Starting solids TLDR:

• Consult your our pediatrition before starting solid foods
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding as foods are introduced until at least 12 months of age​​.
• For parents who can't or choose not to breastfeed, formula feeding is a completely valid and nutritious alternative.
• Avoid: Juice, Cow's Milk, and Honey for the first 12 months
• Introducing solids is less about immediate nutritional needs and more about familiarizing your baby with different tastes and textures, as well as developing chewing and swallowing skills.

Understanding the Right Time

• Age Factor: The ideal time to start solid foods is around 6 months. This aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for about the first six months, followed by introducing complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding​​.
• Physical Readiness: Look for signs like your baby being able to sit with good head control, showing interest in food, and being able to move food from a spoon to their throat​​.

First Foods and Nutritional Considerations

• Iron-Fortified Cereals: A good starting point due to their high iron content, crucial for infants around 6 months old. Mix with breast milk or formula to start with a runny consistency​​.
• Vegetables and Fruits: Gradually introduce single-ingredient pureed vegetables and fruits. Wait three to five days between introducing new foods to monitor for any allergic reactions​​.
• Iron and Zinc: These are important nutrients in the second half of your baby's first year, found in pureed meats and iron-fortified cereal​​.

Introducing Allergens and Dealing with Refusal

• Allergenic Foods: Introducing foods like peanuts, eggs, dairy, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish early on is recommended and may even help prevent allergies. However, always do this under controlled conditions, especially if there's a family history of food allergies​​.
  • Watch for Reactions: Look out for signs of allergies, such as rashes, diarrhea, or vomiting.
  • High-Allergen Foods: Foods like peanuts, eggs, and fish should be introduced gradually and in small amounts, following your pediatrician’s guidance.
• Dealing with Refusal: It's common for babies to initially reject new foods. Don't force it; try again later. Consistent exposure over time can help​​.

What not to do: Juice, Cow's Milk, and Honey

• Juice: It’s recommended not to give juice to babies until after age 1, as it's not as nutritious as whole fruit and can contribute to weight problems and tooth decay​​.
• Cow's Milk and Honey: Avoid these before age 1. Cow's milk doesn’t meet an infant’s nutritional needs and could increase the risk of iron deficiency. Honey might contain spores causing infant botulism​​.

Mealtime Tips

• Safe and Enjoyable Environment: Ensure your baby is seated and buckled in a high chair. Encourage them to explore and play with food.
• Introduce Utensils and Cups: Start teaching your baby to use a spoon and introduce a cup around 9 months.
• Avoid Overfeeding: Follow your baby’s cues to know when they’ve had enough. Don’t force extra bites.

Introducing New Foods: Best Practices

• One at a Time: Introduce one new food every 3-5 days to monitor for allergies.
• Texture and Consistency: Start with thin, pureed foods and gradually move to thicker textures as your baby becomes more comfortable.

Balancing Solids and Milk

• Breastmilk or Formula is Still Key: Solids complement, but don’t replace, breastmilk or formula in the first year. You can also mix breastmilk into formula but be careful when freezing it. (more here)
• Feeding Schedules: Introduce solid foods after breast or formula feeding when your baby is not too hungry. (our week-by-week schedule)

Making Mealtime Positive

• Encourage Exploration: Allow your baby to touch and play with their food.
• Be Patient and Flexible: Some babies take longer to warm up to new foods.

Introducing solids is a crucial phase in your baby’s development. It should be approached with patience, observation, and consistency. Always consult your pediatrician for personalized advice, especially regarding allergies and specific nutritional needs.

Learn about the signs to look for before starting solids here: