There is something very calming about babies. It must be the simplistic nature of their needs and desires that leave me feeling at ease regardless of whether they are happy or upset. At work you could always find me in the Infant Room during my breaks rolling around on the mats with the babies, filling hungry tummies, or holding them close until they fall asleep. It was my little moment of peace away from the troubles of learning how to share or take turns.

Spending so much time with the infants, you also get to know the parents quite well. We could spend hours exchanging information about how the baby’s day went, what adorable thing they did, and which milestones to look forward to. But the most eagerly asked question was, “When should I introduce solids to my baby and what can I feed them?”.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Parents may begin introducing solids to infants between ages 4-6 months. However, the introduction of solids before 6 months of age is unnecessary as there is no real nutritional benefit. In fact, exclusively drinking breast milk until about 6 months of age is preferable as breast milk has all the nutrients they require.

The signs your infant is ready for solids:

1. They have doubled their birth weight.
2. Weighs at least 13 pounds.
3. Is able to hold up their head steadily while sitting upright in a chair.
4. Can accept a spoonful of food without pushing it out of their mouth.
5. Begin showing clear interest in the food you eat.

These signs can show up anytime between 4-6 months but this does not mean that your child must start on their solids if they are still under 6 months.

Take your time. There’s no rush. Breast is best.

When you have decided to begin introducing solids, there are a few important rules to follow:

1. Never feed your baby solids (no matter how thin the puree) tilted back or lying down. It is very important that your child is able to sit upright with a steady head to prevent choking during feeding.
2. Do not put solids into a bottle no matter how thin the consistency. Not only does this give them mixed signals about milk and solids but infants drink from a bottle lying down and Rule#1 says: Never feed your baby solids tilted back or lying down to prevent choking.
3. Make sure to puree all foods very fine and thin out with breast milk or water. Don’t worry if the food tastes bland. Bland is a good thing for babies as they are introduced to the world of food.
4. Only introduce one food at a time and wait about 4 days between new foods so you can observe your child very closely for any allergic reactions such as hives, rashes, and welts on their skin. More serious reactions include swelling of the face/lip/tongue, vomiting/diarrhea, coughing/wheezing/difficulty breathing, or lack of consciousness in which you should call 911 immediately.
5. Don’t worry about giving them water with their solids until they are 6 months old. Infants get all the hydration they need from their milk until then. However, as the amount of solids increase, make sure you’re keeping track of how much liquids they are consuming to make sure they are drinking enough to stay hydrated and healthy.
6. Engage your child during meal times and keep distractions away. Toys or Television (which is NOT recommended before the age of 2) will result in distracted eating. Stanford News even had an article written about the studies done on childhood obesity that show children consume significantly more calories when they mindlessly eat while zoned out in front of the TV. It is true for infants as well and they end up with difficult eating habits as a result. Instead, engage them with songs, conversation (as awkward as a one-sided conversation may be), and even sign language.

Tips for feeding infants:

1. Bring the spoon to rest on their lip and let them seek it out themselves when introducing solids for the first time. This minimizes any choking risks from a sudden mouthful of food and allows them to explore the process of eating at their own pace.
2. Keep an eye out for signs of fullness. Babies will lean forwards towards the spoon, open their mouth, and reach out if they want to continue eating. Stop feeding them once they lose interest. They will close their mouth, turn their head or spit it out if they are done. It may feel frustrating and wasteful when they stop with only a few more bites left but it is better to teach them to stop when they are full. Otherwise it can lead to consistent overeating and obesity later in life. Note that if you are starting solids before 6 months of age they may still have the Tongue Thrust Reflex and consistently spit out their food, in which case they are not ready to start solids.
3. Start with only a few tablespoons of thin puree once or twice a day and very gradually build from there. Milk is going to be the most important even at 8 months so take it slow.
4. Expose your child to a variety of foods early on. An “acquired taste” isn’t just experienced by adults and infants may have their preferences but you don’t have to give in. Simply try again during other mealtimes and be patient. It may take as much as 15 times before they learn to enjoy it. The foods they are introduced to during the first year set the foundation for their eating habits and encouraging variety will mean a less picky toddler that’s more open to trying new things.
5. Once your baby has a more varied diet, be sure to vary their solids between foods that may cause constipation and those that relieve it.

