Tuesday, Jul 6, 2010Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby

There are as many opinions about when a baby should be introduced to solid foods as there are pediatricians and mothers. Each trust that his or her method is “the one.” I firmly believe that a doctor’s advice and a mother’s instincts should be merged on a case-by-case basis, and that common sense should be honored.

I’d like to share a story with you to make the point. During the early 1940’s, a tiny woman (under five foot tall) gave birth to a twelve pound son. This baby could not be pacified by her breast milk nor by formula in bottles. So the doctors instructed the nurses to feed this newborn mashed sardines. That’s amazing. The baby was filled up, quit crying and was soon resting peacefully. I’m confident this would not be recommended today, and yet, the child thrived.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding solids to babies between the ages of four and six months. Remember, these foods replace breast milk, which has more nutrition for the baby than the solid foods. By the age of four months, your baby will be producing saliva to aid in the digestion of solids. His throat muscles will be matured enough to swallow whole food. Until four months, your baby won’t have a way to tell you he’s had enough, as he can by simply stopping sucking when he’s breast feeding.

Some moms believe that solid foods will help the baby sleep through the night. I know you’re tired, but there is no scientific proof that early introduction of solids helps babies to sleep. We’ve all had to tough it out, but you will decrease your own milk production that you baby really needs by introducing solids too early in his life.

By the time your baby is six or seven months old, he will need to eat solid foods to help develop eating and chewing skills. You will be able to know when is the best time to begin feeding solids by looking for the same symptoms your pediatrician looks for:

• The baby is between four and six months old and had doubled the birth weight.
• The baby weighs around thirteen to fifteen pounds.
• Your baby is sitting up with light support.
• He can turn his head to refuse food.
• She breastfeeds up to ten times in a 24-hour period and wants more or
• She drinks up to 40 ounces of formula in a 24-hour period and wants more.
• She drinks or nurses more frequently than previously.
• He can place an object in his mouth.
• His sleeping periods are becoming shorter vs. longer

Which foods should be introduced first? Again, common sense plays a role here. My assistant’s grandson sucked on dill pickle slices at age four months because he was teething and inconsolable except by that cold pickle slice. Cereals are generally the first foods introduced. Next, mashed fruits and vegetables are generally recommended: bananas, avocado, sweet potato, and yogurt.

Babies begin by only taking in a few teaspoons. This is normal. They are getting used to the flavor and texture of the new foods, and their intake will vary due to the quantity of milk they get while nursing.

As the baby’s mother, using your common sense, knowing your baby, and weighing the input of your pediatrician, you will arrive at a plan of introducing solid foods that works well for your child. Feeding solids to your baby starts a whole new chapter in their lives.