Feeding Baby Solid Food, Getting Started

For the first several months, the only nourishment baby requires is present in breast milk or formula. Many scientific studies show that adding other foods prior to the fourth month may improve the baby’s probabilities of creating allergies. But studies also recommend that by the 6 month of life baby is almost certainly prepared for something more than milk or formula. Exactly when you begin baby on food is up to you and your baby’s readiness. Regardless of when you introduce food, formula or breast milk continues to be the baby’s primary source of nourishment until finally a minimum of one year of age.

Introducing foods to babies is more for baby to learn new textures and tastes than it is for nourishment. Even so, adding rice cereal to baby’s diet may support him feel fuller and sleep much better through the night. Some parent never feed babies baby food and begin with table food immediately. As a way to begin solid foods baby must be able to hold up his head, sit up with or without support, take food off a spoon, and make a chewing motion.

You should only introduce a single new food per week. This allows you time to see if your baby will have any adverse responses towards the food. It’s also to introduce foods several instances prior to giving up and deciding baby will not eat it. Do not season baby food, particularly with sugar or salt. By no means add food to a feeding bottle, unless there is a medical reason; babies must be fed with a spoon from the beginning.

Begin with a rice cereal combined with breast milk or formula. Only several bites the first few nights are needed. Rice cereal is quickly digested and provides bulk to baby’s diet. Other cereals, or rice cereals blended with fruits, can be tried after baby is familiar with rice cereal.

Constantly introduce vegetables prior to fruits. Fruits are quite sweet and babies who are introduced to these first frequently will refuse to eat veggies. Carrots and squash are excellent vegetables to start as they’re sweeter than other vegetables. But, for the same reason fruits aren’t introduced first, green veggies must be introduced quickly to avoid baby only consuming sweet vegetables.

After your baby is consuming greens well you can add fruits. Do not give baby citrus fruits at this time as they frequently cause allergic reactions. Fruit juice is not a substitute for fruit. Juice must only be given through a cup, never the bottle.
If you decide on to make your personal baby food, it must be mashed into a smooth texture simply swallowed. When buying baby food be sure to read the labels and steer clear of foods with additives; there are plenty of organic baby foods available as well. You should not provide your baby peanut butter, grapes, or other foods that are choking risks; nor must you give a baby honey. It’s a fun time for baby and for you, so have fun with it.

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