Infant feeding: When do we introduce solid foods?

When you start introducing solid foods into the infant’s nutrition, you must know a number of necessary things first, here is the most important information.

Infant feeding: When do we introduce solid foods?

The transition to solid baby food isn’t just about age. Babies can start eating solid foods as soon as they start chewing their toys and everything they find on their way or within reach.

At this point, their gums are strong enough to chew. And the huge amounts of saliva they produce helps dissolve food in their mouths.

In the first stage

Food for infants at the beginning of the transition to solid food includes the introduction of foods such as: whole grains – which contain a lot of dietary fiber and proteins, rice mixed with milk or vegetable mixtures.

It is preferable to start giving solid food when the child is able to sit up, to avoid choking.

It is also preferable to give your child a large piece of soluble food, such as a slice of bread or a biscuit, so that he can hold it and put it in his mouth easily and it is difficult to swallow it whole, so he begins to exercise his gums to work hard.

In the second stage

In the second stage, we can prepare him meals that are less soft than usual and then gradually increase their hardness until he is able to eat small pieces of fruit or vegetables and chew them in his mouth.

General Tips

Here are some tips that will help you get through the transition to eating solid baby food easier:

1- Don’t give up on the bottle

In the first stage, it is preferable to add solid food to your child’s regular food and not make it the main meal.

His mouth is not quite skilled enough yet, and the whole topic of handling food in the mouth before it is swallowed is still completely new to him. Therefore, you must give him enough time.

Continue to bottle feed him and gradually add solid baby food.

2- Start with cereal and rice

These foods are nutritious, healthy, and most importantly – they rarely cause allergic reactions. It is best to know if your child is allergic to a particular food. It is preferable to start adding different foods to his diet.

Cereals and rice should be mixed with milk or vegetable mixtures, in order to soften them and facilitate the process of eating them.

3- Use a spoon

Solid foods that are given at the beginning are closer to liquid and are very suitable for eating with a spoon. The spoon is round and comfortable and very helpful in practicing getting food into the mouth.

Begin by giving a teaspoon or two at each meal – at this point what matters is not how much the child eats with the spoon but rather practice and experience.

4- Fruits and vegetables: one type at a time

Starting with one fruit or vegetable at a time, this is the way to find out if your child is allergic to a particular food.

If your child does not want to eat a specific thing, do not force him to do so, but do not give up on it, but try again. Let him eat it again after a few days to try to spot the food allergy as soon as possible.

If you discover an allergy to a particular food, you should consult your pediatrician.

5- Avoid milk and honey at first

Most doctors advise against giving babies cow’s milk before the age of one year because some babies find it difficult to digest in the first months of life.

It is also not recommended to give honey to your child before the age of one year, too, knowing that the more hard-liners advise not to give it to the child before the age of two years, for fear of the deadly botulinum bacteria.

But not only that, honey – and with it sweetened drinks and juices – your child may like it and get used to its taste and may continue to consume sweet drinks and foods in the future, which may cause obesity and early dental problems.

6- Listen to your child

When he says no – it means no. A child who wants to stop eating tries to break the spoon or throw it away, move his head from side to side or close his mouth tightly at best.

In slightly worse cases, you might even get a refreshing shower of fruit salad on your new shirt. Do not force him to eat. Respecting his reaction helps to avoid overeating when he is older.

7- A selective child? Not a bad thing

Not all babies are excited about the new food you offer them. Don’t force your child to do this, just try, every few days.

Don’t forget that you are setting an example for him, so he may be more interested in the food you eat and enjoy.

So, even if mashed apples and bananas isn’t exactly the meal you dreamed of, a few spoons and a few faux pleasure motions might do the job.

8- Don’t be angry

As your child gets older, he tries to feed himself better, more precisely. However, the intent is important. So, don’t get excited, simply accept it and understand.

At worst, you’ll run the washing machine twice a day or paint the wall again, because Christmas is near.

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