Around six months of age, baby's iron stores from birth start to diminish and become insufficient for their rapid growth and development. This is especially so for breastfed babies. This is why introducing complementary solid foods, alongside continued breastfeeding or formula feeding, becomes crucial. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that iron-rich foods should be introduced early on to meet your baby's increasing iron needs. Adequate iron intake during this period supports brain development, cognitive and immune function, and overall growth. By incorporating iron-rich foods into their diet, such as pureed meats, iron-fortified cereals, and legumes, you can help support baby’s iron requirements and prevent iron deficiency.
When to Start: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend introducing solid foods when baby is around six months old. By this time, babies have typically developed the necessary motor skills and digestive capabilities to handle solid foods. However, it's important to note that breastmilk or formula should remain the main source of nutrition for your baby until they reach 12 months of age. Breastmilk or formula provides essential nutrients and supports optimal growth and development during the first year of life. As you begin introducing solid foods, it's crucial to continue offering breastmilk or formula alongside meals. It's important to remember that every baby is unique, so observing their developmental readiness signs is crucial.
Signs of Readiness: Every baby is unique, but there are common signs that indicate your little one is ready to begin their solid food journey. These signs include:
- Ability to sit upright with support or independently.
- Increased head and neck control.
- Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex (pushing food out of the mouth).
- Showing interest in food by reaching for it or opening their mouth when offered.
Choosing the First Foods: Start with single-ingredient, pureed or mashed foods that are easy to digest. You can add breastmilk or formula to the pureed foods to get a thin, smooth texture. Introducing iron-rich foods such as pureed meats or iron-fortified cereals as the first foods will help to meet baby’s increased need for dietary iron at this stage of development. Other options can include mashed bananas, cooked and pureed sweet potatoes, or pureed fruits and vegetables. Begin with a small spoonful of smooth puree and gradually increase the quantity and texture of food as your baby becomes more comfortable with eating.
Introduce One Food at a Time: When introducing solid foods to your baby, it's recommended to take it one new food at a time, especially for allergenic foods such as milk, wheat, soy, egg, sesame, fish, shellfish, nuts and tree nuts. This approach allows you to carefully monitor for any potential allergies or intolerances.
Waiting three to five days before introducing another new allergenic food gives you the chance to observe your baby for any adverse reactions and pinpoint the specific food if needed.
Once your baby has tried several single-ingredient foods and shown no signs of allergies, you can start combining them to offer a variety of flavours and nutrients.
Baby’s taste preferences can take some time to develop. So, don't be discouraged if your baby doesn't seem receptive to a new food at first. It may take about 8 to 10 exposures to a particular food before they start to develop a liking for it. Stay patient, keep offering the new foods and baby might just surprise you!
Allergy Awareness: Immediate allergies to foods can cause symptoms like hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing and require immediate medical attention. Delayed allergies may cause symptoms like eczema, reflux, or loose stools and can be harder to identify. If you notice any unusual symptoms after introducing a new food, stop offering that food and consult your pediatrician. Always seek medical advice if you suspect an allergic reaction.
Gradual Texture Progression: As your baby becomes more comfortable with purees, it's time to transition to thicker textures and soft, mashed foods. This is an exciting step in their journey towards independent eating and developing essential chewing skills. It's important to offer age-appropriate textures to ensure a safe and enjoyable eating experience for your little one.
Around 7 to 8 months, you can start introducing mashed foods and at around 9 months, you can start introducing finely chopped foods with slightly more texture. These can include well-cooked and mashed vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Soft cooked pasta or rice, finely shredded chicken or fish, and crumbled tofu are also great options to explore. These foods help your baby practice their chewing skills and encourage them to move their tongue and jaw in different ways.
When deciding when to move on to the next texture for baby, always follow baby's cues such as increased chewing motions, even if they don't have teeth or demonstrating readiness for more variety and textures by getting bored with the current foods.
Between 9 and 12 months, you can gradually introduce more textures, such as small soft pieces of cooked vegetables and diced fruits. As your baby's motor skills and coordination improve, they can begin to handle foods with slightly more texture and chewiness.
Around 12 months, your baby can start experiencing a wider range of textures. This includes foods that are mashed with small lumps, soft finger foods like cooked vegetables and fruits, and bite-sized pieces of cooked meat or poultry. You can also introduce foods with a bit more texture, such as well-cooked pasta shapes, soft bread, and scrambled eggs.
Remember, every baby is unique, and readiness for different textures may vary. It's essential to observe your baby's cues and progress at their own pace. Offering a variety of textures stimulates their oral sensory development and encourages them to explore new flavours and foods.
Always ensure that the foods you offer are age-appropriate and prepared in a way that minimizes choking hazards. Always supervise your baby closely during meal times.
Encouraging Self-Feeding: At around eight to nine months, consider introducing soft, age-appropriate finger foods to encourage self-feeding. Cut the foods into pieces roughly the length and width of an adult finger. Additionally, letting baby hold a preloaded soft tip spoon can help develop fine motor skills and promote independence during mealtime.
How Much Food to Feed: The amount of food your baby needs will vary based on their age, appetite, and individual growth patterns. Initially, start with a one to two tablespoons of pureed food once a day. Over time, you can gradually increase the frequency and quantity of solid foods. By nine to twelve months, most babies may complement breast milk or formula feeds with three meals a day. Observe baby’s cues of fullness, such as fussiness, turning their head away or refusal to eat more.
When To Feed Baby: The best time to feed your baby is when they are alert, calm, and not too tired or hungry. It is generally recommended to offer solid foods after a milk feed, as this ensures that your baby's primary source of nutrition is still breast milk or formula. Choose a time that works well for both of you, whether it's during a family meal or in between milk feeds.
When introducing new foods, it is a good idea to introduce them earlier in the day. This gives you the opportunity to observe baby for any signs of allergies or adverse reactions during the daytime when medical help is more readily available.
It's important to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere during feeding times, allowing your baby to explore and taste their food at their own pace. Trust your instincts and follow your baby's cues to determine the best timing for their meals.
Follow Your Baby's Cues: Trust your baby to lead the way in their feeding journey. Pay close attention to their cues of hunger and fullness, and respect their unique preferences. Remember that it's completely normal for babies to display varying levels of interest in different foods. Embrace patience and avoid pressuring baby to eat if he/she is not showing interest. By allowing baby to explore and enjoy meals at his/her own pace, baby can foster a positive relationship with food and encourage independence in the exciting adventure of solid foods.
Nutrient-Rich Foods: Prioritise nutrient-dense foods in your baby's diet. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This ensures they receive a wide range of essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients for their growth and development.
Embrace the joy and excitement of milestone as you introduce solid foods to your little fig! Embrace the joy and excitement of this milestone, knowing that you're shaping their taste buds and creating a foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating. Remember to be patient, follow their cues, and let them savour every new flavour and texture. You can always reach out to your pediatrician or healthcare professional for personalised guidance on introducing solid foods to your baby. You’ve got this! Happy feeding and bon appétit!
References and useful links:
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents
https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Bright%20Futures/BF4_Introduction.pdf - World Health Organization: Complementary Feeding
https://www.who.int/health-topics/complementary-feeding#tab=tab_1 - org: Starting Solid Foods
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Switching-To-Solid-Foods.aspx - Health Promotion Board. Baby Getting Ready for Solids
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1227/baby-getting-ready-for-solids