Introduction of Solid Food to Babies: When and How to Introduce Solid Foods
This resource is very useful for parents having a baby less than 1 year old. This article gives you an information about when to start a solid food, how to start a solid food and type of solid food for babies.
Get to know how to start with solid food for babies, right time for introducing solids and also what type of solid foods can be given.The Need for Solid Foods
The best food for baby is breast milk which is a complete source of nourishment until four months of age. Baby can start with solids at around 4 to 6 months of age. Solid food is necessary because after sixth month there will be a depletion of iron from the body. Doctors will prescribe an iron drops to restore the lost iron. Since the baby starts growing it needs extra nutrients and only giving mother feeding will not be sufficient for the baby.How to identify that the baby is ready for solid food?
1. Baby shows an interest while we take food. It will be eager to see the foodstuffs on our plate.
2. Baby wakes up often from sleep. He/she cannot have a sound sleep because the milk is insufficient.
3. Baby does not show any weight gain when compared with the previous records.
4. Baby shows chewing movements.
All the above signs will let you know that your baby is growing and is in need of solid food.What foods to be given for an Easy Baby Food Start?
1. Start with a little amount of solid food well-mixed with water. The consistency should be slightly thicker than milk. After a week or so you can reduce the water level and make it thick.
2. You can start with cerelac, a type of rice cereal. Rice cereal is the best because it will never cause any allergy.
3. You can also start with Ragi in powder form.
4. Health mix or Satthumaavu in tamil can be started after 2 to 3 weeks of giving cerelac. Start with 1 tsp of manna health mix mixed with 3 tbsp of milk. Gradually you can increase to 2 to 3 tbsps. Be careful while introducing new solid foods because sometimes it may cause vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Introducing Vegetables for babies: You can boil and mash the following vegetables in the form of a puree and can be given to babies. They are (1) potatoes, (2) carrots, (3)sweet potato, (4) green peas and (5) beans.
6. Introducing Fruits for babies: Mashed ripe banana, pears and boiled apples can be given.
7. Easum, baby food available in medical shops, is a combination of rice and moong dal in the form of powder.
8. Start finger foods. Finger foods are nothing but any fruit or vegetable which is cut into small pieces. You can also give bread slice or biscuits.
9. Idli, Aappam or idiaappam mixed with milk and sugar can also be given as solid food.
10. Fry Badam and cashewnuts in a tawa, cool and grind this in a mixer. You can add this powder with cerelac, easum or health mix to give extra energy to the baby.
