When and How to Introduce Solid Foods
As there is a wide range of diversity in parents’ and pediatricians’ advice on what, when and how to introduce solid foods to infants, over at Healthy Child, Dr. Parker has an excellent list of sum-up tips for parents to take into account:
- Hold off the introducing solid foods until 4-6 months. (Remember that cereal does not increase sleeping through the night!)
- Introduce one new food every few days, so if there is a digestive problem or apparent allergic reaction, you will know what may have caused it.
- Always be sure the texture of the food is such that your baby doesn’t cough and sputter when it is introduced.
- Introduce the small amount of the new food when your baby is hungry - before, not after, he has had her milk. Then gradually increase the amount.
Studies also show that Delaying Solid Foods May Not Prevent Allergy. But from my experience, I waited until my babies turned 4-6 months, just introduced one new solid food at a time between two milk feeding time. Normally baby formulae can provide sufficient nutrition up to 6 months and breast milk 4 months. I began with cereal, after a few weeks without any evidence of allergies aroused, then I added one more, like bananas and so on. You can also refer to this food chart to see when to introduce what food to your baby.
Keep tracking down the amount, trial duration and the responses of your baby. It would give you a clear sense of controlling a balanced healthy diet for him/her. Always talk with your paediatrician and keep a close eye on your baby’s response too. Feel free to add your tips in the comment or email me if you have.