As your baby grows, you may be wondering when it's time to start introducing solid foods. While every baby is different, there are some general signs that can indicate when your little one is ready to take the first step in their culinary journey.
Signs of readiness:
They can sit up: Your baby needs to be able to sit up on their own, with support, before they can start eating solids.
Interest in food: If your baby is watching you eat or reaching for your food, it may be a sign that they are ready to start trying solid foods.
They have good head and neck control: Your baby should be able to hold their head steady and upright to prevent choking.
They are able to pick things up and move them to their mouth: an emerging pincer grasp is a term used to describe this.
They are at least 6 months old: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until your baby is at least 6 months old before introducing solid foods.
They have doubled their birth weight: Most babies are ready for solids when they have doubled their birth weight. This usually happens around 4-6 months of age.
Now, let's talk about the myth of rice in bottles. Some parents believe that adding rice cereal to their baby's bottle will help them sleep longer at night. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against putting anything other than breast milk or formula in a baby's bottle.
There are several reasons why adding rice cereal to a bottle is not recommended. First, it can increase the risk of choking. Second, it can fill up your baby's stomach too quickly, leading to overfeeding and potential weight gain issues. Finally, it can interfere with the natural feeding process, which includes learning to eat from a spoon and developing proper chewing and swallowing skills.
Instead of adding rice cereal to your baby's bottle, wait until they are ready for solid foods. Offer a small amount of food at first, and gradually increase the amount as your baby becomes more comfortable with eating.
A great resource for starting solids can be found at: https://solidstarts.com/ Here you will find an AMAZING resource on how to introduce real foods to your baby.
It's important to watch for signs of readiness before introducing solid foods to your baby. And while the myth of rice in bottles may seem tempting, it's important to stick to the recommendations of medical professionals and wait until your baby is developmentally ready to start exploring the world of food.
About the author: Kellie Green is a certified and licensed Speech Pathologist, as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), who specializes in infant feeding. She operates a private practice in Columbus, OH, Green Living & Wellness.