How to Introduce Your Baby to Solids |
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When should I introduce solids?When your pediatrician gives you the go-ahead. Since every baby is different, there is no single right age at which to introduce solids. Most experts agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics: introduce solids after 6 months if your baby demonstrates readiness. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the nutrients your child needs and should remain the main source of nourishment.Why should I wait until my baby demonstrates signs of readiness?Most experts agree that the baby's digestive system is simply too immature to digest solids until she or he reaches the 6-month mark. This lack of maturity means solids may pass through the system undigested and may increase the risk of your baby developing allergies. Your baby must also be developmentally ready to swallow and to use the tongue to transfer food from the front to the back of the mouth. Sounds easy enough but it take a child time to develop this skill. And in order to prevent unintentional force feeding and encourage your baby's natural ability to self-regulate eating, your child must be able to physically communicate when she or he is finished.How will I know when my baby's ready?Some babies are ready and eager to eat solids at age 6 months, while others take a little longer. Your baby will show you when she or he is ready to move beyond liquid nourishment. Talk to your pediatrician and look for signs of readiness, including:
What solid food should I introduce first?Opinions vary widely, although everyone agrees that first foods should be easily digested and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, many doctors recommend that the first solid food should be rice cereal, followed by oat cereal and barley cereal. Other popular first foods include cooked sweet potato, avocado, or banana. Some advocate introducing your baby to less sweet vegetables before introducing more sweet fruits so they don't develop a sweet tooth. Talk to your pediatrician and decide what's best for your child and when.How should I introduce solid food?Once you've talked to your pediatrician and decided when to introduce solids and which first food to introduce, set up a safe feeding area where you'll offer solids to your baby most of the time. By using that same high chair in the same place every day, your baby will start to expect a feeding every time she or he sits in the chair. It helps to make something new into something more predictable for your child. Use mealtime to talk, smile, and bond by sitting face-to-face with your little one. And be sure you're both dressed in clothes that can get messy since it's is an inevitable part of this new adventure. Begin with once-a-day feedings. Pick a time of day when you aren't rushed or distracted. And, if possible, select a time that you'll be able to feed your child each day to establish a comfortable routine. Ideally, first meals should be early in the day when both you and your child are most awake and happy. Also, by introducing new foods in the morning or early afternoon, you're all more likely to be awake if your child has a reaction to a new food. That makes it easier to recognize and easier to address than if the reaction occurs in the middle of the night because of a late feeding.Make sure your little one isn't too hungry and, thus, likely to become frustrated with this new process. Offer about half of a typical nursing or bottle-feeding. Transfer a teaspoon or two from a chowbaby pouch into a dish or handled mug. Add enough breast milk or formula to make the food runny enough to drip off the spoon and gently heat until lukewarm for a few seconds on the stovetop (by placing the dish or mug in a couple of inches of water in a pot) or microwave. Always stir the food to make sure it is of an even temperature throughout. And test multiple times to make sure there are no hot spots. You can start by offering a small amount of food from the tip of your just-washed fingertip for you child to suck on. Then, using a rubber-tipped spoon that won't hurt the gums, offer pea-sized amounts of food on the tip of the spoon placed between the lips for your baby to suck off. Take it slowly. Never push your child to eat. Be patient. Smile. And relax. Remember that your child can get all the nutrition needed from breast milk or formula, so her health won't suffer if she doesn't master solids today. It is important that both you and your baby should look forward to mealtimes. Your baby may not eat much at all in the beginning. Some research indicates that children require up to 10 introductions to a new food before they'll demonstrate an active interest in it. So if your little one makes a face or spits out the food, don't be surprised. This probably does not mean your tot doesn't like the food you're introducing — just that your baby is not used to the new flavor, texture, and experience of the food. Give your baby the chance to get used to new tastes gradually. And continue to offer food only as long as your child is still interested. When she turns away, closes her mouth, leans back, or acts fussy, your little one is telling you she's finished. Now finish the breast or bottle feeding. You can't re-refrigerate, refreeze, or reheat leftovers that have come in contact with your child's (or your) saliva from the spoon that has been dipped in it. The bacteria and enzymes from the mouth will cause the food to spoil. But don't worry — the food won't go to waste. chowbaby tastes so good you'll be happy to finish whatever your child doesn't and show them just how yummy it is. How will I know when my baby is full?Your little one's appetite will