Introducing Solid Foods To Babies:

Promo: Wondering when to introduce solid foods and which foods to give to your little one? See this guide! The first year of your baby’s life is filled with growth, changes, and excitement. Early solid food introduction is important not only for providing essential nutrients, satisfying hunger, and supporting growth, but also to reduce the risk of allergies. As you introduce foods, it is important to continue giving your child breast milk or formula to maintain a continued source of nutrition. Dr. Sima Stein, a board-certified pediatrician in San Jose, CA sees newborns and infants every day in her practice. Below are common questions and answers she addresses with parents regarding the introduction of solid foods.

When is my child ready to start eating solid foods?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months of age, though each child’s readiness depends on their individual development. Some children may be ready between 4-6 months of age if the infant has doubled their birth weight and weighs 13 pounds or more.
Additionally, physical signs your baby is ready for solid foods include being able to sit upright in a high chair with good head control, opening their mouth if food is offered, swallowing food rather than pushing it back out onto their chin, and their appetite increases despite more breastmilk or formula.

What foods should be introduced first?
The first foods you give your baby are your choice and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics do not need to be given in a specific order. It is however important to introduce one ingredient or food at a time every 3-5 days and watch for an allergic reaction including hives, mouth swelling, or vomiting.
There is no evidence to support postponing the introduction of potentially allergenic foods or an increased risk of developing an allergy when introduced between 4-6 months. Allergenic foods such as cooked eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, sesame, fish, shellfish and cow’s milk products such as yogurt or cheese should be introduced alongside infant cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains. If interested in reading further, studies published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and New England Journal of Medicine provide supporting evidence for these recommendations. Please note, if your baby
has severe eczema or a known egg allergy, please consult Dr. Sima Stein or other pediatrician prior to introducing peanuts.

How should solid foods be prepared?
The first solid foods should be cooked and finely pureed. The puree or mash can be mixed with breast milk, formula, or water if needed until smooth and easy to swallow. To start, you can try giving the baby breastmilk or formula followed by a teaspoon or two of food. If the child cries, turns away, or pushes the food back out onto their chin, go back to breastfeeding or bottlefeeding for now.

Introducing solid foods is a gradual process and many infants need to be exposed to new foods multiple times before acceptance. As your baby grows and gains comfortability with solids, research also supports exposing infants to a variety of flavors and textures.

Why is the introduction of solid foods important?
Solid foods provide essential nutrients to babies as the appetite increases and support healthy growth and development. The process of sitting in a chair, using a spoon, stopping when full, and trying new foods are also important experiences for children, as these feeding practices help to establish lifelong eating patterns and teach little ones healthy eating habits. Family meal times are also recommended as babies and toddlers are more likely to try and eat foods they see their family eating.  

What foods or drinks should be avoided in the first year of life?
Foods commonly associated with choking including nuts, grapes, raw carrots, hot dogs, and round candies should be avoided until approximately four years of age. Infants under the age of one should not be given honey due to risk of botulism. It is also recommended children under one year do not consume cow’s milk as it impairs the absorption of iron and can lead to a deficiency. Additionally, plant-based milks other than soy milk infant formula often do not meet an infant’s nutritional needs and are only recommended for babies unable to consume cow or soy milk products. In general when introducing solid foods, it is also recommended to avoid adding sugar, salt, and spices to cooked fresh foods.
If you have any other questions or concerns, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sima Stein today!