Parents often struggle with which solid foods should be introduced to baby.
Parents should begin feeding their baby solid foods when he shows signs of being ready for solids, rather than simply by the calendar. Some babies will thrive solely on breast milk until 6 months of age, while others will show signs of needing additional sustenance before then. When weight gain is not continuing at the desired rate, parents may start solid foods as early as 3 months. Adding solid foods to the baby's diet should be done under the guidance of your pediatrician.
Introduce
Your baby should have enough strength to hold her head up before you introduce solid foods. She should be developing the ability to move her mouth in a chewing manner and may be showing signs of interest in your food. Introduce one new food at a time so that you can easily monitor her for reactions and allergies. Wait two to three days before introducing another new food. Babies still require breast milk or formula until they are at least a year old.
Grain Cereals
It is a good idea to start with rice cereals that are gluten-free and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Begin with a semi-liquid cereal to slowly introduce textures, remembering that baby will need to adjust slowly to the added "bulk" of solid foods. Baby cereals should be iron-fortified, as iron helps with many aspects of baby's development. Once soft cereals are mastered and baby has sufficient teeth to chew, hard cereals that can be picked up by hand will help baby with coordination while providing sustenance.
Fruits and Veggies
It is a good idea to start with vegetables before fruits. The natural sugars occurring in fruits may readily become a favorite for baby, and he may then shy away from nutrient-rich vegetables. Cook vegetables until they are tender and then puree. By doing this yourself, you can ensure that your baby is getting nothing but the natural food. Some vegetables to try include peas, carrots and sweet potatoes. You should serve them separately to start and then you can begin mixing them together. Applesauce, canned peaches and pears (cut finely), mangoes, sliced nectarines, peeled and sliced apples or pears, as well as cut-up or mashed bananas make for a variety of textures and flavors.
Proteins
After about 9 months of age, you can start to introduce meats that are cooked and pureed. Between 9 and 12 months, dependent on your child, you may begin to introduce finely chopped meats. Meats to try include chicken, beef, boneless fish or finely cut-up pork. You can add gravies or unsalted sauces to help soften dry meats. Avoid egg whites until your child is at least a year old and avoid shellfish or nuts until she is at least 2, particularly if there is a family history of allergies.
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