Your mother didn't start giving you solid food until you were seven months old; but your neighbor's 2-month-old is downing pureed green beans and seems OK.
It can be hard to decide when your infant is ready to start eating solid foods with so many conflicting viewpoints.
Many healthcare professionals agree that 4 months of age for formula-fed babies and as late as 6 months of ages for breast-fed babies is a good time to start feeding your baby rice cereal.
This cereal, which is very easy to digest, contains nutritional carbohydrates and iron which aid your baby's development.
As your infant gets used to this new taste and texture, gradually introduce barley and oatmeal cereals and then vegetable purees.
Some say to start with vegetables because a kid will favor the sweet taste of fruit purees and only want that.
I personally didn't find this to be the case with my daughter, but she definitely let me know what she liked and did not like.
Your infant is ready for solid foods when:
Any concerns about development should be addressed with your child's pediatrician.
Premature babies often develop slower than full-term babies, so you may find yourself waiting a bit longer than other mothers.
Also, check to see if your little one still has her tongue-thrust reflex, essential for nursing.
Place your finger or spoon on baby's lip.
She still has the reflex if her tongue sticks out every time.
Wait for her to outgrow this reflex before you start solid foods.
Your baby may push the spoon out of her mouth on the first try.
But don't give up.
Remember, she used to eating a certain way and has to get accustomed to getting pureed banana from the front of her mouth to the back.
That food will end up on the bib, baby's fingers, your face and the floor.
But in time, your sweetheart will be eating solid foods like a pro.
It can be hard to decide when your infant is ready to start eating solid foods with so many conflicting viewpoints.
Many healthcare professionals agree that 4 months of age for formula-fed babies and as late as 6 months of ages for breast-fed babies is a good time to start feeding your baby rice cereal.
This cereal, which is very easy to digest, contains nutritional carbohydrates and iron which aid your baby's development.
As your infant gets used to this new taste and texture, gradually introduce barley and oatmeal cereals and then vegetable purees.
Some say to start with vegetables because a kid will favor the sweet taste of fruit purees and only want that.
I personally didn't find this to be the case with my daughter, but she definitely let me know what she liked and did not like.
Your infant is ready for solid foods when:
- She puts things in her mouth.
- She easily is able to hold her head up.
- She's interested in food while others eat.
Any concerns about development should be addressed with your child's pediatrician.
Premature babies often develop slower than full-term babies, so you may find yourself waiting a bit longer than other mothers.
Also, check to see if your little one still has her tongue-thrust reflex, essential for nursing.
Place your finger or spoon on baby's lip.
She still has the reflex if her tongue sticks out every time.
Wait for her to outgrow this reflex before you start solid foods.
Your baby may push the spoon out of her mouth on the first try.
But don't give up.
Remember, she used to eating a certain way and has to get accustomed to getting pureed banana from the front of her mouth to the back.
That food will end up on the bib, baby's fingers, your face and the floor.
But in time, your sweetheart will be eating solid foods like a pro.