Feeding Your Baby Solids
Feeding your baby solids
One of the biggest victories –you’ll have as a new parent is when your baby moves from being bottle (or breast) fed to eating solid foods. It’s not only a major milestone; it’s an opportunity for a new and adventurous activity to share with your baby. Here are some basic tips to help the transition along.
0-6 months
There are two main signs that indicate when babies are ready for their first foods. You’ll probably see them at around six months. The first is your baby’s ability to consistently hold their head up on their own – a straightened esophagus makes the path from mouth to stomach so much easier for solid food to travel. The second sign is your baby’s curiosity, which will most likely be demonstrated by them watching you intently while you eat. If that sign is too subtle, some babies might even grab something off your plate and put it in their mouths. It’s not rude. It’s clear communication.
It’s best not to rush into a baby food schedule. Their digestive systems won't have the necessary enzymes to handle it they’re not ready. They’ll let you know loud and clear. Talk to you doctor if you’re not sure what to start feeding your little one first.
6-9 months
After a lifelong diet of bottle (or breast) milk, your baby will need to ease into the taste and texture of their first foods. For the first few days, start with a teaspoon or two of foods high in iron like pureed legumes or iron-fortified infant cereal about 30 minutes after breast-feeding. If you bottle-feed, wait an hour or so before you begin so their belly isn’t too full.
Once cereal has become a regular part of your little one's feeding routine, you can move on to other solid foods. Small amounts (about a tablespoon) of mashed bananas, avocados, or sweet potatoes are excellent – and easy – choices for this next step, but should be introduced one at a time. Give your baby at least three days with each new food to see if they’re allergic to it. Allergy symptoms may include rash, bloating, diarrhea, and fussiness, and usually involve products containing milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, eggs, fish or shellfish. Canada’s Food Guide has all this information.
9-12 months
You might want to pull that immersion blender out of the wedding present cupboard because you’re going to be doing a lot of chopping and mashing! You can also start to supplement finely pureed fruits and vegetables with bite-size pieces of bread, pasta shapes, and small amounts of protein from sources like eggs, pureed or minced meats and mashed beans. Check with your pediatrician on which soft cheeses are safe for babies to eat.
Homemade vs store-bought
The choice between homemade and store-bought baby food essentially comes down to personal preference. You don’t have to be a great cook to prepare your own baby food. The process can be surprisingly quick and easy, as well as affordable. In the very beginning, all you'll need is a fork to soften the fruit or vegetable. When your baby is ready to graduate to more complicated meals, there are a few products on the market that combine a steamer with a food processor to make whipping up your own recipes faster and more convenient.
Homemade food lets you control the ingredients, variety, texture, and freshness of your baby's meals. If you go this route, take extra care in chopping and mashing foods to the appropriate consistency. You can add a bit of water or formula to create a creamier texture.
For parents going the store-bought route, there are plenty of healthy – and convenient – baby food products on grocery store shelves. Whether you opt for an organic diet or not, you'll find an extensive variety of fruits, juices, vegetables, and dinner combinations. Variety will help your little one’s palate mature and hopefully make them less picky, which will greatly improve mealtime for you.