Introducing Solids | When can I give my baby Solid Food

Introducing Solids | When can I give my baby Solid Food | What is Weaning? | How to introduce solid to my baby? | When can I start solids to my baby | Complete guide on introducing solids | 6 months baby food | how do we get started with solids for babies | 

Introducing one’s baby to solids is a milestone that each parent is eagerly waiting for. This process also brings in a lot of anxiousness and worry, especially for a first-time parent. In this article, I’ve included details on when and how you can introduce solids to your baby.

Introducing Solids | When can I give my baby Solid Food

(check out a detailed video at the end of the article)

Why should you introduce solids only after 6 months?

1. Breastmilk or Formula provide the nutrition required for a growing baby till 6 months.
2. Babies cannot easily swallow, as they wouldn’t have lost tongue thrust yet. 
3. Early introduction can cause many health issues including obesity, allergies, eczema, diabetes etc.
4. Only after 6 months, your baby needs that extra nutrition, more iron to be specific.
5. IHO(Indian Health Organisation) and WHO(World Health Organization) also recommend the same.

4 signs that your baby is ready for solid

As a rough guide weaning period start around 6 months from birth. But every child is different, so don’t rush or hurry. Here’s what you can look out for-

1. Sits well with support & holds her head steady
2. Shows interest during mealtime, including chewing actions
3. Picks things and put it in their mouth
4. Swallow some food when you offer them

Things you should keep in mind

1. Always feed the baby when he/she is sitting. Do not feed when the baby is lying on back.
2. Never leave baby unattended while eating, to reduce the chances of choking.
3. Sterilise the bowls, spoons, vessels used to feed the baby in hot water.
4. No salt, sugar or honey for the baby until 1 year.
5. Most important, to talk to your pediatrician before starting solids
6. Last but not the least, till a year breastmilk or formula remains the main food and required very much for their healthy growth.

Two ways of introducing Solid Foods

1. Traditional Weaning: Beginning to feed purees, porridges when introducing solids. Slowly moving to introduce textures, finger foods gradually. 
2. Baby Led Weaning: Baby eats by her own hands. This allows baby to decide how much to eat, when to eat and when not. Eats all family food minus salt and sugar. More chances of baby loving the food journey.

Few Do’s and Dont’s

1. Don’t start too early
2. Do Introduce varieties
3. Don’t hesitate to give textures
4. Don’t ever force-feed
5. No need to delay allergenic food
6. Follow your baby’s cues

What if my baby refuses solids?

There is no need to worry or stick to the calendar. You can wait for few days or a week and re-introduce solids. This may be a natural way for your child’s body to tell that her digestive system needs more time. So please do not rush or force feed. Some babies may be more interested in self-feeding and hence you can introduce finger foods like soft cooked vegetables, roti dipped in milk or water, or any soft food which they can hold in hand and eat.

Should I still continue to breastfeed or formula feed after introducing solids?

Yes babies, get all the required nutrition from mothers milk or formula. Solids are to complement them till a year. You need to continue to feed the same amount of breastmilk/formula or more as baby grows even after introducing solids. There should never be a dip in this.

Few articles I recommend to read along :

• 6 Foods to be avoided for babies until a year
• 6 Months Baby Food Chart
• Iron Deficiency in Babies or Children | Prevention and Care
• LACTOSE INTOLERANCE in Babies
• You can check Puree recipes for babies, Porridge Recipes for babies here.

Video: Introducing Solids | When can I give my baby Solid Food

In the next article, we shall discuss on How to introduce Solids to babies so please stay tuned. Thank you for reading this article. For regular updates please join our Instagram, Facebook Page and our YouTube Channel.

Disclaimer: The information given in this article are basis my personal experience and few research I’ve done along with Child nutritionists and pediatricians. Please do consider this as a guideline and not medical advice.