Introducing Solids
During your baby’s first year there will be a time when you have to start to wean her onto solid foods, although not before she’s four months, and possibly quite a bit later than that. Before this, your baby’s digestive tract is incapable of digesting and absorbing complex foods.
Breast milk (or its formula equivalent) is the only food that your baby needs in the early months, and if a baby is introduced to solids too young it can lessen her desire to suck. Breastfed babies will take less milk from your breasts, and you will respond by producing less milk. Either way your baby Will end up having an unsatisfactory diet for her needs.
When to Wean
As your baby grows, she’ll need to drink more and more milk or formula to maintain this growth. But your baby’s stomach can only hold a certain amount of milk at each feeding; eventually, she will reach a point when she’s drinking to full capacity at each feeding, but still doesn’t have enough calories for her needs. Your baby will let you know that she needs more to eat by a change in her feeding habits. She may start to demand more milk and appear very unsatisfied after each feeding, or she may start demanding a sixth feeding, having previously been quite content on five. A classic case is a baby who has been sleeping through the night starting to wake for a night-time feeding. This is the time to introduce solids. Many babies do this at around four months, when their intense desire to suck lessens, though it can be later. You should be aware of the sign that your baby gives you, and be ready to follow her lead for the introduction of solids. The first tooth, if it appears at or after six months definitely indicates the need for solids.
Giving The First Solids
Have a small amount of prepared food on hand and then settle in your normal position to feed the baby. Although your baby is ready for the calories solids provide, she will still prefer what she knows is satisfying - milk or formula. Start by feeding her from one breast or giving half the usual bottle. Then give her one or two teaspoons of food. Begin with the mid day meal when your baby is not ravenous but is wide awake and more cooperative. Never force your baby to take more food than she wants. When she’s taken the solid food, give her the rest of the milk. Once she becomes used to solids, she may prefer to take them first.
As soon as your baby is having any quantity of solid food she will need water as well as milk or formula to drink. Start her off with 1/2 ounce (15 milliliters) of water or very dilute fruit juice between and after feedings, and whenever she’s thirsty. Give no more than four ounces total of juice and water per day through the first year; she should still be getting most of her nutrition from breast milk or formula. Avoid soda, drinks containing alcohol, and any drinks with added sugar, saccharin, or aspartame as these will damage your baby’s teeth and may encourage her to develop a sweet tooth.
Spoonfeeding
Giving the food Halfway through her normal breast or bottle feed, scoop up some food on a small spoon and insert it gently between her lips. Don’t push the spoon in too far or your baby may gag. She may take a month or so to get used to using a spoon. Your baby may push more food out than she takes in. Gently scrape the excess onto her lips; she will turn away once she’s had enough.
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