Things to know about Introducing Solid Foods to your Baby

When it comes to babies’ nutrition, introducing solid foods to their diet is an important step. But you need to consider various things when it comes to giving solid food to your baby.

Here are some important things you need to keep in mind when giving your baby the first bite of solid foods.

What Solid Foods to Give Your Child First?

Your child can start eating solid foods at the age of six months. When he/she is seven months old, your infant can have several foods. Some of the foods to include in your baby’s diet are fruits, vegetables, yoghurt, grains, cheeses, meat, other proteins, and infant cereals.

If your child is okay with infant cereals, many baby food brands offer the best cereal for babies. Make sure you introduce your child to fortified cereals, such as barley, rice, oat, wheat, or multi-grain. If you are not sure, make sure to consult a paediatrician.

How to Introduce Solid Foods to Your Baby?

When your child is ready to eat solid foods, make sure to choose foods that provide your child with sufficient minerals and vitamins. But let your child try only one ingredient first. It lets you see if your baby faces any issues with that food like food allergies. Just wait for 3 to 5 days before introducing each new food. Over time, your child will be enjoying various foods.

How to Prepare Solid Food for Your baby?

Begin with solid foods that are easy to mash, strain or puree and also smooth in texture. It may take your baby some time to adapt to new food textures. Your child may gap, cough or spit initially. But as your infant’s eating skills develop, you can introduce lumpier and thicker foods.

You must also know that some foods have potential choking hazards. So, feed your child with foods that have the right texture for his/her development. For preventing choking, ensure to prepare foods that don’t need chewing and easily dissolve with saliva. Try to feed small portions while encouraging the baby to eat slowly. Always pay attention when your child is eating.

Tips to prepare solid foods for your baby:

• Mix and mash cooked grains and cereals with breast milk, water or formula to make them smooth for easy swallowing.
• Hard vegetables and fruits like carrots and apples need cooking before mashing them.
• Puree or mash fruits, vegetables, and other foods until they become smooth.
• Keep cooking food until it is soft enough to mash with a spoon.
• Remove seeds or hard pits from fruits. Further, cut fruits into small pieces.
• Remove the skin, fat, and bones of meat, poultry and fish before you start cooking.
• Cut cylindrical foods like sausage, hot dogs, and string cheese into thin strips instead of round pieces to prevent sticking in the airway.
• Cut spherical foods (such as berries, grapes, tomatoes, and cherries) into fine pieces.
• Finely grind, cook or mash whole grains like barley, wheat, rice, and other grains.

Conclusion

You can introduce several solid food items to your baby. But you need to know when to give them and how to prepare them at home. You can even search for baby food online to find the best cereal options for your infants.

However, it may take 8–10 tries or more before your baby adjusts to new foods. So, be patient and also consult a paediatrician if needed.

Also, Visit here: The 10 Best Foods for your Child