likely vary from one feeding to the next and one day to the next. Just as a strict accounting of how much to nurse or bottle feed at each meal doesn't take into account a baby's natural ability to self-regulate, so a strict accounting of food amounts isn't always a good way to tell when your child has had enough. If your tot leans back in the chair, turns her head away from the food, refuses to open up for the next bite, gets fussy, or starts playing with the spoon, mealtime is probably over. Never force your baby to continue eating and you'll both look forward to the fun and relaxing bonding opportunity.How much should I feed my baby?This is a popular question. And a typical concern for most parents. While there isn't a magic number, there is an easy answer: a healthy baby eating healthy foods will naturally self-regulate. Your healthy child will automatically demonstrate that he is ready to stop eating when full. Likewise, a healthy baby will not starve himself. Don't overfeed your baby when he refuses to eat or put him on a reducing diet because of baby fat concerns. Some days your child may eat like she can't get enough and other days like a bird.Since breast milk or formula provides all the nutrition children need in the first year of life, the most important reason for introducing solids is to teach them how to eat. Recent theories on adult health suggest that life-long eating behaviors start with infant feeding experiences. It is vital we allow our children to listen to their bodies — to stop when they've had enough and to keep eating while they're hungry. By trusting our children to know their nutritional needs, we can build a solid foundation for our children's eating habits for life. As long as you and your pediatrician agree that your child is healthy, happy, and developing well, you're probably right on track. At first, you'll offer your baby just 1-2 tablespoons (1/2-1 ounce) once a day early in the day. Over the next weeks, gradually increase that amount according to your child's appetite (typically 2-4 tablespoons or 1-2 ounces). Introduce a second meal consisting of the same serving size in the late afternoon when your child's appetite suggests she's ready. The following table offers average food amounts for the average child. Of course, every baby is different — different in height, weight, activity level, and appetite. It is meant to serve as a guide, not a rule. Let your child show you how much to feed her. And talk to your pediatrician to decide what's right for your particular child.
Do I still need to give my baby breast milk or formula?Yes. Until your child is a year old, breast milk or formula provides all the nutrients your child needs and should remain the main source of nourishment. Even though solid foods will eventually replace some of your baby's calories, they can't replace all the nutrients that breast milk or formula provides during the critical first year. It is important to remember that solid foods should complement their liquid nutrition, not replace it.How do I introduce other solid foods?Always follow your pediatrician's advice regarding the waiting period after the introduction of each new food. Most experts recommend a 4 to 7 day waiting period. Some suggest 3. Others suggest 5. We'll use 4 days to discuss the theory of the waiting period. But, again, speak to your pediatrician and decide what's best for your child.The waiting period means that you only introduce one new food at a time. This is vital since it is possible that your baby has one or more food allergies or sensitivities. Since reactions can be delayed and occur up to several days after the introduction of a new food, you want to be sure you can isolate the allergic culprit. After your baby tries a new food, wait at least 4 days before introducing the next new food. This does not mean that you feed your child only that new food during the waiting period or lots of the new food during the waiting period. Instead, it means introducing a small amount of a new food at one feeding each day and then feeding a variety of the other foods your child has already safely experienced. Some experts also recommend not waiting any longer than a week before giving your baby another new food. Overfeeding a single food by feeding one food for too long a time can also produce a sensitivity to that food. What are signs of an allergic reaction?After you introduce a new food, watch your baby during the waiting period for any signs of allergies. Keep in mind that incidence of serious food allergies are rare in healthy children — especially in those for whom solid food introduction occurs after 6 months of age. But it is important that you be alert for signs of allergies (particularly those that my run in the family) so that you can react immediately and consult your pediatrician if necessary.Allergic symptoms most commonly occur in the digestive tract, respiratory system, and the skin. They range from mild to severe and can include*: Nausea Vomiting Gas Diarrhea Frequent stools Abdominal pain Bed wetting Cough Weezing Breathing difficulty Asthma Runny nose Eye swelling Lip swelling Facial swelling Rash Diaper rash Hives Itching Eczema Mouth ulcers Headache Irritability Fatigue Behavior problems *Adapted from Ruth Yaron, Super Baby Food, page 30. What if my baby doesn't like a particular food?If your baby turns away from a particular food or expresses obvious displeasure, don't push. Continue to gently and lovingly offer that new food for a number of days. If your child keeps demonstrating an unwillingness to eat it, let it go for now. But try again in a week or so. Children can be fickle about which foods they prefer. Your child may end up loving this particular food next