Infants begin life with a liquid diet of breast milk or infant formula. At around six months (no earlier than four months), babies are usually ready for their parents to begin gradually introducing solid foods. However, parents should be sure that their infant is ready to tackle this developmental milestone and that they understand how to safely and effectively introduce solid foods to their infant.
Is It Time to Introduce Solid Foods? Signs of Readiness
On average, infants are ready for the introduction of some solid food at about six months. However, every child is different and develops at a slightly different pace. Some signs that may indicate that your baby is developmentally ready to try solid foods include:
- The ability to sit up on their own or with some support
- The ability to control their neck and head
- They try to hold small objects, like toys or food.
- They begin bringing objects to their mouth.
- They open their mouth when you offer food.
- They can take food from a spoon.
- They can transfer the food from the front of the mouth to the back of the tongue.
- They swallow food instead of spitting it out.
Solid foods are typically not recommended for infants under four months of age, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only breastmilk (or infant formula) for the first six months. Typically, babies are big enough to begin trying solid foods when they have doubled their birth weight.
First Foods to Try When Introducing Solid Foods
When first introducing solid foods, it is best to introduce foods one at a time. Begin offering a single, one-ingredient food that you feed your baby with a spoon and that does not need to be chewed.
Some options for your baby’s first foods include:
- Pureed vegetables like sweet potatoes, peas, or carrots
- Mashed fruits like bananas, avocados, or applesauce
- Iron-fortified infant cereal
- Pureed meats
When introducing new foods, take it slowly. Only introduce one type of food at a time and wait about three to five days before offering a new food so that you will be able to monitor your baby for signs of allergic reactions or digestive issues.
Safety First: Allergen Introduction Strategy
Parents should know that some kinds of foods are more likely than others to trigger an allergic reaction. Potential allergenic foods include:
- Products made from cow’s milk
- Eggs
- Fish and shellfish
- Peanuts and tree nuts
- Wheat, soy, and sesame
Although babies should not consume cow’s milk or soy beverages until they are at least 12 months, there is no need for parents to wait to introduce other types of potentially allergenic foods, including yogurt made from cow’s milk, to their child.
When introducing any food to your child, offer only one new food at a time so that you can observe your child for potential reactions or signs of allergies. Signs of an allergic reaction could include a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting that occurs after consuming a new food.
Avoiding Common Mistakes When Introducing Solid Foods
As all parents know, babies don’t come with instruction manuals, and every child is different. This can complicate the process of introducing solid foods to your infant. Consider the following tips to avoid common mistakes throughout the process:
- Don’t Rush – Introduce one food at a time and respond to your baby’s cues. If they push away spoons or spit out the food, don’t try to force it. Simply try again the next day.
- Start Small – Begin with just a teaspoon or two of a simple, one-ingredient food per meal or even per day.
- Choose Simple Foods – For safety, stick with simple, single-ingredient foods that will be easy on your baby’s taste buds and their digestive system.
- Avoid Choking Hazards – Choking is a concern when introducing solid foods, so make sure that the foods you offer do not increase that risk. Cook fruits and vegetables so that they are soft and easy to mash or puree. Remove bones and skin from meat before pureeing it. Cut round and spherical foods into small pieces no bigger than the tip of your baby’s finger. Also, never put cereal or other foods in your baby’s bottle.
- Offer Water – When your baby begins eating solid foods, they can usually get enough fluid from the formula or breastmilk that they will still be consuming. However, you can provide them with some water. About eight ounces per day is acceptable.
- Continue Formula or Breastfeeding – Continue breastfeeding or giving your baby formula throughout the process to ensure they consume enough calories and nutrients.
Ask a Pediatrician: Professional Guidance for Introducing Solid Foods
New parents have a lot on their minds: learning how to care for an infant, tracking developmental milestones, and supporting healthy sleeping patterns. When you are ready to begin introducing solid foods, this simply adds more learning opportunities to the list. New parents should remember that they are not the first to go through the process. Take advantage of the resources that are available to you and lean on others for support and guidance.
If you have any questions about introducing solid foods, please contact us. Our pediatricians are always here to support you and your child.