First Foods:

Before you begin feeding your infant solids, be sure to consult your pediatrician to make sure your baby is ready to start.

1. Rice
   • White rice is easily digestible and a less likely to cause an allergic reaction. However, it is quite low in nutritional value and fiber and may resulting in constipation. Some babies may find it more difficult to digest than white rice but brown rice is a great alternative that also includes fiber and other nutrients lacking in white rice.
2. Avocado
   • Avocados are full of essential fats, vitamins and minerals while still being easily digestible. It is also a great no-cook easy to prepare food for babies.
3. Yam/Sweet Potato
   • Naturally sweet and delicious, these tubers are jam packed with vitamins and minerals making it a wonderful first choice for babies. It also has a good fiber content so you don’t even have to worry about constipation (just make sure they drink enough liquids).
4. Acorn/Butternut Squash
   • These winter squashes puree beautifully and are high in nutritional content. They are not too sweet and are a great addition to a baby’s diet.
5. Banana
   • Bananas are sweet, easily digestible and readily accepted by most babies. They are also very easy to prepare but be careful. Unripe bananas are difficult to digest and even ripe bananas contain pectin which hardens poop and can cause constipation in infants if eaten in excess.
6. Apple
   • While Apples may be delicious and full of beneficial vitamins and minerals, they also contain pectin and cause constipation in babies.
7. Pear
   • Pears are similar to apples in nutritional content but also providing relief from constipation and makes a great alternative.
8. Beef or Chicken
   • Babies do not require any additional protein in their diet at this age but if you wish to feed your child meat, I recommend that it is homemade. I have personally tried pureed meat for babies in jars out of curiosity and then promptly decided to make my own.
9. Prune
   • Should your baby suffer from constipation, prunes are a super powerful constipation reliever. Not too much at once though! I tried prune juice for the first time a few months ago (once again, out of curiosity) and I have never been more afraid of the effect a food may have on my digestive system.

Foods to AVOID:

1. Always consult with your pediatrician before introducing any new foods. Especially highly allergenic foods such as eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts. Nut butters are also too thick and become a choking hazard.
2. NEVER give your infant honey. Honey contains spores of a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum that can germinate in a baby’s immature digestive system and cause a potentially fatal illness known as Infant Botulism. While the toxin is heat sensitive the spores are difficult to kill so completely avoid feeding your child honey in any capacity for at least the first year. Symptoms of Infant Botulism include constipation, muscle weakness, trouble sucking, slack jaw, crying, and lethargy.
3. Do not add salt or sweeteners to your baby’s food. An infant’s system cannot handle too much sodium and sweeteners only train your baby to eat sweet which causes a slew of physical and behavioral problems as they get older. Keep the salt and sugar out!
4. Wait until your baby is much older before you consider giving giving them juice. Juice tend to be high in sugar content and lacks dietary fibers that help keep them full while taking up precious stomach space for solids and milk during feeding.
5. Cow milk and soy milk contain proteins that infants can’t digest yet and minerals that can damage their still-developing kidneys. They are not recommended for children under 12 months. Some infants are also unable to handle the lactose in milk and dairy products or are born allergic to the proteins and can become seriously ill. Consult with your pediatrician before switching.

The first few months of solid food before 6 months isn’t about eating for sustenance so much as learning and practicing how to eat. If you begin feeding them at 6 months, don’t worry if they’re not eating as much as you think they should for the first couple of weeks. They will begin eating more as they become more comfortable with eating. Milk will continue to be the most important thing your baby requires until about 8 months and as long as they’re still breast or bottle feeding well they’re getting all the nutrients they need.

Relax and enjoy the moment.