Newborn babies are still not able to handle solid foods, so the only thing to sustain the necessary nutrients they need is from milk, whether breast milk or formula. It is recommended by medical doctors that babies should be fed with milk for a longer time, but introducing them solid foods should start a few months after they are delivered.

When can I feed my baby solid foods?

Babies at 4 to 6 months old should be ready for solid foods. While they are younger, they are only capable of pushing their tongues against the food they are eating and still cannot be able to swallow the food they are introduced with. But by the time they are 4 months, they usually stop this tongue-reflex as they start to become more active. This should be the best time for you to introduce them with solid foods.

What should I introduce?

Since solid foods are new to them, you should first introduce foods that can be easily digested such as single-grain cereals or fruits and vegetables. Feeding with solid foods should not be abrupt. It should be given gradually, starting off with adding more liquid to it first and then slowly adding more solids to thicken up the consistency as your baby begins to adapt with it.

There are baby cereals to which you can introduce to your baby, whether premixed or dry, where you can put milk or water, whichever you prefer. Both of these cereals offer the extra nutrients just right for your baby’s growth and development so it is necessary to make sure that the cereals you bought are made especially for babies.

After you have introduced his first solid meal and see that it was a success, you may now begin to introduce to him even more types of foods. And as he develops his tummy, you may begin to serve him meats and veggies, which contain more nutrients that fruits and cereals.

How much should I give them?

Slowly introduce it to them by giving them 1 or 2 teaspoons of solid food a day, and increasing it up if they give a positive feedback with the food.

What should I avoid?

It is not advisable though that one should offer their children eggs, nuts, cow’s milk and fish during the first year due to possible allergic reactions. Though not specifically eggs and fish, you should also monitor you baby’s reaction to the foods that you have given to him. If you have noticed something different since you have given the food, consult his doctor immediately.

This is an exciting time for both you and your baby, so if he is already gettign used to solid foods, you can try giving him various combinations of food, veggies, meat and cereal each day.