Starting Solids

According to recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Public Health Association (APHA), human milk is the only food that healthy, full-term babies need for about the first six months of life. The composition of human milk changes in response to a variety of cues, so that each mother or nursing parent provides milk that meets their own baby’s unique needs. Human milk provides immunity factors for as long as the baby nurses, and many of the health benefits of breastfeeding continue well into childhood and beyond. Feeding complementary foods to your baby before he is ready is typically messy and inefficient as they will naturally push the food out with their tongue as long as the tongue-reflex is functioning. By waiting for your baby to be developmentally ready, they becomes an active participant in eating, rather than merely a passive recipient. This helps to put them in charge of how much they eat, teaching them important fullness cues. Starting solid foods before your baby is ready will not increase sleep at night, is not necessary for larger babies, and does not initially increase calories. FruitsMost babies love fruits. Make sure they are ripe, and wash well before peeling. Here are some favorites: VegetablesFresh vegetables should be washed, peeled and cooked until tender. Frozen veggies are convenient to have on hand. Avoid the canned varieties to which salt has been added. Your baby may enjoy: Meat and FishBabies often prefer well-cooked chicken, which is soft and easy to eat when shredded. Be careful to remove even the tiny bones when serving fish. Beans and LegumesRemove the skins from beans as they tend to be harder to digest. If you use canned beans for convenience, make sure they are unseasoned. Grains and CerealsCommercial, iron-fortified cereals are often the first foods served to babies who are not breastfeeding because they need the extra iron, but breastfed babies are rarely anemic as the iron in human milk is well-utilized. If there is concern about the baby’s iron levels, a simple test can be done in the doctor’s office. Whole grain cereals, breads and crackers are the most nutritious. Wait until later in the year before offering wheat products. If you use cereals, make sure that they only have one ingredient and use either water or your own milk for mixing. Many mothers prefer to let their older babies chew on a hard bagel or an end of bread instead of sugary teething biscuits. The American Academy of Pediatrics: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827.full#content-block The UK NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/solid-foods-weaning/ The Canadian Paediatrics Society: https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/feeding_your_baby_in_the_first_year