Author Topic: Is your baby ready for solids?  (Read 24134 times)

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Offline tylersmommy

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Is your baby ready for solids?
« on: July 15, 2005, 19:31:21 pm »
Are you wondering if it might be time to start solids? I've compiled some links and information to help with the decision. In general, babies are ready to begin solids sometime between 4 and 6 months of age.

The UK Department of Health recommends waiting until 6 months, especially if your baby is breastfed. They advise that parents wishing to begin solids after 4 months of age do so under the guidance of a health visitor.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/solid-foods-weaning.aspx#close

The AAP recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months
http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/pages/switching-to-solid-foods.aspx

The World Health Organization also recommends waiting to introduce solids until 6 months for babies who are exclusively breastfed.
http://www.who.int/features/qa/21/en/
http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/complementary_feeding/en/index.html

Kellymom.com also has some interesting information on when to begin solids for exclusively breastfed babies.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html#experts

Below are some signs that your baby MAY be ready to begin solid foods. Your baby will probably not do all of these things, but these are clues that may help you determine readiness:
• Can hold head up
• Sits well in highchair
• Makes chewing motions
• Shows significant weight gain (birth weight has doubled)
• Shows interest in food
• Can close mouth around a spoon
• Can move food from front to back of mouth
• Can move tongue back and forth, but is losing tendency to push food out with tongue
• Seems hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breast milk or 40 oz. of formula in a day
• Is teething
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babyfeeding/1400680.html

Regardless of when you decide to introduce solids, keep this in mind: solids are not meant to be your baby's main source of nutrition until closer to 1 year of age. Until then, breastmilk or formula are the most important part of your baby's diet, and the purpose of solid food is for nutritional supplementation and learning.

Other points to consider: Younger babies may have difficulty signaling to you when they are full, and their digestive systems may not be mature enough to handle solid food. Gas, tummyaches, and constipation can happen anytime during solids introduction, but consistent digestive problems may be a sign that your baby's body isn't ready yet. Also, there is no conclusive evidence that solid foods will help your baby sleep through the night.

Good luck, and happy eating!
« Last Edit: April 07, 2014, 00:01:27 am by Erin M »
Melissa
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