Nutrición infantil

Introducing Solid Foods

It can be a little scary (and messy!) to teach your baby how to eat solid foods. Babies are usually ready to start eating solid foods at 6 months of age. Watch for signs that your baby is developmentally ready to learn to eat solid foods.

● Sits up alone or with support
● Can control their head and neck
● Shows interest in food (watches you eat, reaches for food, or opens their mouth when you offer food)
● Swallows food rather than pushes it back out onto their chin
● Brings objects to their mouth
● Tries to grasp small objects, such as toys or food
● Seems hungrier, especially after breast feeding or having a bottle

What foods should I introduce first?

As babies grow, they need more nutrients that solid foods help provide. You can start with a fortified infant cereal (oats, barley, rice, and multigrain) mixed with breast milk or formula or soft pieces of food that your baby can grasp or pick up.
● Let your baby try 1 new food at a time. This helps you see if your child has any food allergies.
● Wait 3-5 days between each new food. There is new evidence that shows this may be overly cautious for most babies, but if your family has a history of food allergies or your baby has severe eczema or other food allergies, it’s still a good idea to wait at least 3 days in between offering new foods
● It can take time for your baby to get used to solid foods. Start small, with only 1 to 2 tablespoons of food.
● Give foods that are soft or very smooth in texture so it’s easier for your baby to swallow. Your baby might cough, gag, or spit up at first. You can give them thicker, or more textured or lumpy foods once they get better at eating.
● Let your baby use their fingers or a small baby spoon to eat with. You can help show them how. Don’t add cereal or other food to a baby’s bottle because it can lead to choking or too much weight gain.

Babies should not have cow’s milk, soy drinks, fruit juices, or honey until they are at least 12 months old. Other pasteurized cow’s milk products, such as yogurt or cheese, are safe to try before 12 months. It’s also important to not give your baby foods that can be choking hazards until they are able to chew and swallow well.

What should I do if I’m worried about food allergies?

Some foods are more likely to cause allergic reactions than others, especially if your baby has eczema, a known food allergy, or if close family members have allergies.
Potentially allergenic foods include:
● Cow’s milk products
● Eggs
● Fish and shellfish
● Tree nuts and peanuts
● Wheat, soy, and sesame

Most babies can be offered potentially allergenic foods starting around 6 months of age, when other solid foods are introduced. Introduce these foods when your baby is healthy and at home so you can watch for any signs of an allergy (such as hives, vomiting, swelling, or trouble breathing). If your baby is at a higher risk for food allergies, talk with their doctor before starting solids. They’ll help you know when the best time to introduce potentially allergenic foods is and what to watch for in case of an allergic reaction.

Do I need to stop breastfeeding when my baby starts to eat solid foods?

No! You can introduce baby foods around 6 months and keep breastfeeding as long as you and your baby would like. Breast milk should be a primary source of nutrition for your baby’s first year of life, even as you introduce solid foods. Most of your child’s nutrition should come from solid foods after 1-year-old. Breast milk still provides many benefits but should not be your child’s main source of nutrition after the first year.

Don’t get discouraged!

It can take several tries and a lot of patience for your baby to learn to eat new foods. Don’t get discouraged! It’s OK if your baby only eats a few bites of food. Ask your child’s doctor or your local WIC clinic for help, or if you’re not sure what foods to give your baby.