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When do Babies get to taste the real stuff?

October 23, 2008

Introducing Your baby to Solid Foods
Every parent seems dying to get his or her baby started on “real food”. It’s a natural instinct to want to feed your baby, and watch them experience new tastes and textures. But they have a lifetime to eat, so try to be patient and look for some clear signs from them, as well as advice from the baby’s doctor, about when to start the transition to solid foods.

Is your baby ready for solid foods?
There are two issues here: one is physical readiness, the other is developmental readiness. Physical readiness is the maturation of the intestinal tract, the digestive ability of the baby, and the baby’s immune system. Babies cannot digest certain foods easily, and their liver, kidneys and GI tract cannot handle certain proteins easily. Furthermore, their immune system is on high alert and early feeding can lead to a potential increase in food allergies or intolerances. Remember, Breast milk or formula is nutritionally a complete meal for you newborn until at least four months if not longer. Rushing her to try new foods will only increase her potential indigestion, sensitivity and irritability.
Developmental readiness implies the ability of the child to coordinate the “suck and swallow” reflexes required to move solid food down the esophagus. He also needs to be able to sit with support and have good head control in order to eat solid foods safely.

Signs that you baby is ready:
• Is your baby sitting up with his head well controlled in his seat?
• Does she seem to watch everything you eat with great interest, even opening her mouth as if asking for a bite?
• Do you or your family members have any food-related allergies?
• Does your baby’s doctor agree that the baby is healthy and ready to start?
What to serve when
• Most people start with baby cereal. Mix 1 teaspoon of iron-fortified baby cereal with 4 to 5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula. I recommend starting with oatmeal although most books will tell you rice cereal. Just remember to be sure it is a single-grain cereal. Be patient. If your baby isn’t interested, wait a week or two and try again.
• Add pureed vegetables and fruits. Once your baby gets the hang of feeding from a spoon and not a bottle, begin to introduce vegetables and fruits. Offer single-ingredient foods at first, and wait at least 5 days before between each new food because food reactions can take up to one week to emerge.
• Finger foods. By 10 months, most babies can master chopped finger foods, such as soft fruits, steamed or boiled vegetables, or well-cooked pasta. Hummus is also an excellent source of Zinc and is soft and easy to digest.

What to Avoid before Age 1
• Cow’s milk: cow’s milk can lead to iron deficiency anemia because it irritates the lining of an infant’s stomach and causes microscopic bleeding.
• Citrus can cause a painful diaper rash,
• Honey can cause a serious illness known as botulism.
• Choking Hazards: whole grapes, hot dogs and nuts

Posted by NatalieGeary | Filed Under Dr Geary 

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