After four or six months of milk feeding, your baby is ready to start exploring the fantastic world of solid food flavors. Congratulations! This is a big step for both the baby and the parents. You are probably wondering how to ensure a good start. Rightly so, because the relationship your child will have with food depends on you. But, no stress. We are here to help you start this adventure well.
It is completely understandable if you are unsure how to safely introduce solid foods. Supplementary feeding mainly refers to milk formulas – especially if you consider all the questions about possible allergies and the order in which food is introduced. Trust us, just like everything else in parenting, you will quickly master this and start enjoying food.
Be sure that your child is really ready for solid food
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to six months, and then gradual introduction of complementary foods. If you do not breastfeed, formula replaces breast milk until the same period. Since not all children are the same, some will be ready for solid foods earlier, as early as four months, while others a little later. For this step, you should consult a pediatrician, who will assess whether the baby is ready for the introduction of solid foods.
If you start too early, the baby may not be psychologically ready to eat solid food and may completely refuse it. On the other hand, if you wait too long, the baby will not get enough nutrients from breast milk or formula needed for further development.
Additional signs that your baby is ready include the ability to sit up alone (or with very little assistance), having doubled their birth weight, and showing interest in food by reaching out for it.
- Ensure a proper feeding place
For proper and safe feeding, a good high chair is essential – one that allows the child to sit with their upper body and legs at a 90-degree angle and their feet touching a surface. If the chair is too big, feel free to add pillows to the seating area or something under the feet.
During feeding, there should be nothing else on the table except the plate with food, and no toys or anything that will distract the child. Provide a space where they can freely explore the food in front of them. Also, avoid any screens – television, tablet, or mobile phone during feeding, as the baby should focus on eating.
- Take it slow and be persistent
When introducing new flavors and textures, it’s best to do it slowly and be persistent. Introduce foods one by one so you can determine if the child is allergic to anything. Studies show that repetition (offering the same food multiple times a month) is an excellent way to get the child to accept a certain taste. Sometimes, you need to offer a food to a child up to 20 times for them to accept it. In other words, you might avoid food battles over broccoli later if you give the child time to get used to the taste while they are still young.
The best first food is rice cereal because it is hypoallergenic and has a neutral taste. It is then recommended to introduce various vegetables and then fruits, so the baby does not immediately get used to sweet tastes.
Some foods that are a great start:
- Apple puree
- Pumpkin puree
- Pea puree
- Sweet potato
- Millet, rice, and corn (gluten-free cereals for starters)
Research has shown that early introduction of some typical allergens (such as peanut butter) can be beneficial, but if there is any risk of allergies in the family, consult your pediatrician. It is advised to introduce allergens before the first birthday, ideally while breastfeeding, as reactions will be significantly milder, if they occur at all.
- Cooked is good, but ready-made can also be perfect
If you want to cook for your baby from the start, steam is the best method to preserve all the vitamins and minerals in the food. Later, you can bake vegetables and fruits in the oven with a little olive oil. However, don’t stress yourself if you can’t manage or find all the ingredients you want, especially when you’re out of the house. Choose quality ready-made products as a substitute, such as ready-made fruit, vegetable, or meat purees, as they are made from specially selected ingredients with strict safety and quality control. Before buying mixed products, make sure your child has tried each individual ingredient.
Feed your child with appropriate utensils and allow them to determine the amount they will eat
Believe it or not, children can have an aversion to eating simply because of an uncomfortable position or they may be bothered by the spoon they are using. The first spoon should not be too large; try a few and you will easily see which one the child likes. During feeding, you should look into your child’s eyes and feed them that way. When they close their mouth or turn away a lot, it is a sign that they are full. In the beginning, they will certainly eat much less than you expect. Allow the child to decide when they are full, as this sets a good foundation for later.
