When and how do to approach first foods for your baby?

When should my baby start solids?

Breast milk or formula alone is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth. For these very young infants, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that water, juice, and other foods are generally unnecessary. Even when babies enjoy discovering new tastes and textures, solid foods should not replace breastfeeding or bottle feeding, but merely complement milk as the infant’s main source of nutrients throughout the first year. Beyond one year, as the variety and volume of solid foods gradually increase, breast milk remains an ideal addition to the child’s diet.

There is a good physical reason why we wait until this age to start with solids. Young babies thrust their tongue forward to take in milk from the breast or bottle. So this means that they tend to push food out of their mouth. That kind of defeats the purpose! Be prepared for a messy time! Feeding times should be fun and not hurried.

Here are some general guidelines for introducing foods:

• Cereal is usually started first, between 1-2 teaspoons, then increasing as growth demands. This can be mixed with breast milk or formula, and given from a bowl. Do not add to milk in a bottle, this changes the perception of trying new solids.
• Foods can be introduced one at a time and usually in small amounts such as 1-2 teaspoons. This gives the parent time to see if the baby tolerates the new food, and also gives the infant time to get used to the new food.
• Be prepared to wear some of this food, feeding is not precise - it is a new experience for both of you. Relax and sing songs or tell stories as you introduce your baby to foods.
• If your baby does not like a food, discontinue it until another later time. It can take up to ten times of trying a food before some babies will take to it. So don't give up and be patient.
• Until a child can eat by themselves, it is best to offer breast milk or formula first. This takes care of the hunger factor, and gives you time to patiently offer new foods.
• Meal times need not be rushed - take your time and don't worry if not too much goes in at first.

Here are a few precautions you need to take when giving your baby new foods

• For the first six months make sure you read labels and avoid cereals which contain the protein gluten. There is a small percentage of children are actually allergic to gluten. The types of cereal which do not contain gluten are: rice, maize, buckwheat, sago and tapioca.
• Egg whites are avoided until 12 months of age as some babies have a reaction to them.
• You should also avoid peanuts or any other products containing peanuts until 12 months of age.
• You'll need to avoid cow's milk, yogurt, fish, eggs and peanuts until 12 months of age if your family has a history of food allergies. Always seek professional help if you have further questions.
• Avoid giving your baby under the age of 1 year any honey or corn syrup as they may carry the risk of botulism.
• Do not give your baby foods which may cause choking such as nuts (alone or in foods) hot dogs, seeds, pieces of raw fruit or vegetable, small candies, popcorn, grapes or dry cereal.
• Popcorn, nuts, seeds and small candies should not be given until four years old.

Tips for Feeding Your Baby 6 Months to the First Year

At Six Months:

• Solid food is first offered in semi-liquid form because it is much easier to swallow.
• Infant cereal is mixed with breast milk, formula or water, then served as a thin mixture from a spoon, not in a bottle.
• Commercial or homemade purees are easy to swallow. When introduced after 6 months, pureed foods need not stay on the menu more than a few weeks.
• Introduce new foods one at a time, three to five days apart.
• Start a new food when baby is happy and hungry.  Mornings or at lunchtime seem to be the best times.
• Expect a mess, children use all of their senses when eating. Allowing children to explore the food is important to their development.
• Your baby should eat willingly and mealtimes should be pleasant.

Around Seven to Eight Months

• Food may simply be fork mashed and gradually offered with more texture.
• Your baby is now ready to chew, whether she has a few teeth or none. This is a critical time for baby to get used to different textures. If foods with more texture are not offered at this time, some babies will develop a resistance to solids and will accept only purees until many months later.
• Finger foods such as dry toast, cooked vegetables, unsalted crackers, pieces of soft ripe fruit, such as banana and cheese cubes can be offered during this period. They are preferable to commercial teething biscuits, which have added sugar.
• Meat is more difficult to chew and should first be served pureed and then by about 10-11 months cut up very finely.

About Nine Months

• In addition to mashed foods, finely cut up table foods should gradually be introduced in the last quarter of the first year, according to the baby's eating skills and appetite.
• Commercial junior foods may not provide the chewing challenge babies need in the last part of their first year.

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