Starting Solid Foods
By Dr. Brown
The doctor will help you decide when its appropriate to start your infant on solid foods. There has been quite a bit of "flux" in recommendations for solid food introduction. There is also controversy as to the appropriate time to start solid foods. Please have this discussion with your doctor.
Cereal has been the usual starting food, although you can start with vegetables. When starting, I usually recommend starting rice cereal because it's hypoallergenic and doesn't have a strong taste. Buy some cereal in a box and prepare it in a cup, bowl, or mug so that you can use a spoon. Mix the cereal with breast milk formula, water, or diluted juice. Instructions are on the box, but initially make it watery and then experiment; some babies like thicker or thinner consistency. Feed your baby whenever its either most convenient for you or the baby seems most receptive. Give your baby as much as he or she wants - it may be two teaspoons or ten; let the baby tell you. Your baby should be sitting supported upright. Its going to be messy - be prepared! Initially when learning to take from the spoon, make sure its not when your child is starving, otherwise the baby might get frustrated and not take the spoon. Once your child is a "pro", start that feeding with the solid and then "top-off" with formula or breastmilk. Once your baby is doing well with the cereal, move it to breakfast time so that you can begin jar foods for dinner. I usually suggest starting vegetables before sweet tasting fruits. The yellow-orange vegetables (carrots, squash, sweet potatoes are usually accepted better than the greens. Whenever you start a new food, continue and don't start another food within 2-3 days so that you can watch out for any reactions.
The doctor will help you decide when its appropriate to start your infant on solid foods. There has been quite a bit of "flux" in recommendations for solid food introduction. There is also controversy as to the appropriate time to start solid foods. Please have this discussion with your doctor.
Cereal has been the usual starting food, although you can start with vegetables. When starting, I usually recommend starting rice cereal because it's hypoallergenic and doesn't have a strong taste. Buy some cereal in a box and prepare it in a cup, bowl, or mug so that you can use a spoon. Mix the cereal with breast milk formula, water, or diluted juice. Instructions are on the box, but initially make it watery and then experiment; some babies like thicker or thinner consistency. Feed your baby whenever its either most convenient for you or the baby seems most receptive. Give your baby as much as he or she wants - it may be two teaspoons or ten; let the baby tell you. Your baby should be sitting supported upright. Its going to be messy - be prepared! Initially when learning to take from the spoon, make sure its not when your child is starving, otherwise the baby might get frustrated and not take the spoon. Once your child is a "pro", start that feeding with the solid and then "top-off" with formula or breastmilk. Once your baby is doing well with the cereal, move it to breakfast time so that you can begin jar foods for dinner. I usually suggest starting vegetables before sweet tasting fruits. The yellow-orange vegetables (carrots, squash, sweet potatoes are usually accepted better than the greens. Whenever you start a new food, continue and don't start another food within 2-3 days so that you can watch out for any reactions.