How to get your baby to eat solid food is an issue many parents struggle with. Although babies vary depending on how they develop there are some general guidelines to consider. Consider when the right time to introduce solids and then utilize specific techniques to make the transition as smooth as possible
Most health experts believe a baby should be at least six months old before they are given solid food as well as the milk they usually have. If you have chosen to breastfeed your child then it is best to do this until he or she is six months old. After that time period breast milk no longer provides your baby with all the nutrients it requires such as iron. If your baby has been bottle-fed, you should give them formula milk for their first six months. This is unless you have been advised by a doctor or health professional to give them different milk.
It is much safer at six months old to introduce the baby to solids. There is less chance of them catching an infection from their food, as their digestive systems are more mature and it also decreases their chances of having a bad reaction to food as their immune system is more developed at six months immune system is stronger
Don’t give your child any food they might have a bad reaction to, if you choose to introduce solids at this point. Cows milk and dairy products, fish and shellfish, citrus fruits and juices and anything with gluten in them are not advisable and have been reported to cause negative reactions from babies who have eaten them at this stage.
When introducing solids it’s wise to start with easily digestible food s such as mashed or pureed vegetables. You could offer your baby vegetables like carrot, Swede, potato or sweet potato which have been mashed or pureed. They can also be offered fruits which have been mashed or pureed, like mango, pear, banana or cooked apple. To give your child more fibre you can offer them baby rice, cornmeal or maize by mixing it in with some of their milk.
A good way to make changing over to solids a great deal easier is by giving them new foods in the middle of their usual feeds. Choose a time and situation where you and your baby are both relaxed and calm. Also, when dealing with hot foods that have been cooked make sure everything has been stirred well and is at a temperature suitable for them to eat it. If needs be use the inside of your wrist to check temperatures
It can take quite a while for your baby to adjust to the different tastes. At first they may be tempted to reject and spit them out. Have patience and offer the same food again during a future feed. If that doesn’t happen, you can try masking the taste of the food, by making it bland. Do this by adding few drops of milk to the food.
To begin with it will appear like the baby isn’t eating enough, but it helps to be patient during this time. Remember that they are learning to eat as they go along. As the child’s mouth begins moving more from side to side and the chewing actions become more obvious, add less milk and water to their food, to make it lumpier and chunkier. This will let them manipulate food with their gums and teeth and help them to get used to swallowing. Once they have become used to the new foods add more. Make sure that you also raise the amount of times they eat solid food during a day. By the seventh month they should have solid food up to three times per day.
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