How and When to Introduce Solids to Infants
First, it is important to inform the daycare center you send your child to when you have started to introduce solids. The reason this is important is so that the daycare workers can be on the lookout for any reactions, know what you are currently feeding the child, and be in the loop of any foods your child has already reacted negatively to. Here are a few things to look for as you decide whether your child is ready to start solids.
- Can Hold Their Head Up: A baby’s ability to hold their head up is especially important to ensure the baby does not choke while eating solids. It is common for babies to gag when they eat solids, just be sure that they are not choking and never leave them unattended while they eat.
- Can Sit with Little or No Support: Like adults, babies need to be able to sit to eat. A baby can typically begin sitting up with little or no support between 4 and 6 months old. Daycare staff can also help you with deciding if your baby is ready for solids based on how they are doing during playtime at school.
- Can Bring Hands and Toys to Their Mouth: This is a common thing that babies do when they are handed anything around 4 to 6 months old. Starting to feed a baby little puffs or other dissolvable finger foods will also help with fine motor skill development.
- Leans Towards Food and Opens Mouth: Something that is easy to overlook as you are determining whether to introduce solids to your baby is, does your baby show interest in eating solids. Signs that your child is ready for solids include leaning
How to Introduce Solids
There is no perfect way to introduce solids to your baby, but it is important to make sure your daycare providers are on the same page as you. Typically, a good place to start is baby oatmeal, especially if a baby is struggling with low iron. Baby oatmeal can be easily prepared by just adding breastmilk, formula, or water until it is very thin. Do not be alarmed if your baby gags the first time they have oatmeal. Depending on whether your child attends daycare, you may have a few extra things to consider. If your daycare center provides meals, you should coordinate what fruits, vegetables, and major allergens you introduce to your baby first. There is no order you must follow, but doctors suggest waiting 5 to 7 days before introducing a new food, so you know if your baby reacts negatively or is allergic to a particular food.
