A baby typically will provide clear clues that signal his readiness to begin eating solid foods. As his body develops improved motor skills and adjusts to sitting with greater ease, it requires more nutrients to function and continue growing. While every baby develops at a different pace, most begin solid foods about the same time.
Timeline
Most babies begin solid foods between 4 months old and 6 months old. According to J. Anderson with Colorado State University, breast milk and iron-fortified formula provide the typical infant with all the nutrients he needs prior to 6 months old, even though some babies demonstrate signs they are ready for solid foods as early as 4 months old. Between 4 months old and 6 months old, semi-solid cereals work best, but babies older than 6 months old may receive more pureed fruits, vegetables and proteins. The KidsHealth website recommends avoiding fruit juice until the child is 6 months old.
Signs and Clues
Some babies develop quicker than others and demonstrate signs they are ready for solids earlier than others. According to MayoClinic.com, the two most important requirements are your baby's ability to hold his head steady and upright and his ability to sit up with support. If your infant also shows an interest in the food you eat, he might be giving you a clue about his own readiness to progress to solid foods. Watch your baby as he eats his first solids to ensure that he can close his mouth around the spoon and swallow the new food.
Risks of Starting Early
Starting your baby on solids too early can have several negative effects on his health. Dr. Jay L. Hoecker explains on MayoClinic.com that an early start increases your baby's risk of obesity and could cause him to get too few or too many calories. Starting early also increases your child's risk of aspiration if he lacks the necessary motor skills to swallow solid food.
Risks of Starting Late
Starting your baby on solids too late in life could also have a negative impact on your child's health. Hoecker explains that babies who start solids after 6 months of age often experience delays in growth and oral motor functions. Starting late may also cause your baby to have an aversion to solid foods, and breast-fed babies may even develop an iron deficiency.
Early Foods
Start your baby on single-ingredient foods like iron-fortified baby cereal. Mix the cereal with breast-milk or formula while he learns to swallow, gradually reducing the amount of liquid you add as he begins swallowing with less effort. Once your baby demonstrates a mastery of cereal, introduce pureed fruits, vegetables and meats to his diet. Continue feeding him single-ingredient foods, waiting five days in between new foods, in order to monitor your baby's reaction to each new ingredient. In doing so, you can notice if his digestive system has a negative reaction to a certain food.
References
- KidsHealth: Breastfeeding FAQs: Solids and Supplementing
- Colorado State University Extension; Introducing Solid Foods to Infants; J. Anderson; August 2008
- MayoClinic.com; When's the Right Time to Start Feeding a Baby Solid Foods?; Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.; June 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Solid Foods -- How to Get Your Baby Started; June 2011
