.

• Cereal is a good first food and can be fed anytime from 4 to 6 months and onward.
• Pureed fruits and vegetables are also common starter foods for babies and can be given from ages 4 to 6 months and beyond.
• Finger foods can be given around ages 8 to 10 months, provided your baby can chew and swallow safely.
• Protein foods like meats, tofu and legumes are safe for babies 8 to 10 months of age and older.
• Dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese are safe for babies 8 to 10 months of age. Remember no cow’s milk until 1 year!
• Combo foods like macaroni and cheese, casseroles and other foods that combine multiple ingredients can be given to babies aged 10 to 12 months and older.

Start with Small Portions
When you’re going to give your baby a taste of a new food, let him or her take a very small taste. Every food is a brand new experience for your little one. Just like you, he or she will have foods that are their favorite, preferred things and foods that aren’t easy to enjoy at all.

Watch for Cues
After the initial first taste, offer a slightly bigger bite next. If that bite goes down with ease, continue, but keep an eye out for cues that he or she is finished. If your baby turns away from the spoon, consider the feeding session done. Leaning away from the spoon is another sign that your child is full or doesn’t like what you’ve offered. Don’t feel obligated to continue trying to feed once you see the cues.
You’ll have plenty of time to expose your little one’s palate to new things as he or she grows. Just try another food in the same category following the tips in the guide.

Start new solids every 3 days
Your little one may be sensitive or even allergic to certain foods, so it’s important that you use caution when adding new things to his or her diet. Only start one new food at a time.
Feed it consistently to your child every day for 3 days if he or she likes it. Look for signs of sensitivity like diarrhea, vomiting or a skin rash. If you see such signs, stop feeding your baby that food.

Conclusion

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.