Patient education: Starting solid foods with babies (The Basics)

When should I start feeding my baby solid foods? — Most doctors and nurses recommend that babies start solid foods at about 4 to 6 months old. Until then, breast milk (or formula) is the best nutrition for your baby. Giving solid foods won't make a baby sleep longer.

When is my baby ready for solid foods? — Once they are old enough, a baby is usually ready to start eating solid foods when they:

●Can sit up with help

●Have good control of their head and neck

●Put toys or hands in their mouth

●Show an interest in food by leaning forward and opening their mouth when it's time to eat

Which food should I start with? — Start with a food that has only 1 ingredient and is mashed up well. Most parents start with baby cereal, fruits, vegetables, or meats.

You can mix baby cereal with breast milk, formula, or water. Make the mixture thin at first, and use a spoon to feed it to your baby. Doctors and nurses do not usually recommend putting baby cereal in a baby's bottle.

When you start feeding your baby solid foods, give your baby 1 new food every few days. That way, you can make sure that your baby doesn't have an allergy to that food. After a few days, you can try another food.

How do I know if my baby has an allergy to a food? — Your baby might have an allergy to a food if they eat it and then have 1 or more of the following symptoms:

●Skin rash or raised patches of skin that are usually very itchy (called hives) (picture 1)

●Swollen lips or face

●Vomiting or diarrhea

●Coughing or trouble breathing

●Pale skin

Call the doctor or nurse if your child has any of these symptoms.

Can I use baby food from a jar? — Yes. But it's important to keep it in the refrigerator after opening and follow the instructions about how long the food keeps. Baby food usually keeps in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days after a jar is opened. If a jar has been opened for more than 3 days, throw it out.

Can I make my own baby food? — Yes, but don't add salt or sugar to it. Babies don't need extra salt or sugar in their food.

Which foods should I give my baby next? — After you give your baby different foods with only 1 ingredient, move on to foods with 2 or more ingredients. For example, you might try yogurt mixed with mashed fruit. Over time, you can give your baby foods that are thicker and have small chunks in them. That way, your baby can get used to different foods and learn to chew pieces of food.

By about 8 to 12 months, your baby should be getting more used to solid foods and their texture. At this age:

●Your baby should still drink breast milk or formula. But you can continue adding more solid foods to provide other nutrients.

●Offer fruits and vegetables at least once a day. If your baby refuses a fruit or vegetable, try offering it again another time. It often takes many tries before a baby learns to like a new food.

●Your baby should be getting more coordinated and able to feed themselves. You can give them soft "finger foods" in small pieces. Examples include soft fruits, vegetables, cheese, well-cooked meats, beans, and cooked pasta. You can also give foods that dissolve easily, like baby crackers or dry cereal.

●Your baby should be getting used to lots of different flavors, and able to eat many of the same foods the rest of your household eats. You will need to cut or mash some foods into bite-sized pieces.

●Your baby should be able to drink from a regular cup using both hands.

●Avoid sweets and foods with lots of sugar, like ice cream and other desserts.

After your baby is 1 year old:

●You can continue breastfeeding if you choose. As your child grows, they will continue to need more nutrients from other foods, too.

●You can start giving your child whole cow's milk. If you want to use a different type of milk instead, such as soy, talk to your child's doctor or nurse. They can make sure that your child is getting the right nutrients.

●If your baby is used to drinking from a bottle, switch them to a cup. This can take some time and practice.

●You can give your baby small amounts of fruit juice. Do not give more than 4 ounces (120 milliliters) of juice a day. Drinking more than that can lead to diarrhea, cavities, and other problems. Give 100 percent juice, rather than "fruit drinks," which often have added sugar.

Are there foods that babies should not eat or drink? — Yes.

Babies younger than 1 year old should not have honey. They should only drink breast milk, infant formula, or sometimes water. They should not have cow's milk, juice, or homemade formula. They should also not have drinks with added sugar, like soda, tea, or sweetened fruit drinks.

Doctors also recommend that children younger than 4 years old not eat certain foods that commonly cause choking. These foods include:

●Hot dogs

●Peanuts and other nuts

●Grapes

●Raw carrots

●Popcorn

●Hard candies

Does my child need vitamins? — Doctors recommend that all babies who breastfeed get daily vitamin D drops starting when they are a few days old. Vitamin D helps bones grow strong. Babies who drink formula might also need vitamin D drops, depending on how much formula they drink each day.

Some babies need other vitamins each day, depending on what they eat and other factors. Ask the doctor or nurse if your baby should take vitamins and which ones they need.

What else do I need to know? — There are other things you can do to help your baby have a healthy relationship with food. You can:

●Learn how to tell when your baby is hungry or full. It is normal for babies and toddlers to eat different amounts at different meals. Do not force them to eat.

●Include your baby in meals with the family or other household members. They can sit in an infant high chair or in your lap. Never leave your baby alone while they are eating.

●Let your baby touch and play with their foods. This will help them get used to different textures and tastes.

More on this topic

Patient education: Weaning from breastfeeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Food allergy (The Basics)
Patient education: Fluoride (The Basics)

Patient education: Starting solid foods with babies (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Food allergy symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)