month. Of course, this also works the other way. Children may suddenly hate a food that they previously couldn't get enough of. As always, follow their lead and continue to reintroduce unloved foods periodically to give them the opportunity to change their minds.How will solids affect my baby's stool?Don't be surprised that your baby's stools change when you add solids to the diet. If your baby has been exclusively breastfed up to this point, the formerly sweet-smelling stools will take on a much stronger odor. The stool may also take on the color of food eaten hours before or even contain pieces of undigested foods. And the stool will often be more firm. This is all normal. But if you have any concerns, discuss them with your pediatrician.If stools seem too firm, your baby may be slightly constipated. Talk to your pediatrician. Since rice cereal, bananas, and pureed apples can be constipating, you may be advised to switch to other fruits and vegetables and oatmeal or barley cereal. If stools become loose, watery, or full of mucus, your baby's digestive tract might be irritated by a particularly food. Talk to your pediatrician. You may be advised to temporarily reduce solid food intake, especially that of the suspected food. If your baby experiences diaper rash, the stool may be too acidic from too much fruit. Talk to your pediatrician. You may need to cut back on your child's fruit intake. I've heard a little about nitrates — should I be concerned?The American of Academy of Pediatrics recommends that homemade spinach, carrots, beets, squash, and green beans be avoided until infants are 3 months or older. Other experts recommend waiting until your child is 6 months or even 8 months before introducing some of these foods. In certain areas of the country, these crops contain high nitrate levels that may cause a type of anemia in young infants. Organic crops that don't use nitrate-containing fertilizers reduce the risk. While some commercial baby food makers voluntarily test their foods for nitrates, homemade baby food makers can't. Some health professionals believe the risk is so small, that there is no need to wait until your child is older to introduce these foods. Talk to your pediatrician to decide what's right for your child.Are there particular sanitary methods required when feeding children?Babies are more vulnerable to germs than are older children and adults. Always wash your hands before preparing, plating, or serving your baby. Always use clean utensils, preparation surfaces, pots, pans, dishes, cups, etc when preparing meals for your baby. Obviously, these items don't need to be sterilized, but they should always be washed thoroughly in hot, soapy water.Since raw food contains bacteria, never let cooked food come in contact with raw food or dishes, pots, cutting boards, or utensils that have been come in contact with raw foods to avoid cross-contamination that can cause food poisoning. And never let baby food sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Harmful bacteria will grow if given a chance. Food left at room temperature (open or unopened) for more than 2 hours must be discarded. Do I need any special equipment?Other than a highchair to establish your child's place at the table and a rubber-tipped spoon to protect your little one's sensitive gums, no special equipment is required. Of course, a bib, a plastic dish with a suction bottom, and a splat mat on the floor will help keep mess to a minimum.What foods should my child avoid?There are certain foods that you shouldn't give your baby just yet, depending on her age. See the chart below for a few of the most common potentially toxic, dangerous, or allergenic foods. If allergies run in the family, you'll want to be particularly cautious about those foods. Talk to your pediatrician about this issue.
How can I help my child develop healthy eating habits?Recent theories on adult health suggest that life-long eating behaviors start with infant feeding experiences. It is vital we allow our children to listen to their bodies — to stop when they've had enough and to keep eating while they're hungry. By trusting our children to know their nutritional needs, we can build a solid foundation for our children's eating habits for life. As long as you and your pediatrician agree that your child is healthy, happy, and developing well, you're probably right on track.Key suggestions include:
When do I let my child self-feed?At first, finger foods will provide opportunities for self-feeding. Create finger foods out of foods you're already feeding your child. Roll pureed vegetables, fruit, and cereals into small balls. Offer bits of soft cooked vegetables or fruit — just don't offer anything that is too slippery. Most of it will end up on the floor as your child develops manual dexterity and hand-eye (or hand-mouth!) coordination. Professional finger-feeding skills won't become established until 18-24 months.As soon as your child starts showing interest in the spoon, give her one to play with at mealtime. The kind with the bent handles are especially good for preventing children from poking themselves in the eye. By 1 year, she'll start to use the spoon for its real purpose — although it will take another many months before she becomes at all proficient. Most babies can successfully move spoon to mouth around 15 months and become more skilled from 18-24 months. Until then, let her experiment with one spoon while you offer bites with another spoon. And help her out by filling the spoon for her, then letting her guide it to her own mouth. Self-feeding is the best way to avoid force-feeding and know that your child is eating exactly how much they want. |
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