Breast milk or formula is all your baby needs in her diet for the first six months of life. After that time, your baby needs additional nutrition from solid foods. Before this time, introducing solid foods is a choice. If your baby is at least 4 months old and shows the signs she is willing and able to handle solids, she may graduate from the liquid-only diet. Talk with your baby's pediatrician about the right time line for her.
Physical Abilities
Your baby's physical abilities indicate when she is ready to eat solid foods without choking. These abilities include head control and sitting well when supported. When offered food, she must be able to make the proper chewing motions and then swallow the food. If your baby still has her tongue-thrust reflex, meaning she pushes food out of her mouth with her tongue, she is not ready to begin solid foods.
Readiness Signs
In addition to the physical abilities to prevent choking, look for signs your baby is willing to eat solids. Even if your baby has the physical ability to chew, she may not be interested in solids, and you shouldn't push them on her. Readiness signs include your baby's appetite and weight gain. If your baby has doubled her birth weight, and she seems hungry after at least eight feedings, she may be ready to move beyond the bottle or the breast. If your baby begins reaching for your food when you eat, her interest shows a readiness for solids.
Food Allergies
If your baby has one first-degree relative with an allergic disorder, she is at risk of developing an allergy. Allergic disorders include food allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. While exclusive breastfeeding from birth to at least 4 months decreases your infant's chances of developing a food allergy, delaying solid foods past 4 to 6 months of age does not seem to prevent food allergies, according to the Kids Eat Right website. Avoiding fish, eggs and peanuts after 4 months also does not appear to prevent allergies against these foods.
Feeding Process
When your baby is ready to begin solids, introduce one food at a time, served on a baby spoon. The order you introduce foods does not matter. Traditionally, doctors recommended giving a single-grain baby cereal first, but starting with pureed fruits and vegetables or jarred baby foods is fine, too. Wait at least three days to introduce the next food. Watch for signs of a food allergy, including diarrhea, vomiting, rashes and irritability. Avoid anything your baby could choke on, such as foods that are firm, sticky or hard to chew.
