Is your baby ready for her first bite? Whether it’s rice cereal or applesauce, received with a smile, grimace or spew, that first bite ushers your child into a whole new phase. Here’s the nitty gritty on what you need to know when your baby starts to nosh.
When should I start solid foods?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting solid foods no earlier than 6 months. This doesn’t mean that you have to start at 6 months — it’s also important to gauge if your child has the necessary motor skills. Your child should be able to sit up on his own, hold his head up, and be able to move food from the front of his mouth to the back in order to swallow. A recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that over 40% of the mother’s surveyed started their child on solids before 4 months old. Why is this problematic? John Hopkins University reports that babies who start solids earlier than 6 months are at a higher risk for food allergies and obesity.
What should my baby’s first bite be?
Traditionally, parents tend to use a single-grain cereal such as rice cereal or oatmeal as a baby’s first food, but the AAP says that there is no medical data that introducing foods in a certain order has any benefit. The same goes introducing vegetables versus fruits (some say that if you introduce sweet fruits first, your child will never like vegetables). What is valuable is introducing one new food at a time so that you can notice any reactions your child may have that may alert you to a food allergy or intolerance.
What gear do I need to prepare for this stage?
High chair: While many babies can sit up at 6 months, it is still important to have your child securely strapped into a high chair or held by another adult during feedings.
Bibs: Bibs are a must as learning how to eat is a messy task. Choose from waterproof bibs with a pocket like this guppy bib from Bumkins that will help keep your baby’s clothes from getting dirty or wet. Or go with an absorbent cloth bib like these organic ones which can also be used to wipe your baby’s face.
Infant-suitable spoons: You’ll be the one handling these spoons for the first few months to feed your baby. Look for spoons that have a small, soft tip. Once your baby learns how to grasp her own silverware, you can switch to spoons that have a bigger grip that are easier for little hands to hold like these Benders from Boon which also ingeniously allow you to bend the utensils to help your child get food to mouth more easily. Another fun alternative is a mesh feeder that allows you to put fruits or cooked vegetables in the mesh bag and let your little snacker suck, mush and gum the goodness out.
Camera: Because the faces are priceless!