ACNet Search

Results for: Clarified Cereal Milk Cocktails

Starting Solid Foods

Breast milk is all your baby will need until atleast 4 months of age. There does come a time, when breast milk will no longer supply all of yourbaby's nutrition needs. Full term babies will start to require iron from other sources by 6 - 9months of age.

Some babies that aren't started on solid foods bythe age of 9 - 12 months may have a great level ofdifficulty accepting solid foods. It's actually a developmental milestone when your child startssolid foods - as he is now growing up.

When to startThe ideal time to begin solid foods is when thebaby shows interest in starting. Some babies will show interest in solid food when it's ontheir parents' plates, as early as 4 months ofage. By 5 - 6 months, most babies will reach outand try to grab the food. When the baby starts toreach for food, it's normally the time to go ahead and give him some.

Sometimes, it may be a better idea to start foodearlier. When a baby seems to get hungry or onceweight gain isn't continuing at the desired rate,it may be good to start solid foods as early as3 months. It may be possible however, to continuebreast feeding alone and have the baby less hungry or growing more rapidly.

Breast fed babies will digest solid foods betterand earlier than artificially fed babies becausethe breast milk will contain enzymes which helpto digest fats, proteins, and starch. Breastfed babies will also have had a variety of different tastes in their life, since the flavorsof many foods the mother eats will pass into hermilk.

Introducing solid foodsWhen the baby begins to take solid foods at theage of 5 - 6 months, there is very little differencewhat he starts will or what order it is introduced.You should however, avoid spicy foods or highlyallergenic foods at first, although if your baby reaches for the potato on your plate, youshould let him have it if it isn't too hot.

Offer your baby the foods that he seems to beinterested in. Allow your baby to enjoy the foodand don't worry too much about how much he takesat first, as much of it may end up on the flooror in his hair anyhow.

The easiest way to get iron for your baby at 5 - 6 months of age is by giving him meat. Cereal forinfants has iron, although it is poorly absorbed and may cause your baby to get constipated.

(word count 441)

PPPPP