Feeding Solid Foods to Babies

Baby's digestive system needs time to mature.

When your baby begins to eat solid foods, try to make feeding time a relaxing time. Don't try to feed other hungry children at the same time

Although many parents are eager for their babies to start eating solid foods, most doctors advise parents not to start feeding their babies solid foods until they are at least three months old. Some doctors want parents to wait until six months to start babies on solids.

Don't start too early…

Feeding babies solid foods before three months may result in problems like allergic reactions or too much weight gain. When babies start eating solid foods too early, they may fill up on food and not drink enough milk. This could mean they will grow slowly because they aren't getting enough protein. Breast milk or formula provides all of the nutrients in the proper form, and it's all most infants need for the first few months.

Nutritious cereal first…

Baby's first food is usually cereal—rice cereal, barley or oatmeal. Start by feeding one or two tablespoons of cereal mixed with formula. Feed this mixture with a spoon, not from a bottle or infant feeder. Babies need to learn to eat from a spoon. Boxed cereals are more nutritious and less expensive than those packaged in jars, so start your baby on boxed cereal.

Next, vegetables and fruits…

Vegetables and fruits will probably be the next foods your baby will eat, and you can use those you prepare at home or you can buy commercial products. Offer only one new food to baby at a time. Try it for three or four days at a time so you can see if an allergic reaction develops. Allergic reactions include hives, vomiting or diarrhea. Fruit juices may be started with fruits, but many doctors advise your waiting until your baby is about a year old to start orange juice or other citrus products.

Meats are usually started after vegetables and fruits, and these, too, may be prepared at home or bought. Choose single ingredient commercial meats, not combinations, for your baby's first meats. Items like chicken and noodles or vegetables and beef have less protein than single meat products .

When your baby begins to eat solid foods, try to make feeding time a relaxing time. Don't try to feed other hungry children at the same time. You might want to give baby a little formula or breast milk so he'll be hungry, but not starving. After the other children are fed, feed the baby solids and finish with more milk.