How To Introduce Solids To Baby (Some Tricks & Tricks)

I was really proud and happy(yyyaaa) when my baby crossed his six happy months. Milestone Isn’t it?? As we all know that till six months it is advised to give only BM or FM. By six months a baby has a better digestion system and good head control which is needed before the introduction of solids.  Once your baby crosses six months, she is completely ready to go for solid food. Always remember to go slow and keep in mind that your baby’s tummy is really small and has so many years of food experiences ahead.

Signs your baby is ready for weaning

• Baby can control her head properly.
• Baby can sit properly.
• Proper coordination between eyes, hands, and mouths.
• They can swallow food.
• Mastered tongue movement.
• Doubling of birth weight.
• They take interest in foods by watching others eat and open their mouths when food approaches
• Baby seems interested in food.
• Started picking food.

Points to remember before introducing solids

• Go slow and keep the baby’s preference in mind.
• Start with very dilute purees
• Start with few spoons once a day and later increase it.
• Follow 3-day wait rule whenever introducing any new food to the baby.
• Always sterilize the feeding utensils before using them.
• Start with easy digestive food.
• Stop feeding that particular food in case of food allergy.
• Don’t feed solids when the baby is lying on his back.
• Always feed freshly cooked food to your baby.
• Don’t feed your baby forcefully.
• Properly cool hot food before giving it to the baby.
• Let your baby enjoy touching and holding the food.
• Don’t add salt, sugar to your baby’s food.
• Until 9 months, feed your baby formula daily or breast milk every 3 to 4 hours.
• From 9 to 12 months, feed her formula every day or breast milk every 4 to 5 hours.

Feeding Schedule

The instant your baby knows the concept of eating and shows interest in the food, start her on a feeding routine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even if she isn’t starving at times, she’ll get used to the clue of eating on a schedule. They should eat three meals a day with few snacks in between. And treat liquids, either formula or breast milk, as an accompaniment to a meal, not as a meal itself.”

• At 4 to 6 months, feed her 2 meals, each two to four tablespoons.
• At 7 to 12 months, feed her 3 meals, each the size of baby’s fist.

Should Baby Still Drink Breast Milk or Formula?

How long should you continue with breast milk formula feedings?

You should continue with the milk for some time. They offer necessary nutrition, and your baby is used to them—she’ll be supported by the feel of a nipple and the taste of milk or formula.

Provide baby with the breast or bottle first item in the morning. At the start, you’ll have to test to find what works best. So mealtime is additional about her getting used to the act of eating and learning the tastes and feels of foods than it is about providing nutrition.

What Should Baby Eat?

• Single-grain cereals (4 to 6 months)
•  Pureed veggies, fruits, and meats (4 to 8 months)
•  Chopped, ground, or mashed foods (9 to 12 months)

Food for 6-8 Month Old Baby

• Breast Milk
• Formula Milk
• Mashed Banana
• Steamed Apple
• Well steamed and squashed vegetables like carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin etc.
•  Pulse soup
• Rice water
• Single grain cereals like rice, oats etc.
• Steamed and squashed fruits like pear, avocado, peach, chikoo.
• Homemade vegetable soup.

NOTE – Remember, please consult with your paediatrician before introducing solid foods to your baby or any sort of new food.

PC – Google

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