When your baby is between four and six months old, he may be ready to try solid foods. Once your baby can sit upright with support and hold his head steady, and you have his doctor’s approval, you can introduce him to infant cereal. Iron-fortified rice cereal, which is less likely than other grain cereals to cause an allergic reaction, is a good first food for your baby, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Step 1
Mix 1 tbsp. of infant cereal with 4 to 5 tbsp. of breast milk or formula, recommends the American Academy of Pediatrics. The mixture should be very runny. At this point, your baby is just getting used to the taste of the cereal and the process of eating from a spoon.
Step 2
Place your baby in an upright position. You can strap him in a highchair or upright infant seat, or you can just hold him in your lap.
Step 3
Put the spoon up to your baby’s lips, but do not force the food into his mouth. Let him smell, taste and get used to the new food. If he rejects the cereal at first, give him a little break and try again. If he continues to seem uninterested, wait a few days and try again.
Step 4
Offer your baby 1 tbsp. of cereal mixed with breast milk or formula once or twice a day at first. As your baby gets better at eating from a spoon, gradually reduce the amount of breast milk or formula to thicken the mixture.
Step 5
Increase the amount of cereal you offer your baby as he shows an interest in eating more. Once your baby gets used to eating cereal, he may eat 3 to 9 tbsp. per day, divided into two or three feedings, according to the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board. At this point, you can introduce cereals made from other grains, such as oats or barley.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your baby’s doctor if you have any concerns about introducing solid foods. Remember that your baby is still getting most of her nutrition from breast milk or formula, so it is not harmful if it takes her a while to warm up to other foods. Babies are messy eaters, especially when they are first learning to eat solid foods. Place a bib on your baby if you want to protect her clothes, and have burp cloths or paper towels available to clean up the mess.
- If your baby develops a rash or gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, after beginning a new food, contact her doctor. These can be symptoms of a food allergy.
Things You'll Need
- Iron-fortified infant rice cereal
- Breast milk or formula
- Tablespoon
- Small baby spoon
- Bowl
- Bib
- Cloth or disposable towel
Member Comments
twinsmomof4 July 9
Great article Shannon Cotton! Another great thing to have when feeding babies solid foods is the extra hand every parent needs. Check out the Help Yourself Feeding Solution. Baby food inserts direct, no bowls to clean. It GROWS with baby... as baby learns to self feed it is the perfect less mess option to independent feeding. Simply insert baby food into HY Feeding Solution, wrap a 'LIVESTRONG' promotional wrist band around the baby food container underneath, then suction the Help Yourself feeding solution to flat surface. Voila! Baby cannot remove the container! Manufacturered in the USA! BPA FREE & Phthalate Free made of antimicrobial materials that are direct food safe. Every baby food container fits. Ask for it at a retailer near you.
twinsmomof4 July 9
With our twins we used the Help Yourself Feeding Solution for feeding solid foods. You insert baby food containers direct or mix your cereal in the bowls provided. You can even use the 'LIVESTRONG' promo wrist bands when baby is ready to self feed. Just insert the baby food container into the feeding solution. Wrap the wristband around the rectangular baby food container or cup underneath, then suction the feeding solution to any flat surface. Great for less mess during independent feeding. Made in the USA too!
twinsmomof4 July 9
With our twins we used the Help Yourself Feeding Solution for feeding solid foods. You insert baby food containers direct or mix your cereal in the bowls provided. You can even use the 'LIVESTRONG' promo wrist bands when baby is ready to self feed. Just insert the baby food container into the feeding solution. Wrap the wristband around the rectangular baby food container or cup underneath, then suction the feeding solution to any flat surface. Great for less mess during independent feeding. Made in the USA too!