You’re a brand-new mom (or a mom again) and have just mastered breast-feeding or formula feeding (or are still wondering when the feeding gets easier), but now you’re anticipating the next nourishment phase: solid food introduction. With all the nuances of being a new mom, including returning to work, I cringed at the thought of adding to my baby rearing repertoire. Nursing and bottle feeding was so convenient!
Even though I am a registered dietitian nutritionist, I was thrown for a loop when it was time to introduce my baby to solids. I researched the transition to solid foods, I asked moms about their experience, read all sorts of blog posts and pored over any nutrition textbook I could get my hands on. I am here to share the conclusions from my research, along with personal anecdotes. Keep in mind that every baby is unique, and what may work for one baby might not necessarily work for another. Make sure to note references for babies at a high-risk for food allergies. If the baby has at least one family member with an allergy, he or she is considered high-risk.
Exclusive breast-feeding until six months is the gold standard. By six months of age, the baby is more active, and breast milk and formula alone will no longer meet all the energy and micronutrient needs. The baby’s digestive system is also mature enough to handle digesting solid food. Waiting until 6 months to introduce solid food may decrease the risk of developing food allergies. Start this process sooner if your baby exhibits signs of readiness as early as 4 months old. Can your baby sit up without support and hold his/her head up? Does your baby show a keen interest in food? At about 5 and 1/2 months, my baby’s eyes would widen at the sight of food, and he started grabbing food off my plate, so I felt like it was a good time to start this adventure.
Traditionally, a baby’s first food was a single grain cereal. Rice has been the chosen cereal, as it is the most hypoallergenic of all. The reality is it doesn’t really matter what you feed the baby first as long as your goal is an enjoyable first eating experience. Some people like to start the baby with fruit, as humans have an innate preference for sweet tastes. I decided to be old-school and start with oatmeal. Avocado was my baby’s second food, since it’s rich in nutrients. Afterwards, I continued along the vegetable spectrum (see below) before introducing fruit, other grains and meat. My theory is that I wanted my baby to appreciate vegetables before fruit to deter rejection of vegetables. Was my theory correct? Who knows, but I do know that my baby still loves vegetables.
First foods that I recommend:
— Vegetables: sweet potato, winter squashes (butternut, acorn), carrots
— Fruit: avocado, banana, pear, apple
— Grains: oatmeal, quinoa
Introduce one food at a time with three days in between to monitor for reactions. Don’t be afraid to try a variety of energy rich foods for an assortment of nutrients. Babies are most open to trying new foods before the age of 1.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports there is no reason to wait to introduce allergenic foods. Introduce the top eight allergenic foods (eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, cow’s milk) after your baby has tolerated a few foods. By 10 months, my baby had tasted all of the allergenic foods (except cow’s milk).
Foods that should be avoided until 1 year old:
— Milk (other dairy products are OK)
— Honey (risk of botulism, a foodborne illness)
— Choking hazards: popcorn, chunks of raw fruits , raw vegetables, hot dogs, grapes, olives, meats. If it can fit through a toilet paper roll and doesn’t breakdown easily, it’s a risk.
Previously, it was recommended to wait a period of time before introducing acidic foods ( berries, citrus and tomatoes) because they can cause redness on the baby’s delicate skin. It’s now known that a true sensitivity may be indicated only if a rash occurs beyond the mouth region.
If your baby is at a high-risk for allergies, consult your pediatrician before testing allergenic foods. Real food allergies cause immediate and obvious reactions — hives, rashes, swelling, vomiting, trouble breathing, coughing, etc. A delayed and less intense reaction (possibly days later) from the top eight allergenic foods might indicate a food sensitivity. Eliminate the offending food for two weeks, and re-introduce to confirm suspicions. Need assistance? Keep a food journal and track symptoms, or make an appointment with a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Offer the first foods when the baby is not ravenous. First-time feeding should be done when the baby is wide awake, in a good mood, in good health and moderately hungry. I learned firsthand that if you attempt to feed solid food to a starving baby, there’s a high likelihood of tears, screaming and a very unhappy infant. Babies cannot eat as fast as they can drink.
At the sight of the incoming food, my baby opened his mouth wide, reminding me of when a little birdie receives a worm. He fervently slurped down the thinned down oatmeal. The first foods should be very thin — just a little thicker than liquid. Use breast milk or formula to thin out the cereal or pureed foods. My baby would cough or regurgitate if the food was too thick. Gradually, over a period of about a month, he began to tolerate thicker consistencies.
A positive relationship with food for the baby starts now. Make sure your baby is sitting up straight. Feeding time should be without distractions. Monitor your baby’s visual cues. Facial expressions aren’t always the best indication in the beginning stages of eating. My baby makes the “yucky” face and then motions for more food. If your baby rejects a food, try again in a couple days.
Feed at the baby’s pace, and stop feeding when he or she shows you he or she is done. My baby is pretty straightforward — he shuts his mouth really tight, shakes his head no, pushes the spoon away and/or starts to throw the food on the floor.
Let your baby explore the food. Everyone and everything will become a mess, and you’ll learn to be OK with it. My dog has become a fantastic baby-food vacuum.
A milestone that once perplexed me is now one of the most enjoyable times during the day. As long as you make mindful choices, your baby will grow up to be a successful eater.
More from U.S. News
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Starting Your Baby on Solids originally appeared on usnews.com
