Introducing Solid Foods
Introducing your baby to their first solid foods is a major, exciting milestone! But it can also come with a lot of questions. When should I introduce solids? What should my baby’s first food be? How do I even get started?! Don’t worry! We’re here to answer those frequently asked questions and help you feel confident when it comes to solid foods. You’ll be saying: “Open wide! Here comes the airplane!” in no time!
One of the most frequently asked questions about introducing solid foods is how to know when your baby is ready. There are a few things to keep in mind when answering that question. First, the current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guideline states that breastmilk (or formula) should be your infant’s sole source of nutrition for about 6 months. So it’s not until the 6 month mark that most parents introduce solid foods to their babies based on this recommendation.
But there are a few other readiness cues to take note of as well:
Has your baby lost their tongue thrust reflex? This will allow your baby to move food from the front of their mouth back to their throat to swallow. If the tongue thrust reflex is still strong, you will notice that your baby pushes food out of their mouth instead.
Does your baby have good head control? Babies should be able to sit unassisted in a chair and keep their head upright before starting solid foods. If your baby does not have good head control yet, it’s best to wait.
Is your baby interested in solid food? You might have noticed your baby tracking - and even reaching for - the food that you are eating. This is a sign that they are becoming interested in eating as well. But don’t worry if your baby shows no interest yet - some babies just aren’t ready at the 6 month mark.
Has your baby doubled their birth weight (or weighs at least 13 pounds)? This is another general guideline for determining if your baby is ready to start solid foods in addition to their age.
And remember: these are just general guidelines. Some babies show no interest in solid foods at the 6 month - or even the 7 or 8 month - mark and that’s perfectly fine. Other families will choose to introduce solid foods earlier based on specific needs for their infant. Also perfectly fine. This is your baby and you get to decide what’s best for them!
Just remember, that even after introducing solids, breastmilk or formula should still be your baby’s primary source of nutrition. Food before one is just for fun!
So now that you’ve determined your baby is ready to begin solids, what else do you need to know. We’ll highlight a few of the most frequently asked questions we hear from our clients below.
What is the difference between purees and finger foods?
One question new parents have is whether to start their baby with pureed food or finger foods. And the right answer to that question is: there is no right answer! This really comes down to parent preference and also the age of your baby. If you are ready to begin solids at 6 months (or perhaps even earlier), your baby may not have a developed pincer grasp yet and therefore cannot easily feed themselves finger foods, so purees may be the better option. Or you may choose to wait to introduce solids when you really feel like your baby is in control of what they put into their mouth, so waiting to begin with finger foods makes more sense. There is no wrong answer here - just follow your baby’s lead and go with the method that makes the most sense for your family.
What is the best first food to introduce when starting solids?
Prior to the most recent AAP Guideline that was released in 2012, many parents started their babies with grains like rice cereal or oatmeal as their very first food. But today, there is no evidence to suggest that grains add any real nutritional value to an infant’s diet and need to be the first food. Instead, most pediatricians now recommend starting your baby with fruits or vegetables. Foods like bananas, avocado, carrots, squash, pears, or apples all make great first foods. And there is also no evidence to suggest that vegetables should be introduced first. Starting with fruits will not make your baby a little sugar fiend! Breastmilk naturally tastes sweet, so it’s a flavor they are used to. Starting with fruits is not going to turn your baby away from vegetables for life.
How much solids should my baby be eating?
It’s best to always start small. Prior to twelve months of age, your baby should be getting the majority of their nutritional needs met by either breastmilk or formula, so there is no need to give them a ton of solid foods. Instead, always offer the breast or bottle first and then offer solids. When you first begin, just a teaspoon or two is enough to introduce your baby to new tastes and textures. Then you can gradually begin to increase the amount and meal times. Normally somewhere between the ages of 9-12 months, most babies are eating three “meals” a day and also a snack or two. But always after breastfeeding or bottle-feeding first.
What do I need to know about allergens?
Unlike a few decades ago, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology now recommends giving babies common allergens as soon as they begin solids. Foods like peanuts, eggs, dairy (not cow’s milk but things like cheese or yogurt), wheat, and shellfish are all okay to introduce at the 6 month mark. But whenever you introduce a brand new food to your baby, not just an allergen, it’s important to control the introduction and take note of any signs of an allergic reaction. Introduce one new food at a time, for several days, to determine if your baby has a reaction. If you introduce too many new foods at once, it will be hard to determine which one your baby reacted to if there is an allergy. Rash, redness around the mouth or lips, hives, or swelling can all be signs of an allergic reaction. Call your baby’s pediatrician right away if you notice anything like that.
Sometimes introducing solids can be stressful. Try to relax and remember that this time in your baby’s life is all about just giving them an opportunity to experience new tastes and textures. Some babies are reluctant to try solids and may not be interested at all at 6 months of age. That is okay. Breastmilk or formula will still be the primary source of their nutrition for the first year of life. Go slowly and have fun with it!