Starting Baby On Solid Foods: Do's And Don'ts

Parenting is full of good memories. One of the biggest moments in your life is the moment your baby starts eating solid foods. Once your baby has completed 6 months, it is the right time to introduce her to the world of solid foods. It is important to remember that baby’s milk continues to be more important than solids at this age. Always remember that you are helping your child set up a lifelong relationship with food.

Starting your baby on solid foods: Do's and don'ts

Always keep in mind the Do’s and Don’ts as you start to introduce solid foods.

Do start with the simplest of foods

The order in which foods are introduced does not matter for most babies but it is always good to start with rice water, fruit and vegetable purees. Simple foods like mashed banana, potato, pumpkin or a sweet potato are easily digestible. Food must be home cooked, soft, pureed, or mashed and easy to digest. Nurse or bottle feed your baby first and then offer your little one solids. 

Don’t start too early

You can start the solids once your baby is around 6 months old as this is considered the right age for weaning but it is always good to check with your pediatrician before you start any solid foods. Your baby needs to have good head and neck control as well as control over her ability to swallow. If your kid is not ready the first time and spits the food back then wait a week and then try again. Even if your baby is showing interest and is sitting up like a pro, don’t start before 6 months or start as per your doctor’s advice. Move beyond breastmilk to solid foods and keep your baby happy while doing it.

Read: Remember this when feeding your baby solids

Start solid foods safely

When you first introduce solid foods, always hold your kiddo upright in your lap and make her sit up straight and face forward. This will help her to swallow the food easily. Talk in a quiet, encouraging voice while you feed. Make sure to spoon-feed from a bowl, not from the jar of food unless your baby finishes it during that feeding. Feeding directly from the jar may introduce bacteria from your baby’s mouth to the spoon and back into the food, creating a food safety issue.

Don’t force feed

Your baby is smart enough to let you know if she wants to eat or not so it can be frustrating for you at times when she does not want to eat and you have gone through the trouble of making meals from scratch. Initially, your baby will only consume 1-2 tbsp once a day, do not force feed, give the little one some time to get used to it. If you push your little one to eat then it can make her dislike certain foods or, even worse, mealtime in general. Instead of forcing her to eat, try to include something which can be attractive like serving the food in variety of flavors and textures in colorful bowls.

Do change your routine

You have to amend your schedule to make your kiddo forget about breastfeeding. Distract her with fun activities during times when you’d typically be nursing. Take her to the park or let her play with toys.

Don’t delay introducing allergic foods

Foods like eggs, peanuts, nuts, sea food, soy, etc., should be introduced early and independent of each other. You will spot an allergic reaction immediately and identify the source more easily. It is essential to follow the three day rule. Be sure of introducing new foods one at a time and watch for an allergic reaction, such as hives, and if your baby is comfortable then you are good to introduce the next one. If your kid is at high risk due to a family history of food allergies then is it always advisable to consult your doctor first.

Also read: It is common for your baby to resist solid foods initially

Do offer a variety of foods

Expose your kiddo to a wide range of foods during weaning period.Try an array of fruits and vegetables, but don’t skimp on rice, pasta and various meats. This is the time to thwart a fussy eater. Do your best to make food fun and enjoyable. You can make the food in different and interesting shapes using a cutter or arrange food to resemble a face.

Feed your baby what everyone else is eating

Before you add any salt and sugar in your meals, set aside a portion for your little one. As you are weaning, feed your child a mashed-up version of what you have prepared for the family.This will get her used to eating what you have made for everyone else. Try to sit down as a family to eat and when your child is old enough to eat the same things as you, then dish them up a smaller serving of whatever you are having. 

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.