The Exciting Milestone Of Baby Food Solids

After six months of a liquid diet, it is exciting for your baby, and for you as a parent, to try out some baby food solids. It is a fun milestone and an exciting photo opportunity. But there are also important considerations regarding what to introduce and when.

The World Health Organization states that babies under the age of six months should get all nutrition from breast milk and/or formula. However, some pediatricians and parents still like to try new choices at four months of age. One reason is that infants at this age seem so hungry. They often go through a growth spurt right at this time. However, it should still be possible to cope with this appetite by increasing liquid feedings.

At the six-month mark, parents get a green light for trying out some foods with good nutrition and easy texture. New items should always be as nutritious as breast milk or formula. Make sure that new foods are not empty calories.

Also, watch out for allergies. Introduce each new food by itself, or with those that your baby has already tried, so that you can monitor for any type of reaction. Wait two to three days before having your child sample another new choice. If your child develops a rash, vomiting, or diarrhea, stop the food and consult a physician.

A popular first choice is rice cereal. Other options are mashed avocado and banana. You can buy prepared products, or simply mash the fruit yourself and thin it with breast milk or formula. For denser fruits and vegetables, you will need to steam them, cool them off, puree and thin. Make sure not to use whole milk to thin what you prepare. There are books available or recipes online. Some proteins that are possible include chicken, turkey, tofu, and plain whole milk yogurt.

At eight months, your infant can try cheeses, such as cream cheese and even mild cheddar. Always avoid soft cheeses like brie. Other protein options are egg yolks and beef. For fruits, you can try mashed grapes. Do not add salt or sugar during preparation.

At ten months, your child can sample bagels or pasta. He or she may want to try self-feeding. At the first birthday, you can finally try whole milk, which before this time could have interfered with digestion.

At all of the stages, remember to make sure that you keep the cooking process free of pathogens. Ensure that what you prepare is thin enough for your baby to eat safely and comfortably. Always remember good nutrition.

Now that you know all the menu choices, you may be wondering how often you should give them. At six to eight months, try two to three times a day. Add another feeding between nine and eleven months. In the toddler zone between ages one and two, there should be three to four meals with one to two snacks.

Introducing baby food solids is a fun time for a new parent. As your child grows, his or her menu of options increases at the same time.

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