Tips To Introduce Solid Food To Baby

Breast milk is important for your baby and you can feed your baby with breast milk as long as two years. However, giving solid food to your baby is very important when they cross 6 months of age.

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After six months your baby's nutritional needs increases and breast milk can't meet their nutritional needs on its own. If you don't give them healthy solid food then they will become deficient in iron leading to anaemia.

Don't replace breast milk with solid food however. Give them breast milk also even if you introduce solid food. Breast milk should not be discontinued at least until 12 months of age. You should not also introduce solid food too early as it will cause loose motions and will make you baby weak.

There are some body signs that indicate that your baby is ready to take the solid food. These signs are that your baby can sit without support, he leans towards food and starts to take spoon inside his mouth.

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You must be patient also, if your baby rejects the food in the first attempt then don't force him. Try again after a couple of days or so. Some babies take time to get adjusted to solid food.

Here are some best ways to introduce solid foods to your baby.

Give Solid Food At Six Months Of Age

You can give solid food to your babies when they cross six months of age. After 6 months a baby's need for nutrients increases such as iron, so you have to feed him with solid food that is nutritious.

Signs That Your Baby Is Ready For Solids

There will be some signs that your baby can now digest solid food. These signs are, your baby can sit without any support, good head control, your baby leans forward when food is around, reaching out for food, taking spoon inside mouth, your baby opens mouth when food is offered.

Starting Solids Too Early Can Cause Problems

You should not give solid food to your babies if you feel they can't eat or digest it or before 6 months of age. If your baby is hungry, you can give more breast milk. Giving your baby solid food too early can cause poor growth if you have completely replaced breast milk with solid food and loose motions.

Don’t Start Solids Too Late

You should also not give solid food to your babies too late. This can lead to impaired growth as breast milk can't fulfill the growing nutritional needs of your baby. You baby can get iron deficiency anemia, protein deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies.

Signs That Your Baby Is Not Interested

Sometimes you force solid food to your baby after as soon as they reach 6 months of age. You have to give them a little more time until they themselves will like to take it. If your baby closes his mouth tightly, moves his head away, starts to cry, pushes the spoon away when you first offer him the food then try again after few days. Don't force them, keep trying and they will soon learn to accept solid food.

Suggested First Food

You can make your baby's solid food easily at home. Avoid salt, sugar and seasonings in their foods.
Mash the food properly and it should be a smooth paste. Later you can feed him with coarsely mashed food. Mash rice to make a smooth paste and add soup to it. You can also give finger foods, pieces of cooked veggies, fruits, toast, mashed beans, pulses etc.

Tips For Giving Solids

Stop when your baby is full. He will himself reject the food when he is full and then don't force him. Your child may only have only one spoon the fist time. Relax as they will gradually take more of food. If your baby refuses in the first attempt, try after some time.