STARTING SOLID FOODS

Starting Solid Foods

First, let it be clear that breast milk is the best food infants can ever have. It is all they will ever
need until they reach the age of about four months. But beyond this period, or even earlier for
some babies under exceptional physical conditions, it is possible that breast milk may no longer
suffice for their overall nutrition needs. By the time normally growing babies turn six to nine
months, they will need iron from other food sources. It is time for them to explore menus that
include solid foods.

Babies who have not tried eating solid foods by that time are likely to experience difficulty in
accepting such foods when they reach nine to twelve months old. So if you are a nursing
mother, you might as well let your babies get the hang of it in time. It is a sign of advancement
when babies begin eating solid foods; it means the child is growing up.

When is the ideal time to start solid foods? There really is no hard and fast rule as to when
babies ought to start solid foods. The clue comes from babies themselves: that is, when they
begin to show interest in solid foods. For example, by four months old some babies may begin
to look interested in solid foods on the plate of parents. When they turn five or six months, they
begin to try reaching out and grabbing some solid foods. This can be the time to let the baby go
ahead and take some bite.

In some cases, it may also be a good idea to have babies start taking in solid foods at an earlier
age, say at three months old. This is when they seem to get hungry easily or when they are not
gaining weight at a normal rate. But if this can be addressed eventually by normal breastfeeding,
breast milk alone remains as the best alternative.

Babies nursed with breast milk absorb solid foods more efficiently and effectively than those
who are fed with processed milk. Enzymes found in mother's milk help digest proteins, fats and
starch easily. Breast feeding also allows babies to benefit from a variety food tastes; breast milk
assimilates the flavor from various kinds of foods the mother takes in.

The moment the baby does begin to eat solid foods at about five to six months old, be wary of
introducing him or her to spicy or allergenic foods. But you may not prevent him or her from
having some potato from your plate when he or she reaches for it, unless it is very hot. Offer the
baby with the food that catches his or her fancy. Let him or her enjoy it; do not worry about how
much food he or she can take as most of it will fall down to the floor anyway.

The best source of iron intake for your baby at five to six months old is meat. Let him or her
digest some, but in very small quantities at first, just to get the baby's systems going and well
adjusted to it and other solid foods. Cereal for kids has iron too, but be warned that it is harder
to absorb and may induce constipation.