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Top parenting stories this week
Introducing Solid Foods to Baby
From when to start to what to serve, here's your guide to giving your infant solid food.
by: Sydney Loney
In This Article
Solid Foods and Textures
- Wait until your baby hits the six-month mark before introducing solid food.
- Your infant may be ready to try solids if she can sit up and shows an interest in what you're eating.
- Wait three days after introducing each new food before trying another.
- Talk to your doctor before starting foods that could trigger a reaction, such as milk and eggs.
- When introducing textures, experiment with ripe fruit and soft, cooked vegetables, pasta and meats–all sliced into pieces no larger than 1/4- to 1/2-inch.
hether you're perusing jars of purée in the grocery store or planning to mash up some freshly cooked sweet potato, here's what you should know before giving your baby her first spoonful of solid food.
When to start
Most experts recommend waiting until a baby hits the six-month mark before serving solid food, but every infant grows and develops at a different rate, says registered dietitian Joanne Saab. "Up to a year of age, the average child is still getting most nutrition from a liquid source," she says. "You just don't want to wait too long, or your child may develop a texture aversion." Here are some signs your infant may be ready to try solids:
- she can sit on her own and control her neck
- she no longer seems satisfied with breastfeeding or bottle alone, is hungry every two hours, or is no longer sleeping well
- she starts showing an interest in what you're eating
- she pulls her face away during feeding to show she's had enough
