First Baby Food.

When to start solid foods?

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The first baby food is usually introduced at the age of 4 to 6 months . Whether your baby is ready to handle infant solid foods depends on more than his age. Every baby develops at a different pace. How can you tell your baby is ready to start eating solid food?

 

Signs that your baby is ready to start its First Baby Food.

• When a baby can sit with support and hold their necks steady.
  
• Swallow the food that you put in their mouth rather than pushing it out again.
  
• Show interest in food by opening their mouth and lean forward.

 

 

 

When to start baby food?

Most babies are ready to start their first baby food between 4 and 6 months of age.
Babies under 4 months should not be fed solid food unless it is allowed by your doctor.

When your baby is developmentally not ready yet to start solids he will show his disinterest by,

• Sealing his lips.
• Turning away.
• Pushing food out of his mouth.
• Pushing the spoon away.

If baby refuses food leave it for a week or two and than try again.

 

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If your babies are not ready for their first baby food forcing them may lead to chocking on the food, developing food allergies or intolerances and drinking less breast milk or formula which is so important for their growth and development.On the other hand delayed introduction of solid foods may cause:

• Your child to become malnourished
  
• Not growing and developing normally.
  
• Not learning to eat solids properly.
  
• Develop iron deficiency anemia.

 

Introducing the first baby food.

It is important you continue feeding breast milk or infant formula while you slowly introduce new foods one by one. Introducing new foods one at a time makes it easier to find out if your baby is allergic or doesn’t accept a certain food.

First baby food 4 to 6 months. Start at 4 to 6 months with baby cereal (iron-fortified). Rice cereal is recommended because it is easily digested and least likely to cause an allergic reaction. Prepare 1 teaspoon of baby cereal with 4 or 5 teaspoons of milk (You can use expressed breast milk). In the beginning try to make a smooth cereal so is easy for your baby to swallow. Give this first once a day and when baby eats it well you can give it twice a day. After the rice cereal oatmeal and barley can be introduced. Wheat cereal should not be given to babies under 8 months of age because they are more likely to cause an allergic reaction.

First baby food 6-8 months. When your baby is eating his cereal well you can start giving home made or ready made ( in a jar) vegetables and fruits. There is a huge choice of ready made baby food such as green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, green peas, spinach, beets, apple sauce, bananas and apricots. Or if you prefer you can make your own baby food with fresh fruits and vegetables processing them to the right texture.

First baby food 8-12 months. By 8 months your baby will be eating cereal, fruits and vegetables and is ready for lean meat, poultry and boneless fin fish. Remember to add one new food at the time. At the age of 8 months you can offer baby finger foods like pieces of soft fruit, pasta shapes or graham crackers. Finger foods help your baby develop the skill of eating on his own. Eggs can be introduced to infants older than 8 months. Only give the egg yolk because egg white is known to cause allergic reactions. After your baby's first birthday he can have the egg white as well.

 

 

Never leave your baby alone with food. Babies can break of pieces of food with their front teeth. But because they have no molars yet and are not able to chew these pieces they can become a choking hazard.

Wait for about a week before you introduce new foods. If your baby doesn’t like the taste of a certain food try to give it again after a few weeks.

 

Keep an eye on your baby for reactions when you are introducing new foods.
Reactions to food can be:

• Diahrrea or vomiting
  
• Rashes or hives.
  
• Wheezing or coughing.

With severe allergic reactions causing breathing difficulties or shock call your doctor or 911 immediately.