How to get your baby to eat solid food is an issue many parents struggle with. Although babies vary depending on how they develop there are some general guidelines to consider. Consider when the right time to introduce solids and then utilize specific techniques to make the transition as smooth as possible
Most doctors and health professionals think that a baby should be at least six months old before the gradual introduction of solid food, while still regularly being fed milk. If yours is a breastfed child it's best for you to do this no more than for six months. Nutrients such as iron, which children need at this age, can't be fully catered for from breast milk at this point. If your child has been fed formula they should be given this for the first six months also, unless a health visitor or doctor has advised you to feed them any other type.
It is much safer at six months old to introduce the baby to solids. There is less chance of them catching an infection from their food, as their digestive systems are more mature and it also decreases their chances of having a bad reaction to food as their immune system is more developed at six months immune system is stronger
If you've made the decision to begin introducing solid foods to your child's diet, try not to give them anything that could aggravate their digestion. Foods to avoid include anything containing gluten, eggs, citrus fruits and juices, cows milk, dairy products and fish and shellfish. These have been known to cause upset stomachs and other unwanted reactions.
When introducing solids it's wise to start with easily digestible food s such as mashed or pureed vegetables. You could offer your baby vegetables like carrot, Swede, potato or sweet potato which have been mashed or pureed. They can also be offered fruits which have been mashed or pureed, like mango, pear, banana or cooked apple. To give your child more fibre you can offer them baby rice, cornmeal or maize by mixing it in with some of their milk.
By introducing these foods during their regular feed, you can help the change over to these new foods run smoother. Choose a time when you and your baby are relaxed and in a good mood. If you're giving you child hot warm or hot food, make sure it has been stirred well and is the right temperature for them to eat. If unsure test it on the inner part of your wrist before you offer it to them.
It can take quite a while for your baby to adjust to the different tastes. At first they may be tempted to reject and spit them out. Have patience and offer the same food again during a future feed. If that doesn't happen, you can try masking the taste of the food, by making it bland. Do this by adding few drops of milk to the food.
At first it may seem like your baby is not eating much but have patience. Remember that it might take some time for them to learn how to eat. As your child's mouth develops more of a side-to-side, chewing motion, add less liquid to their food so it has more chunks and soft lumps. This gives your baby the opportunity to work on chewing, gumming, and swallowing. As they become used to fruits, vegetables and cereals, add a range of other foods. Carefully increase the number of times a day when solids are eaten. By the time they are around seven months old, they should be eating solids three times a day.
Most doctors and health professionals think that a baby should be at least six months old before the gradual introduction of solid food, while still regularly being fed milk. If yours is a breastfed child it's best for you to do this no more than for six months. Nutrients such as iron, which children need at this age, can't be fully catered for from breast milk at this point. If your child has been fed formula they should be given this for the first six months also, unless a health visitor or doctor has advised you to feed them any other type.
It is much safer at six months old to introduce the baby to solids. There is less chance of them catching an infection from their food, as their digestive systems are more mature and it also decreases their chances of having a bad reaction to food as their immune system is more developed at six months immune system is stronger
If you've made the decision to begin introducing solid foods to your child's diet, try not to give them anything that could aggravate their digestion. Foods to avoid include anything containing gluten, eggs, citrus fruits and juices, cows milk, dairy products and fish and shellfish. These have been known to cause upset stomachs and other unwanted reactions.
When introducing solids it's wise to start with easily digestible food s such as mashed or pureed vegetables. You could offer your baby vegetables like carrot, Swede, potato or sweet potato which have been mashed or pureed. They can also be offered fruits which have been mashed or pureed, like mango, pear, banana or cooked apple. To give your child more fibre you can offer them baby rice, cornmeal or maize by mixing it in with some of their milk.
By introducing these foods during their regular feed, you can help the change over to these new foods run smoother. Choose a time when you and your baby are relaxed and in a good mood. If you're giving you child hot warm or hot food, make sure it has been stirred well and is the right temperature for them to eat. If unsure test it on the inner part of your wrist before you offer it to them.
It can take quite a while for your baby to adjust to the different tastes. At first they may be tempted to reject and spit them out. Have patience and offer the same food again during a future feed. If that doesn't happen, you can try masking the taste of the food, by making it bland. Do this by adding few drops of milk to the food.
At first it may seem like your baby is not eating much but have patience. Remember that it might take some time for them to learn how to eat. As your child's mouth develops more of a side-to-side, chewing motion, add less liquid to their food so it has more chunks and soft lumps. This gives your baby the opportunity to work on chewing, gumming, and swallowing. As they become used to fruits, vegetables and cereals, add a range of other foods. Carefully increase the number of times a day when solids are eaten. By the time they are around seven months old, they should be eating solids three times a day.
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