articles > Introducing Solid Food for Baby > An Action Plan to Introducing Solids
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An Action Plan to Introducing Solids
Introducing solid food into your baby’s diet can be a daunting task for some parents but keep in mind that you are about to teach your baby to eat and enjoy food, one of life’s great pleasures. Try and make every meal enjoyable for both of you – below we offer some information to help make the introduction of solids fun.
Getting Started
Start small - start with a very small amount on a small spoon, ½ to 1 teaspoon, and just touch your baby’s lips with the spoon, don’t try and force it in. Your baby will open their mouth if interested. Don’t offer more if your baby finishes all that you offer – remember your baby’s system needs time to get use to solid foods. Gradually increase the amount of food to 2-4 tablespoons per meal, and then increase the number of meals to three a day. Always let your baby’s appetite be the guide.
First feeds should be pureed and/or very runny in consistency.
For details including what age to introduce solids and the signs of readiness see article - When to Introduce Solids. Always offer solids following a breast milk or formula feed. Breast milk or formula are a priority up until 12 months.
Begin with a once-a-day feeding, whenever it's convenient for you and your baby, but not at a time when your baby seems tired.
Start with a single food and keep trying it for three or four days before you introduce the next food. Watch for signs of intolerance or allergic reactions such as vomiting, diarrhoea or rashes, which don’t always show up straightaway. Most babies will not have any problems with new foods.
Foods to Start with…
Iron fortified rice cereal – this is gluten-free and less allergenic than some other foods. Single foods such as mashed banana or avocado, Skinned, cooked and pureed fruit and vegetables (pear, pumpkin or carrot). Age appropriate commercially prepared foods (home made preferable)
Note that, breast milk, formula or cool boiled water can be added to get the consistency right. If you feel that your baby is not beginning to eat properly by seven months of age seek professional advice.
Introducing More Nutritious and Interesting Foods
At seven or eight months your baby will be ready for food with more texture (coarsely mashed or minced foods).
Continue to expand the range of fruit and vegetables
Ground up meat (great for iron) chicken and boned fish can be given. For vegetarian children, offer cooked dried beans, peas, or lentils instead
Cereals such as whole rice, couscous and pasta (unless your family has a history of wheat or gluten allergy)
Age appropriate commercially prepared foods
Add variety into the diet by mixing or combining foods together.
When small lumps can be managed, provide finger foods such as pieces of steamed/baked vegetables, toast or bread fingers, and pieces of cooked meat. For more information see article on Finger Foods.
Cow’s milk can be introduced as the main drink when your baby is 12 months old. Before that, the only two appropriate options are breast milk or formula, and the nutrients in these remain an important part of her diet. At 12 months of age baby will be experimenting with self feeding and a range of finger foods. From 12 months your toddler can now eat pretty much what the rest of the family eats (it may require a bit of modification with flavours or textures).
The longer you can avoid salt and sugar the better. Additives (even natural ones) are simply not necessary - salt, seasonings and sweeteners can overwhelm a little one’s delicate palate and if you use them from day one your baby will become reliant on them to make all food taste good.
Foods to Avoid
If there is a history of allergies in your family, seek professional advice prior to introducing solids.
Food Safety
Transfer your babies meal into a dish before the meal and discard any leftovers. Saliva from baby’s mouth introduces bacteria (via the spoon) back into the food so it is not safe to keep. Keep food in the fridge and covered in appropriate containers.
Whatever foods you decide to introduce first, make sure you observe your babies reaction. Don’t exclude any food just because you don’t like it, variety is the key to a healthy balanced diet and the development of healthy attitudes. If your baby clearly doesn’t like something, don’t pressure them to eat it, keep offering it and think of alternative ways to ensure they are getting all they need. Always avoid any foods that might cause an allergic reaction early on or are a choking hazard.
Poos…
The introduction of solids means your baby’s poos’ will change….in both colour and odour. This is particularly noticeable for babies that have previously been exclusively breastfed. Your baby’s bowel motions are a good insight into how their system is coping with solids. The frequency and consistency is important to monitor for instance bananas and rice cereal may cause constipation for some infants so by offering a little pear or oatmeal…you can help to relieve this.
Respect Baby's Appetite
Your baby's appetite will vary from one feeding to the next, so don’t expect them to eat the same amount every day. Look for behavioural cues to indicate your little one has had enough…leaning back in the chair, turning head away from food, playing with the spoon, or refusing to open up for the next bite are all examples of baby saying…hey enough already!!
If there are any problems with the introduction of solids– make sure you seek advice and professional opinion.
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