Baby Care: First Year

Lesson 6: Nutrition: Introducing Solid Foods

Your baby will be ready to try solids, like all development, according to her own schedule. Generally, this is between four and six months of age when her tongue movements, swallowing skills, and intestines are ready. She will also be getting her first teeth, and she will be able to sit in a high chair at the table with you. She will watch you eat, and may reach for your food. In this lesson, we will discuss her first feeding, and what and how to feed her during her early eating stage from around six to nine months, and during her later finger food stage from around nine to twelve months when balanced nutrition becomes more important.

Six to Nine Month Feeding

Always feed your baby in an upright position. Place his high chair away from hazards, always use the safety belt, and be sure the tray is securely attached. Start with foods that resemble breast milk or formula in taste and texture such as pureed banana or rice cereal. You may mix these foods with breast milk or formula to entice your baby to try them. Make the mixture thin for the first feedings. Dry cereal is more nutritious than pre-mixed cereal. Test the temperature of the food to make sure it's not too hot. Place a small amount on your finger and put it in his mouth. Let him suck on your finger. Leave the glob on his tongue. If he pushes it back out, he may not be ready for solids. Don't expect him to eat much at first. Introduce only one new food at a time, at least a week apart. Avoid common allergens such as dairy products, wheat, and soy. Watch for signs of allergic reaction such as a skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting, or nasal congestion. (See the feeding chart on pages 204 and 205 in "The Baby Book.")

His goal is to learn to eat, not to get a balanced meal. He will still get most of his nutrition from breast milk or formula. Nibbling throughout the day is nutritionally better than eating a few large meals. Feeding your baby takes time. You may have to be creative to get food into him, but never force it. Avoid causing him to laugh while he has food in his mouth to prevent choking. If he chokes, don't intervene if he can cough or cry. Try to keep him from panicking, and be ready to intervene if necessary. (See pages 653 to 654 in The Baby Book to learn when and how to intervene if your baby is choking.)

Making Your Own Baby Food:

1. Wash the fruit or vegetable well. Avoid acidic fruits.
2. Remove tough parts that could cause choking.
3. You can add a small amount of lemon juice as natural preservative, but don't add sugar or salt.
4. Steam the fruit or vegetable to preserve vitamins and minerals. Bake potatoes or squash in their skins, then remove the skins.
5. Mash and puree the fruit or vegetable.
6. Pour or spoon the mush into an ice cube tray and freeze.
7. Place the cubes into freezer bags, label and date. Keep food up to three months in the freezer.
8. Let a serving defrost in the refrigerator for three or four hours.
9. Warm and serve.

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