Introducing Solid Foods To Infants

Introducing solids, also known as complementary feeding or weaning, is a crucial developmental milestone for your baby. While it can be a joyous experience, it also comes with its challenges for parents. Many mums find it confusing to determine when and how they should start introducing solid foods.

During the first 6 months, breast milk or formula supplies all essential nutrients for your baby. Breastfeeding offers added benefits such as immune protection. This timeframe is crucial for your baby's digestive system maturation, setting the stage for introducing solid foods around 6 months. It's advised not to introduce foods before your baby reaches 4 months of age.^1,2

If you are about to start giving your baby solids foods, this article will provide essential information on introducing complementary foods.

Signs your baby is ready for solid foods

You can look for these signs to know if your baby is ready for solid foods:^3,4

• Your baby can sit up alone or with support and control their head and neck steadily
• They can coordinate their eyes, hands, and mouth to pick up food or open their mouth when offered food
• They can swallow their food rather than push it back out. If your baby pushes food back out, it's a sign that they're not ready for solid foods

Some behaviours are sometimes mistakenly assumed by parents as signs that their baby is ready for solid foods. If you start solid foods based on these signs, it's unlikely to make them sleep through the night. Sometimes, you can simply give them a little extra milk while waiting until they are ready for weaning. These behaviours include:^3,4

• Wanting extra milk feeds
• Chewing their fists
• Waking up more at night

Getting started with solids

First foods

You can begin by introducing your baby to single-ingredient foods initially. This approach helps identify any potential issues such as allergies, diarrhoea, or vomiting. After 3-5 days, introduce another food, and continue this process. During this period, you can also introduce potentially allergenic foods, including cow's milk products (such as yoghurt)(cow’s milk should only be introduced after 12 months), eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame. Once single-ingredient foods are introduced, you can gradually offer combinations.²

Start slowly

Offer small amounts of food and gradually increase the quantity. Don't worry if your baby doesn't eat much initially; allow them to dictate their pace and indicate when they're hungry or full. They need time to learn about food and develop their chewing skills as they become more familiar with different flavours and textures. The key during this weaning phase is to gradually introduce your baby to a variety of new tastes and textures. After introducing pureed or blended foods, progress to mashed, lumpy, or finger foods as soon as they can handle them.⁴

Preparing the foods

Once you start introducing solid foods at the age of six months, try foods that are easier to eat, such as mashed, pureed, or strained with a very smooth texture. Avoid adding salt and sugar (including stock cubes and gravy) to your baby's food or water. Adding salt to your baby's food may harm their kidneys as they cannot handle it. Sugar can also cause tooth decay in your baby. Higher sugar and salt intake in childhood may also influence their food preferences as they become accustomed to high levels of sweetness and saltiness, which can impact long-term health.^4,5

Here are the types of foods you can give to your baby

• Start with pureed, blended, or mashed single vegetables and fruits. Consider soft-cooked vegetables or fruits like parsnip, sweet potato, potato, and carrot. Explore soft fruit options like melon, banana, or avocado. You can also introduce baby rice or cereal mixed with your baby's usual milk. Incorporate small amounts of protein such as chicken, meat, fish, eggs, or lentils, as well as starchy foods like rice and cereals, and dairy products such as unsweetened yoghurt
• In the next stage, most babies can handle finger foods in small portions. Offer soft fruits, cooked vegetables, meat, or dry crackers. As your baby progresses, they will gradually transition to three meals a day consisting of a mixture of finger foods, mashed, and chopped options^1,3,7

Important nutrient: Iron

Iron is one of the most crucial nutrients for infants, as it plays a vital role in their development. Ensuring that your baby receives enough iron-rich foods is essential to prevent issues like anaemia, particularly for premature infants. Iron deficiency during early life can also lead to long-term neurodevelopmental problems. Therefore, it's important to incorporate iron-rich foods into your baby's complementary diet to support their health and development.^8,9

These are good sources of iron you can give  to your baby:^1,6

• Red meat, such as beef, pork, lamb
• Green leafy vegetables
• Iron-fortified cereals
• Pulses (beans and peas)

Foods to be avoided

• Foods that potentially can cause them to choke, such as whole nuts, seeds, or chunks of food
• Honey. It may contain Clostridium botulinum bacteria can cause a serious illness called Botulism
• Raw shellfish. It can increase the risk of food poisoning
• Cow's milk. It is not recommended for under 12 months
• Unpasteurized cheese or soft cheeses, may contain bacteria called listeria
• Shark, swordfish, or marlin due to high mercury levels that can affect the development of your baby's nervous system^1,6

Can I give my 4-month-old baby solid food?

The ideal time to start solid foods is around 6 months of age. However, some evidence suggests potential benefits in starting solids as early as 4 months. Nevertheless, it's crucial not to start before your baby reaches 4 months.

At 6 months, your baby begins to require additional nutrition, including essential nutrients like iron and zinc, which solid foods can provide. This age is also the right time to introduce your baby to the exploration of new tastes and textures.⁷

How to introduce solids to a baby for the first time?

You can begin by introducing single-ingredient foods, such as iron-fortified cereal purees, cooked vegetables, or small amounts of soft fruits or vegetables. Introducing one new food at a time allows you to monitor for any potential allergies or sensitivities.

Gradually, you can start combining ingredients and transition from smooth purees to thicker textures, such as mashed or finely chopped foods. This gradual progression helps your baby adapt to different textures and flavours while ensuring their safety and enjoyment.^3,6

When can babies have yoghurt?

You can begin introducing dairy products such as yoghurt to your baby's diet at six months of age. Opt for unsweetened yoghurt, as it's important to avoid added sugar and salt in your baby's diet at this stage. It is also advisable to not give cow's milk to your baby until they reach 12 months of age to ensure their nutritional needs are met and reduce the risk of potential allergies or digestive issues.⁶

How many times a day should I feed solid foods to my 6-month-old baby?

You can start by feeding your 6-month-old solids 2-3 times per day, offering around half a cup of soft food each time. Breast milk or formula should still be their main source of nutrition at this age.³

How do I trick my baby into eating solids?

• Choose a calm, relaxed time for feeding when your baby isn't hurried
• Seat your baby securely in a highchair or another safe, supervised spot
• Place a small amount of food on a soft, flat spoon
• Bring the spoon near your baby's mouth and wait for them to open before offering the food.
• Allow your baby enough time to suck or swallow the food
• If your baby refuses a new food, try again the next day
• Encourage exploration by letting your baby play with their food
• Introduce the spoon gradually, allowing your baby to hold it while you feed them¹⁰

Summary

• Introducing solid foods to your baby is recommended at the age of 6 months
• While starting solid foods, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding your baby for at least the first year
• When you start, offer your baby small amounts of food and gradually increase the amount, so by 9-12 months your baby is eating three healthy meals a day, plus some healthy snacks. Giving one food at a time at the early stage of weaning will help identify any allergies before offering a combination of ingredients
• Avoiding sugar and salt in complementary foods is important, and remember to include iron-rich foods in the diet
•  There is no one absolute way to introduce solid foods to your baby. You can start with smooth purees and mashed foods to lumpier foods alongside soft finger foods. Alternatively, you can try baby-led weaning, where you offer finger foods and allow your baby to feed themselves from the beginning or you might try a combination of both
• If your baby refuses new food, don’t force it. Just be patient and try again another time, allowing them to explore at their own pace