As your baby is growing from the teeny-tiny wrapped bundle you brought home from the hospital to a bigger bundle of joy, his needs are increasing and changing as well.
In the first few months of his life, milk was enough to sustain him. Breast milk or formula was adequate to keep his body growing and developing as it should in milestones. Now that he's accomplished a few developmental tasks, he is more or less ready to tackle a bigger goal: eating solids.
Babies are introduced to solids anytime between the ages of four and six months. Discounting medical and gastro-intestinal issues aside, this is the time frame most parents introduce solid foods to the baby.
Babies are introduced to solids anytime between the ages of four and six months. Discounting medical and gastro-intestinal issues aside, this is the time frame most parents introduce solid foods to the baby.
Normally, parents give the baby oatmeal flakes, rice flake, rice cereal, porridge mixed with breast milk or formula, or even water, to a smooth consistency. This may be given over a period of weeks, while keeping an eye out for reactions.
It is likewise smart to introduce vegetables before fruits so as to train the palate to acquire that taste of vegetables before the sweetness of fruits. At around four and a half months, babies may begin their solid foods intake. It is advisable to start with either pureed peas or carrots, as these contain a certain degree of sweetness to attract the baby's taste buds but not overpowering so as to condition the taste buds.
Parents have the option of choosing pre-made jar foods or to process their own baby food. This is mainly dependent on their lifestyle. Either way, it comes down to a fairly easy process of preparing to introduce baby to solids.
Introduction of a small amount of a single vegetable during one of the day's meals, ideally lunch, is fairly uncomplicated, though, undoubtedly messy. It is advisable to spoon a serving from the jar into a bowl and refrigerate the rest. This makes for more sanitary and healthy food for baby, as well as longer shelf life for baby's veg-du-jour.
Once baby is properly in his high chair with bib attached and some toys on his tray to entertain him, the parent can dip the tip of the baby spoon into the vegetable mush that is now baby's first solid meal. The parent can then bring it to baby's mouth, but does not put the spoon inside his mouth. Instead, the parent encourages the baby to lean in to eat by positioning the spoon just a bit off his mouth and giving the baby a little taste by letting the mush touch his lips.
Instinctively, the baby will try to lick his lips or more likely, smack his lips together in an effort to masticate his food. This is the time parents have been waiting for and savor every facial expression the baby makes. Be mindful of external reactions, i.e., parents laughing, grandma squealing, sibling giggling. These noises contribute to the baby's initial memory of the food, and may inadvertently turn him off it.
It is wise to try one particular vegetable over a period of days to see if baby develops any allergic reaction to it. Parents should likewise keep a close watch on the baby's bowel movements -- consistency, color, ease of delivery. There are certain foods that tend to make the baby exert more effort in pushing it out. If the baby develops any rash, the parents should discontinue that particular food until a later time. Introducing one kind of food, whether it is a vegetable or fruit, at a time, makes the process of elimination easier in determining which food caused the baby discomfort.
Continue giving the baby a variety of fruits and vegetables, following the same one-at-a-time technique, making certain the baby is not allergic to any of the foods being offered him.
At around nine months to one year, the baby may be introduced to meats and pasta. These, of course, if not store-bought, should be processed to a consistency that will not choke the baby.
From age one, the baby may eat practically everything, with the appropriate consistency, that has been introduced to him individually in previous months. This is with the exception of honey and peanut butter. Babies under two should not be given honey as this has been studied to cause infant botulism and more allergies later in life. Peanut butter and peanut products should not be in the baby's diet as this is a highly allergenic food.
Feeding the baby his first solid food should be a milestone of sorts for the entire family. This is the beginning of baby joining the family table for meals, and a silent introduction of society.