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Introducing Solids
Your Complete Guide to Getting Started
Starting solid foods is a major milestone for your baby, and it's a new adventure for the whole family. Most babies are ready to begin this journey around 6 months of age, when their bodies and minds have developed enough to handle foods beyond breast milk or formula.
This isn't about rushing; it's about recognizing when your baby is developmentally ready.
When Is Your Baby Ready?
Before you start, look for these three key signs of readiness:

  1. Good Head and Neck Control: Your baby should be able to sit upright with support and hold their head steady.
  2. Loss of the Tongue-Thrust Reflex: They can move food to the back of their mouth and swallow instead of automatically pushing it out with their tongue.
  3. Coordination Skills: Your baby can look at, pick up, and bring food to their mouth on their own.
Your baby may also show interest by watching you eat, reaching for your food, and opening their mouth when you offer them something.
Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Start Slow: Begin with just 1-2 teaspoons of food once a day. The goal is to introduce new flavors and textures, not to replace breast milk or formula, which remain your baby's primary nutrition source throughout the first year.
  2. Timing: Offer solids when your baby is happy and relaxed, but not overly hungry or tired. Mid-morning or early afternoon often works well.
  3. Iron-Rich Foods: Iron is especially important, as a baby’s natural stores are depleted by 6 months. Good first foods include pureed meats, iron-fortified baby cereals, or mashed lentils.
  4. Introduce Allergens Early: New research suggests that introducing common allergens like well-cooked eggs and smooth peanut butter (never whole peanuts) early can help prevent allergies. Introduce them one at a time and watch for any reactions.
  5. Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Both are great options! Homemade food gives you control over ingredients and saves money, while store-bought food is convenient and often fortified with extra vitamins. Choose what works best for your family.
Embrace the Mess and Read Their Cues
Mess is a part of the learning process! Babies use their hands to explore food's texture and properties, so let them get messy. Use a large bib and a splat mat under their highchair to make cleanup easier.

Always watch for your baby's cues. Stop feeding them if they turn their head away, close their mouth, or push the spoon away with their hands. Don’t force them to eat if they aren't interested. Their appetite will vary from day to day, and that's completely normal.

Safety First

To prevent choking, always stay with your baby while they're eating. Avoid hard foods like whole nuts and candy, and modify foods like grapes by cutting them into quarters lengthwise. Never give honey to a baby under 12 months due to the risk of botulism.
Common Challenges & Solutions
Many breastfeeding challenges are normal and can be solved with the right support.

  • Sore Nipples: This is usually a sign of a poor latch. Correcting your baby's latch with the help of a lactation consultant can make a huge difference.
  • Low Milk Supply: This is often a perceived issue rather than a real one. To increase your supply, you can try more frequent feeding and ensure you get adequate rest and hydration.
  • Engorgement: This can be managed with frequent feeding, cold compresses, and gentle massage to help relieve discomfort.
🌿 Enjoy the Journey
Introducing solids should be a fun and exciting experience for both of you. It's an opportunity to build a healthy relationship with food.
Remember:
  • Every baby is different and will progress at their own pace.
  • Your job is to offer variety, and their job is to decide how much to eat.
  • Building a positive food relationship is more important than any single meal.
You've got this! Enjoy this new stage of development and the messy, joyful memories that come with it.

Alex Haluzo
Lead Paediatrician
at Amia