How to get your baby to eat solid food is something every parent needs to be aware of. It’s true that babies don’t develop at the same pace, but it’s also true that there is basic guidance that can be followed. It’s critical to consider when solids will be introduced and then use the right methods to make sure it’s as painless 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 the safer option to give your baby solids after six months have passed. The risk of infection has significantly decreased due to their digestion being more developed. There is also a significant reduction in the possibility of them reacting negatively to what you feed them as they have now developed a stronger immune system.
If you decide it is the right move to start your child on solids at around six months, don’t give them foods they could react badly to. Foods such cow’s milk and dairy products, those containing gluten, fish and shellfish, eggs and citrus fruits and juices have been known to cause stomach upsets and other adverse reactions in babies.
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.
You can introduce these new foods to your baby in the middle of a feed to make the transition smoother. Pick a relaxed time that’s works for both of you. If the food is hot make sure it has been well stirred, cool enough to eat and take time to test it on the inside of your wrist before giving 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.
It might seem as though you’re child’s not eating a lot at first, but it’s a good idea to be patient during this period. It might take them a bit of time for them to learn to eat properly. As the child’s mouth begins to chew more and they move their mouth side to side, make sure they have less liquid added to their food so that they can work on moving the food in their mouths with their gums, chewing their food and swallowing. As they get used to the foods you’ve already been giving them, start to add to these and ensure the number of times a day your baby gets solids is increased. By the age of seven months you should be aiming for your child to be consuming solids up to 3 times in a day