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Top parenting stories this week
Introducing Solid Foods — Beyond the Basics
Learn when to add extra meals and introduce new foods.
by: Nancy Ripton
In This Article
Solids
- Start by introducing one solid food once a day and increase to two feedings as your baby gets used to new textures and flavors.
- Start with a few spoonfuls and don't worry too much about quantity–breast milk or formula will remain your baby's main source of nutrition until he's a year old.
- By age one your baby should be eating three solid meals a day.
- Wait until the one-year mark to feed your baby dairy.
hen it comes to introducing solids details like when to start new foods and how much to give your baby can be confusing. Here's what you need to know:
Start With One Feeding a Day
Experts recommend starting solids at six months of age and introducing new foods one at a time to ease digestion and help you detect potential allergies. "When you first start solids, try once a day," says Dr. Jennifer Shu. "As your baby gets used to the new textures and flavors, you can increase feedings to twice a day."
Depending on the baby, this can take a few days or weeks. Work towards a goal of three solid meals a day and four (or more) breastfeeding sessions. How often you breastfeed will depend on the amount of solids your baby eats. Ideally, your baby should eat three solid meals a day by the time he turns one, or when he is only going down for one daily nap.
