At six months of age, a major change occurs in the child's diet: it is time to start introducing solid foods. His body is already prepared and this is a challenge for the parents.
Introducing solid foods to babies is a sensitive issue. It cannot be done in the first days of a child's life, but after a certain time and in a gradual manner.
During pregnancy, the placenta performs some of the feeding functions. Therefore, the child's digestive system must adapt after birth. This is why a newborn baby cannot tolerate all kinds of foods.
In this article, we will look at when to introduce solid foods for babies, how to know if they are ready, what foods are recommended and some general guidelines to consider.
How do I know if my baby is ready to eat solid foods?
Your baby should be exclusively breastfed for the first few moments of life. At six months of age, solid foods are introduced to infants. However, breastfeeding can continue for up to two years, alternating between the two forms.
In addition to age, a second factor to consider is related to height and weight. At about 4 months of age, babies weigh twice as much as they did at birth. In some specific cases, the need to advance the solid food intake can be evaluated, although these are specific exceptions to be indicated by a pediatrician.
Other aspects to consider are the different signals that the baby sends out. Some of these signals indicate that the baby is ready to accept solid foods:
- He can sit up and keep his head up.
- He's interested in the food that's going around in front of him.
- If something comes near his mouth, he opens it as if to swallow.
- He makes gestures or chewing movements.
What foods are recommended for this step?
There is not one type of food that you can include in your baby's diet to start this new stage. However, some are more recommended than others. These include the following:
- Cereals: rice, oats, corn or barley are foods rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition, they are an important source of fibre.
- Vegetables: Vegetables provide a wide variety of nutrients, including protein. They can be given to the child in the form of porridge.
- Fruit: Fruits alone are palatable. Fresh fruit is best, not canned.
- Animal foods: Meat and fish provide protein, vitamin A, iron, zinc, phosphorus and calcium. As for eggs, due to food allergies, it is best to wait until the year of life to do the tolerance test with one serving.
- Legumes: they are the best source of non-animal proteins.
How do you introduce solid foods to babies?
When introducing solid foods to infants, it is important to make sure that the child does not reject the new food. And if this can happen at first, it takes perseverance, without being traumatic.
Small bites should be given. Remember that this is a small child, who eats much less than an adult. You need to give your digestive system time to adapt to the change. Therefore, we shouldn't be frustrated if they only eat a little solid food.
Second, it is easier to introduce solid foods by alternating with breastfeeding or formula. This means: give him a small bottle or breastfeed, then a teaspoon of food and a little more milk. This will help her get used to the food.
During this process, the child will often play with the food. Sometimes the child will have food on the face, hands, bib or floor anywhere except in the mouth.
Don't scold your child for this, because next time it might be more difficult.
Instead, talk to your child gently, encouraging him or her to eat. And if he cries or won't open his mouth, it's best to wait and not insist for a while.
What changes will the baby experience from eating solid foods?
When solid foods are introduced, your child will begin to experience a variety of changes. Stools will be more solid in consistency, with a different color and smell than before. Also, urine will become cloudier.
Some stools may contain pieces of undigested food, but this should not be a warning sign. The timing of bowel movements may also vary and become less frequent. But this is not a sign of constipation.
On the other hand, you will notice that as you adapt to solid foods, he will have more appetite and the portions he eats will increase. He will gradually give up the bottle.
General recommendations on baby feeding
Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when you start introducing solid foods into your baby's life:
Hand-feeding: At this stage, we usually have to put the spoon in the child's mouth. But we shouldn't miss the opportunity when he wants to eat by himself and reaches out his hand. However, we have to be careful that it is not a big bite.
Taste other foods: Don't present your child with a plate containing a variety of things. In other words, it's best to go with one food at a time for each meal. Then move on to the next one, making a note of what he or she prefers. Today we try a cereal; tomorrow we try a vegetable porridge.
Fruit juices or fruit juice: you can prepare fruit juices to give him with the bottle, as long as they are fresh. No sugar should be added to fruit juices or juices for the baby.
Not all solids are good for a baby
Some parents may be concerned that their children may eat little solid food at first. But at first, about 100 grams is enough for a child to adjust.
Just as there are recommended foods, there are others you should avoid, such as canned foods, sausages, popcorn and other foods that can choke him. It is essential to evaluate the size of the bites so as not to create a hazard.
Always try to mash, puree or grind them so they can be eaten. Don't give him or her the whole thing. Finally, don't add salt or seasonings, as they are not necessary for her palate and taste, although they increase the risk of chronic disease in the future.
