Weaning A Baby Onto Solid Food

The best time to wean your baby onto solid food is at about age 6 months. This is because your baby's mouth will start to change around that time to help her cope with the transition. Another guide is to start when baby doubles in weight.

Before then your baby's digestive system and kidneys are able to cope only with breastmilk and formula. But don't leave it too late as baby may find it difficult to adapt to swallowing food, and she will need a balanced varied diet.

What You Will Need

• Bibs - and plenty of them! At first she will spit out more than she swallows and feeding will be very messy.
• Unbreakable bowls and spoons.
• Lidded containers for storing the food.
• A food processor. You could manage with a fork and a sieve, but the one thing you won't have plenty of is time, so a blender will make life easier.

You don't need a high chair, not at this stage anyway. Baby won't be able to hold her head up until about age 12 months, so feed her while she is in your lap or in a seat that supports her head.

Foods To Try And Some To Avoid

• Baby rice is usually the first solid for babies, it has a low protein content and is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Mix with milk (expressed breast milk or formula) to make the rice easier to swallow. Rice also has the advantage that it can be mixed with both vegetables and fruit, so after a few days, mix in a little puréed potato, vegetable or fruit. You may wish to start with vegetables to ensure she establishes a taste for savoury foods as well as the sweeter fruits.
• Foods to try include: potato, carrot, swede, parsnip, sweet potato; and apple, banana and pear. Cook where appropriate and purée. If the result is too dry or lumpy, add milk (breast milk or formula).
• Avoid cow's milk until she is about 12 months old. Other dairy products like cheese and yoghurt can be introduced after a month or so.
• Avoid soft-boiled eggs; nuts; blue-veined cheese; salt; sugar or sweeteners, including those found in fruit drinks and squashes; bread and pasta; and rusks.

The Transition

The move from milk to solid food can take place only gradually. At first, solids should take the place of one of the milk feeds. Then, over the next 3 or 4 months, introduce more solid food and cut down on the milk; and chop and cut food rather than purée after a few weeks.

Vegetarian

If you are vegetarian and want your baby to avoid meat and fish, this should not be a problem. The same nutrients present in meat are also available in other foods and you will be familiar with what is required for a balanced diet. However, if you are a vegan, your baby could miss out on certain vitamins as well as sufficient protein. Prolong breastfeeding as long as possible, and take expert advice on any necessary supplements.

Baby's In Charge

Of course no two babies are the same and there are no rules laid down regarding exact timing. Appetites vary too and your baby will tell you by her actions whether she needs to be 'topped-up' with a bottle of milk.

*******************************************************************

Author: Tony Luck who runs a website offering advice to moms-to-be and new moms. Included on the site is the Chinese Conception Chart which supposedly tells you whether the baby you are expecting will be a girl or boy.

---

The Top Diaper Bags for Stylish and Savvy Moms

Forget bears and bunnies. Today's diaper bags are all about... Read More

New Parents Rely on Other Moms & Dads to Prepare for Baby

When most new parents are preparing for the arrival of... Read More

Solving Baby Sleep Problems - Its Time to Sleep

If you're a parent with a young child then here's... Read More

Baby Shower Gifts Are Not All The Same

When one talk about shower baby gifts, it is clear... Read More

Should You Get Baby Shower Game Ideas for Free?

There are quite a few baby shower game ideas for... Read More

Family Baby Showers

The addition of baby number 2, 3, or 10 is... Read More

Baby Poems for Saying Whats On Your Heart

Baby poems and baby shower poems can express any sentiment.... Read More

Baby Shower Centerpieces That Double as a Gift!

Here you will learn how to make and where to... Read More

The Baby Stroller- How To Choose

You will need to begin gathering the things your baby... Read More

Basic Guide To Choosing Toys For Babies

A baby's only activities until the age of two months... Read More

Breast Feeding Basics For Your Newborn Baby

It is a myth that bottle-feeds and breast-feeding is equally... Read More

Baby Shower Food Items

Baby shower food items are one of the most important... Read More

Does Your Baby Necessarily Need Shoes?

When you came up with such question, what will be... Read More

Should Baby Bedding Be Tight or Loose?

Many parents already know that it is better not to... Read More

Baby Names - Choosing Trendy or Traditional

Lists of baby names are always fun to look at,... Read More

A History of Baby Names

The history of names is so ancient that no one... Read More

Most Important Decision of a Lifetime - What to Name Your Baby

Most people don't know the meaning of their name, but... Read More

Baby Shower Checklist for Planning a Baby Shower

Most shower checklists will suggest you start planning approximately four... Read More

Baby Shower for Second Baby

Having a shower for second baby used to be considered... Read More

Choosing Baby Names

Take Your Time The worst thing you could do when... Read More

Playing Baby Computer Games ? The New Parent-Child Tradition?

Imagine cuddling up with your small child to look at... Read More

Tips To Get Your Child To Stop Using A Pacifier

Limit the time you allow your child to use a... Read More

Best Baby Shower Invitation Ideas

The best baby shower invitation ideas help everyone to have... Read More

13 Donts on Child Safety

For years, we have been taught that 13 is an... Read More

Baby Shower Decorations

When decoration for a baby shower, there are a few... Read More

Free Baby Shower Invitations

Free baby shower invitations are the best! Everyone knows that... Read More

Why Convertible Cribs Make Sense

Who doesn't love cool gadgets that morph into dozens of... Read More

Why You Need to Teach Your Baby How To Swim

Many parents are discovering the art of teaching their baby... Read More

Sweep Away Colic Baby Crying with White Noise

It doesn't make sense does it? You do everything possible... Read More

Naming Your Baby - How to Get the Most out of Your Babynaming Ceremony

You've engaged a celebrant and you've picked the day. So... Read More

Baby Shower Games: The Good, the Bad and the Ugh!

Games can make or break a shower. The best can... Read More

How To Deal With Toddler Temper Tantrums

It's one of the few things your child can do... Read More

Baby Proof Your Home - Frequently Asked Questions

Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of... Read More