Not sure when or how to start solids?
When is your baby ready to start solids?
- Baby can sit up well without support
- Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and does not automatically push solids out of his mouth with his tongue
- Baby is ready and willing to chew
- Baby is developing a “pincer” grasp, where he picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger. Using the fingers and scraping the food into the palm of the hand (palmar grasp) does not substitute for pincer grasp development.
- Baby is eager to participate in mealtime and may try to grab food and put it in his mouth
This is usually at around six months, and solids should not be started before four months of age.
What should I start feeding my baby?
When your infant is ready, at around 6 months, but not before 4 months, start to introduce a variety of solid foods, starting with iron rich foods, while continuing breastfeeding.
All infants should be given allergenic solid foods including peanut butter, cooked egg and dairy and wheat products in the first year of life. This includes infants at high risk of allergy.
I highly recommend this article about the division of responsibility in feeding. In summary, you choose what your child eats, and your child gets to decide how much. You can find it here.
Recommended Websites and Apps:
Phillips Avent Easy Weaning App
The following references provide more information:
Australian Breastfeeding Association: Confused about introducing solids?
KellyMom: Is baby ready for solid foods?
ASCIA Guidelines: Infant Feeding and Allergy Prevention
