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Infant Feeding: Starting Solids

Learn when and how to introduce solid foods to your infant's diet, including recommended first foods and important safety considerations.

Introducing solid foods is an exciting milestone in your baby's development. This guide will help you navigate the transition from milk to solids, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and your little one.

When to Start Solid Foods

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months of age [1]. However, every baby develops at their own pace. Look for these signs of readiness:

  1. Good head and neck control
  2. Ability to sit up with little or no support
  3. Loss of tongue-thrust reflex
  4. Showing interest in food when others are eating
  5. Seeming hungry after a full day's feeding of breast milk or formula [2]

First Foods to Introduce

When starting solids, it's important to introduce iron-rich foods. Good options include:

  1. Iron-fortified single-grain cereals
  2. Pureed meats
  3. Pureed legumes (beans, lentils)
  4. Iron-rich vegetables (spinach, broccoli)

After iron-rich foods, you can introduce a variety of fruits and vegetables [3].

For safe and nutritious baby food options, check our guide to the best first foods for babies.

How to Introduce Solid Foods

  1. Start with a small amount, about 1-2 teaspoons
  2. Feed with a small spoon, not in a bottle
  3. Introduce one new food at a time, waiting 3-5 days before trying another
  4. Watch for any signs of allergic reactions
  5. Gradually increase the amount and variety of food

Feeding Methods

There are two main approaches to introducing solids:

  1. Traditional Spoon-Feeding: Offering pureed foods on a spoon
  2. Baby-Led Weaning: Providing soft, finger-sized pieces of food for baby to self-feed

Both methods can be effective. Choose the one that works best for you and your baby [4].

For baby-led weaning tools, visit our baby-led weaning essentials guide.

Foods to Avoid

Certain foods should be avoided in the first year due to choking hazards or other risks:

  1. Honey (risk of botulism)
  2. Cow's milk as a drink (can be used in cooking)
  3. Unpasteurized foods
  4. High-mercury fish
  5. Added salt or sugar
  6. Choking hazards like whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, and hot dogs [5]

Maintaining Milk Feeds

Remember that breast milk or formula should remain the primary source of nutrition until 12 months of age. Solid foods complement, not replace, milk feeds during the first year.

Creating a Positive Feeding Environment

  1. Eat together as a family when possible
  2. Create a calm, distraction-free environment
  3. Allow your baby to explore foods with their hands
  4. Never force-feed
  5. Be patient and persistent - it may take several tries for a baby to accept a new food

Safety Considerations

  1. Always supervise your baby during meals
  2. Ensure your baby is sitting upright when eating
  3. Avoid propping bottles
  4. Be aware of common allergens (e.g., eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat)
  5. Discuss the introduction of allergenic foods with your pediatrician, especially if there's a family history of allergies [6]

When to Seek Help

Consult your pediatrician if:

  • Your baby shows no interest in solid foods by 7-8 months
  • You suspect a food allergy
  • Your baby has persistent trouble swallowing or frequently gags on food
  • You have concerns about your baby's growth or nutrition

Remember, every baby is unique and may progress differently. Trust your instincts and work closely with your pediatrician to ensure your baby's nutritional needs are met.

#InfantFeeding #StartingSolids #BabyNutrition #ComplementaryFeeding #BabyDevelopment

Note: This guide provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician for personalized guidance on your baby's nutrition and feeding.

Sources

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Starting Solid Foods. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Starting-Solid-Foods.aspx

  2. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Complementary feeding. https://www.who.int/health-topics/complementary-feeding

  3. Fewtrell, M., Bronsky, J., Campoy, C., Domellöf, M., Embleton, N., Fidler Mis, N., Hojsak, I., Hulst, J. M., Indrio, F., Lapillonne, A., & Molgaard, C. (2017). Complementary Feeding: A Position Paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 64(1), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000001454

  4. Cox, A. M., Taylor, R. W., Haszard, J. J., Beck, K. L., von Hurst, P. R., Conlon, C. A., Te Morenga, L. A., Daniels, L., McArthur, J., Paul, R., McLean, N. H., Jones, E. A., Katiforis, I., Brown, K. J., Gash, M., Rowan, M., Fleming, E. A., Jupiterwala, R., Bruckner, B. R., & Heath, A. M. (2024). Baby food pouches and Baby-Led Weaning: Associations with energy intake, eating behaviour and infant weight status. Appetite, 192, 107121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107121

  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-to-introduce-solid-foods.html

  6. Greer, F. R., Sicherer, S. H., Burks, A. W., COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION, & SECTION ON ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY (2019). The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Hydrolyzed Formulas, and Timing of Introduction of Allergenic Complementary Foods. Pediatrics, 143(4), e20190281. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0281