Different cultures have different ways of introducing solid foods to their infants. In the United States, standard practice is to feed breast milk -- or formula, if breast-milk is not available -- exclusively for the first six months; then introduce rice cereal. Once your baby is accustomed to rice cereal, you can branch out to other grains and begin to offer fruits and vegetables one at a time. Babies can eat cereal indefinitely, as long as you are feeding them a variety of other foods.
Evaluating Baby's Readiness
Breast milk or formula meets all of babies' nutritional needs for the first six months of life. Until about 4 to 6 months of age, babies simply do not have the muscle coordination to move solid food to the backs of their mouths for swallowing. When your baby reaches this age, you may wonder if it's time to pick up some rice cereal. The BabyCenter website offers some criteria for solid food readiness: Your baby should be able to hold his head upright and sit with a bit of support, and he should be showing interest in food. He should also be able to close his mouth around a spoon.Talk with your baby's pediatrician about whether it is time to start your baby on cereal.
Starting Baby on Cereal
When your pediatrician gives you the go-ahead to start feeding cereal, start with a very liquidy mixture -- about 4 or 5 tsp. of breast milk or formula for a teaspoon of cereal. Your baby may devour it enthusiastically, or she may spit it out in disgust. Give it time, but do recognize that it may be too early, especially if your baby is under 6 months of age and is consistently spitting the food out. Continue feeding your baby breast milk or formula as usual; these first meals are more to get your baby used to the idea of eating. Most pediatricians recommend starting with rice or another single-grain cereal to start, but feel free to try other grains if the first one isn't popular.
Introducing Other Foods
Mayo Clinic suggests that once your baby has mastered eating cereal, it is time to introduce pureed fruits and vegetables as well. This can happen any time between 4 and 6 months and even a bit later for some babies. You can still give your baby cereal, or even mix the cereal with fruits and vegetables if you like. Offer a single pureed fruit or vegetable and wait three to five days before offering another; if your baby has an allergic reaction to a food, you will know which one it was.
Finger Foods
From 8 to 10 months of age, your baby will be ready for finger foods. Be sure to choose very soft or easily dissolving foods at first, and always be sure that pieces are cut small enough for your baby. The majority of your baby's nutrition should still come from breast milk or formula until he is about 12 months old, at which time he will probably be eating cut-up or softened table food with the rest of the family. Eileen Behan recommends in her book "The Baby Food Bible" that even after 12 months, babies should receive four servings a day of grains like cereals, breads and pastas. Your baby can enjoy baby cereal, or move on to grown-up varieties like oatmeal or cream of wheat.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Solid foods: How to Get Your Baby Started; April 26, 2011
- BabyCenter; Age-by-Age Guide to Feeding Your Baby; April 2011
- "The Baby Food Bible: A Complete Guide to Feeding Your Child, from Infancy On"; Eileen Behan; 2008
