Introducing Solid Foods To Baby: 7 Tips For New Parents

1. INTRODUCING SOLID FOODS TO BABY: 7 TIPS FOR NEW PARENTS The first year of a baby’s life changes from month to month. The enzyme for digestion generally starts to work as the baby is four to six months old. This is why doctors worldwide suggest that for the first six months, the baby should be fed mother’s milk exclusively. However, if your paediatrician thinks that your baby is ready for solid food, you can start introducing solid food to them by the fourth month. But before you start looking to buy baby cereal online, here are some important tips you should know. Before the tips, the most important thing to know is, as said before, consulting the baby’s doctor. The paediatrician is best suited to tell you if your child is ready for solid food or not. No two children are the same, so don’t start feeding solid food to your baby because other mothers you know are doing it. •The first important tip is regarding what kind of food to start with. The most important thing is to start with just a single type, whether it be grains like rice or vegetables like carrot or fruit like apple. Don’t mix food groups at the start. The first food to start with is a fruit because they have digestive enzymes which will help the

2. baby digest better. Banana is an excellent choice as it can be mashed easily and is full of micronutrients. Cooked apple mash is another solid food you can start with. •New food should be introduced at a gap of one week once the baby is showing signs of successfully digesting the fruits. Grains like rice can be rest and it should be cooked to a very thin-water like consistency. If you are thinking of introducing pulses then clear dal water is a good option. For introducing vegetables, start with vegetable broth or water. •Once you have fed the baby a new type of food, wait for 3 days to see if the baby can handle that food or not. If on the fourth day the baby shows any discomfort or symptoms, stop the food and consult the baby’s doctor. •Another important thing to keep in mind when introducing new food to babies is that it should always be done for breakfast or lunch. It will then give the baby ample time to digest the new type of food. Never give the baby solid food later in the day as it can lead to digestion problems. •Next comes the question of quantity. Feed your baby with a small amount at the start and increase slowly. At first, the solid food should be about a tsp or more. By 4 weeks it should be a tablespoon or more depending on the baby’s feeding chart. •A 6-month old baby who is breastfeeding generally feeds every 2 to 3 hours. Solid food should be given in between these feeds. When making the food, make sure you follow health guidelines. Make sure the area is clean and the utensils sterilized. Always use glass or stainless steel utensils to make baby food and not plastic, even BPA-free ones. The water used should be boiled and cooled water. Don’t mix fruit with milk as it can result in indigestion. You can always make baby food online, but if you are a busy mom, you can look to buy organic baby food online.Choose brands that don’t use any kind of preservatives, use Indian grains like ragi and are certified as organic. Source:- https://www.homify.co.uk/ideabooks/8663811/introducing-solid-foods-to-baby-7-tips-for-new-parents •