Starting your baby on solid foods

Giving solid food too early may cause your child to some serious illness such us respiratory illnesses, digestive upset, gas, constipation, food allergies, iron deficiency anemia, and future obesity.

Baby is ready to eat solid food when he:

  1. Showing interest in food
  2. If your baby can drink and swallow liquids with ease. According to Dr. Jim Sears, in the first four months the tongue thrust reflex protects the infant against choking. When any unusual substance is placed on the tongue, it automatically protrudes outward rather than back. Between four and six months this reflex gradually diminishes, giving the glob of cereal a fighting chance of making it from the tongue to the tummy
  3. If the baby has the ability to resist when he/she is full. It is important to have this ability to able to regulate the amount of food being given. When we, the parents, usually continue giving our baby food thinking that they are still hungry, this ability will help not only our baby from overeating, but us parents as well to stop feeding them.
  4. Ability to sit up and hold head up unassisted 

WHEN STARTING TO GIVE FOOD

Start slowly, with a tablespoon sized portion of the food you have chosen ti begin with. Baby may eat only 1/2 of the portion the very first time you begin solids. Don't fret if your baby does not "finish" a meal. Foods are more for practice than for nutrition.

RULES IN GIVING FOOD FOR SIX MONTHS OF AGE

  1. Give one group of food / drink at a time
  2. Give only newly cooked food / soup
  3. Give variety of food and juice
  4. Let the baby get used to the family's food.
  5. Let the baby get used to the fiborous consistency of the food.
  6. Food groups can be mixed together
  7. Make feeding a happy encounter
  8. This is not a milk substitute.
  9. Feed Once a day. 
Baby food doesn't have to come in store-bought jars, you can actually make your own yummy concoctions at home!

After baby has gotten used to the taste of vegetables, strained or pureed fruits are the next solid foods to introduce to him. Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals., particularly vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is essential for baby's cell and tissue development, and promotes better immune system and vision. On the other hand vitamin C is essential in the formation of collagen, which protects baby from scurvy. Fruits also contain fiver, which help regulate baby's bowel movements.

Bananas, papaya , apples, mangoes, and melons are the best fruits to start baby on, since they are easily digested, can be prepared easily, have low tendency to product allergic reactions, and are readily available in the local market. While citrus fruits likes oranges are very popular among Filipinos, it is more likely to cause allergies than other fruits, so best to avoid giving them to baby until he turns one.

SUGGESTED FOOD FOR 6 MONTHS

  • Pureed 
    • Avocado - Blend or Mash it with milk.
    • Pumpkin - Cut the pumpkin into small chunks, steam and blend. Can dilute with breast milk or formula milk (whatever your child is using). 
    • Sweet Potato - Steam the Sweet Potato then blend it with milk
  • Rice, barley, oat
  • apples
  • bananas
  • pears
  • green beans

SUGGESTED FOOD FOR 7-9 MONTHS

    • mashed peas
    • parsnip
    • avocado
    • peaches

SUGGESTED FOOD FOR 10 MONTHS

    • poultry
    • yogurt - remember to give plain yogurt, whole-milk, organic
    • butter

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