How to Start Baby on Solids
Parenting is one of the most wonderful, yet responsible jobs of the world. A small mistake can lead to major consequences in the long-term, especially because the babies are not able to communicate their messages as effectively as the adults.
Feeding the child properly and at the right time is one of the prime responsibilities of the parents. It is often a mystery for many parents to know when the right time to start their baby on solid food is. Solid food is referred to the food other than breast milk or formula. There is no exact time to introduce solid food to your baby but the parents should look for certain development cues to know when the baby is ready for solids.
Instructions
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1
The right time for solids
During the first four months, babies only require breast milk or formula. Most babies however, start their tendency towards solids after six months of their life. However, the parents must understand that the solids are there just to complement the breast milk and not to replace the latter. It is important for the mothers to know that their babies do get all the nutrients and vitamins during pregnancy.
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2
Development cues
After four to six months, the baby will start to give certain clues. If the parents spend enough time with the baby, they do get to understand his body language, which helps them understand different clues. Once the baby is ready for solids, he will express his desire for food by trying to move towards it or by opening his mouth. Most babies, when ready for solids, start chewing or taking their hand towards mouth. It is crucial for parents to understand the baby sign language.
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3
What and how much babies can eat
In the initial stages, the babies should be given iron-fortified cereals like rice or barley, which can also be mixed with breast milk. Babies should continue to be breast-fed during that period. Rice cereals as compared to others have a lesser chance of causing any allergic reaction, so they are ideal at this stage.
The amount should increase slowly but gradually. At the early stage, a baby should begin with one tablespoon cereal combined with three tablespoons of breast milk or the formula per day. This little quantity along with the routine breast milk will help the child get used to on solids.
Once the baby starts to sit upright with support, you can increase his diet and start giving him textured cooked vegetables or fruits.
