In thinking about this topic, I came to the conclusion that, when push comes to shove and words must be few, one CAN break it down to the essentials and STILL be comprehensive. Though it would be easy to ramble on, book-style…luckily, there are useful resources, tools and practical tips that you can use for support and information. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert, or anybody other than yourself, to do it right.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least six months, though you can introduce solids any time between 4 and 6 months if your baby is ready. And there are specific benchmarks that help you to know if your infant is ready, including: head control (your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position), sitting well when supported and significant weight gain (usually double the birth weight).
A good rule of thumb is to start your infant on rice cereal. After nursing or bottle-feeding your baby, give him one or two teaspoons of dry cereal mixed with enough formula or breast milk to make a semi-liquid. Use a rubber-tipped spoon when you feed your baby to avoid gum injury. Shoot for one feeding daily.
In addition to breast milk or iron fortified formula, good foods to start your baby on include sweet potatoes, squash, applesauce, bananas, carrots, oatmeal, peaches, pears and small amounts of protein-rich foods (such as poultry and cottage cheese). All food should be strained or mushy at this stage your baby will press the food against the top of his mouth and then swallow.
To access more information on introducing solid foods/feeding your infant (including additional benchmarks that indicate readiness to make the transition to solid foods) and much more about your baby’s health, growth and development visit the Baby Center or (for wholesome baby-friendly recipes) check out Wholesome Baby Food. These websites host online community centers for new parents to offer support and practical advice to one another on a variety of topics as well.
“Solid foods cannot provide all of the nutrients your baby needs, so continue to breast or bottle feeding during the first year of life. By around 8 months he should be eating solid food three times a day.”
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