Are you confused about when you start feeding your baby solid foods? Well, if you are, then you are in the right place. Here is your complete guide to starting your baby on solid foods.
When You Should Start Feeding Solid Foods To Your Baby
All of us know you can't feed your baby solid foods right away. According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), you should wait at least six months before feeding solid foods. On the other hand, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, you can start feeding solid foods anywhere from 4 to 6 months.As a general rule of thumb, you should not start solid foods before four months. Here are a few reasons why:
- Can cause harm
- Increases risk of weight problems later on
- Increases risk of choking
- Increased risk of allergies
- Provides no benefit to the baby
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should wait too long. You can start feeding solid foods along with formula or breast milk. Doing so will help ease the transition.
Don't forget to get feeding bibs when you start feeding solid foods, otherwise, the entire situation may get incredibly messy.
How Can You Tell If Your Baby Is Ready For Solid Foods?
Babies also give cues to their behavior. It is up to you to understand these cues and give them what they need. Your baby will be ready for solid foods between five to six months.
However, here are a few other signs that show a baby is ready for solid foods:
- Can sit upright with support
- Does not have a tongue thrust instinct anymore
- Has good head control
- Baby is showing interest in trying new food
These are the top four things you should look out for when understanding if you should feed solid foods to your baby. Keep some baby silicone bibs ready during this period and see how your baby responds to trying new food.
What Solid Foods You Should Feed Your Baby
While it is essential to know when to start solid foods, it is also just as important to know what to feed. After all, you don’t want to start something too soon that might cause the risk of choking. The most common first solid foods are cereals.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should only stick to cereal. You can also feed other solid foods such as fruits, meats, and vegetables. However, wait at least two or three days before introducing a new food.
Doing so will make it easier to detect any allergies. Signs of this include diarrhea, runny eyes or nose, bloating, gas, etc.
Final Words
When you start feeding solid foods to your baby, don’t forget to invest in feeding bibs. They will save the baby’s clothes from getting ruined and help make their solid food experience better. So, if your baby is above four months old, you can start feeding them solid foods with breast milk or formula for an easier transition.
