Offering an infant his first solid food can be an exciting time for any parent. Whether breastfed or formula-fed, an infant will need the addition of complementary foods such as rice cereal to help her body meet the nutritional demands of rapid growth and development.
Iron Needs
By six months of age, infants have depleted the storage supply of iron they had from birth. While iron in infant formula will help meet this iron need, the introduction of iron-fortified cereal is especially important for breastfed infants.
Signs of Readiness
Most infants are developmentally ready to start eating cereal around 4 to 6 months. In order to eat solid foods, an infant needs to be able to sit up and hold his head up. Relaxation of the tongue-thrust reflex is also important. This automatic reflex that pushes food out as soon as it hits her tongue helps prevent the infant from choking on foreign objects. This reflex goes away on its own around six months of age.
Getting Started
Securely place the infant in a high chair during feeding time. Pick a time when there is the least amount of stress and no need to rush. It is ideal for the infant to be hungry but not starving as a crying, unhappy infant will not make a great mealtime companion. Start with a single ingredient cereal such as rice cereal without any added grains or fruit.
Wait a few days before trying new foods so as to be better able to identify possible food allergies. Serve the cereal with a spoon and mix it with breastmilk or formula. Start out with a thin consistency and gradually make it thicker as the infant is able to tolerate it. One general plan is to mix 1 tbsp. of cereal with every 4 to 5 tbsp. of breast milk or formula.
Feeding Cues
It is important to recognize hunger and satiety cues in infants. An infant that turns her head toward the spoon and opens her mouth is displaying a desire to eat more while an infant who closes her mouth and turns her head away is signaling an end to the meal.
Next Steps
Continue to offer single ingredient cereals and introduce different varieties of vegetables, fruits and meats. After a few months, the infant should have a varied diet spread throughout the day. Don't be discouraged if foods are rejected by the infant the first time they are offered. It can take a few trial runs before an infant will consume a new food. Discuss the infant's progress and feeding plan with a doctor so that everyone is on the same track when it comes to the infant's health and well being.
Member Comments