Dr. William Sears, Pediatrician and author of "The Attachment Parenting Book", says "there is not a set date to start your baby on solid foods, although most babies are generally ready around 6 months of age." How do I know my baby is ready to eat solid foods?
Some babies will start sooner or later depending on their individual development. Your baby is usually ready if he or she can sit up on their own and swallow.
Signs your baby is ready for solid foods:
*He grasps objects with his whole hand
*He opens his mouth ready to accept food
*He shows interest in foods
*He sits up on his own with little assistance from an adult
*He lifts his head up while laying down on his stomach
*He uses his eyes to track movement
Which nutrients does my baby/toddler need?
It is always best to start your baby on organic mashed vegetables for the first few months and then gradually introduce fruits. This is important so that your baby learns to like vegetables as part of his diet. Babies need foods that are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Fiber rich foods.
Some of the best sources of vitamin A include sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, apricots, and butternut squash. Foods that are rich in Vitamin C include melons, kiwi, broccoli, citrus fruits, strawberries, and tomatoes, and bananas. Give your little one a variety of colorful foods packed with all sorts of valuable nutrients.
If your child has persistent diaper rash when introducing fruits that is a sign that his body is not ready to handle the acid contained in them. It is best to cut back on fruits until your child is older and better able to metabolize these types of foods. When your child's bite matures and he can move food around in his mouth then you will know its time to introduce the more chunky dinner table foods that the rest of the family eats.
Be cautious and take extra care to limit choking possibilities. Even if your baby has teeth it’s important to start with small bits and watch your baby while he eats. If your baby or toddler is breast fed be sure to provide Vitamin D by bringing your little one out in the sun a few times per week.
How do I know that my baby is getting enough to eat?
The serving size needed for an infant or toddler less than a year old is one to three tablespoons of food per day. Usually with one eating session a 9 month old will have about this amount. Some babies may eat more or less but this is the average. Try to focus more on the fun of eating without worrying too much about the amount of foods consumed. It can be easy to over feed your baby without even realizing it. This usually ends up causing the baby to throw up the food or get chubbier faster.
How do I know if my baby is allergic to certain foods?
Watch to see how your baby reacts to certain foods. It’s important to keep an eye on your baby and stop feeding your child foods that cause reactions at least until she matures and then trying the food again. Many babies out grow these reactions as their digestive tract matures.
When first starting your little one on foods focus on one food at a time such as green beans. Only feed your baby that particular food each day for 5 days and if your child has no reactions then you know she is ready for that particular food. Do this whenever you start with any new foods. Once you know what your baby can eat feel free to mix and match different foods.
Allergic signs to look for:
*Gassiness
*diarrhea
*cranky behavior
*red rash around the anus
*rash on the face
*vomiting or increased spitting up
When you first start out with solid foods keep a written journal of the foods that your baby eats and how he or she reacts. This will help make the transition to solid foods much easier for you. Always discuss any concerns you have with your pediatrician.
Should my baby eat three square meals per day? Should I use a schedule?
Many pediatricians recommend that you feed your infant breast milk or formula based on their demands to eat rather than a strict schedule. After 6 months of age transitioning to food is a slow process but as your child gets older they will eventually eat 2 to three full meals per day in addition to snacking on an off. There will be times when your child will not really want to eat while other times they will eat all day such as when they are going through a growth spurt.
All of this is perfectly normal as long as your baby is growing normally. If your baby is bottle fed it is important to wean them from the bottle at 12-15 months in order to prevent tooth decay. If your baby is breast fed it is okay to continue breast feeding in addition to feeding your child solid foods. The reason for this is because breast milk does not cause tooth decay and actually has properties in it that protect the teeth. Many toddlers rely on the breast for comfort and security well past their first birthdays and this is all perfectly normal.
What does Kosher mean?
The word "Kosher" means "fit or proper" in Hebrew. This is used to describe foods which are made in accordance with special Jewish dietary laws, like not mixing meat and dairy products. Foods which are made under these special guidelines have to meet set nutritional requirements and strict hygienic regulations. Kosher food is known as cleaner food.
Is it okay to microwave my baby's food?
No, its never okay microwave any food or drinks given to your baby. The reason for this is because microwaves omit radiation that changes the internal structure of food. Many plastic containers contain phthalates or plasticizers to make plastic more flexible. Even when storing or wrapping food in plastic small amounts of phthalates migrate into the food.
It’s best to use glass jars or wrap left over food in wax paper. This applies to the whole family. According to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention most Americans are now showing up with dangerous levels of phthalates in their blood which may be a contributing factor to the cancer epidemic. These compounds are very hazardous to our health.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Please feel free to comment.
Sarahberra
This is very helpful article, specially for us first time parents.
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