Baby's First Foods - What Do You Need to Know about Solids? Kendal

By  Supernanny Team 31/07/2007

Confused about when your baby might be ready to try solids and unsure about whether you’re reading his signs right? Solids mark a whole new stage for you and your child, so it’s not uncommon to feel a sense of trepidation about getting it right! Plus, you may hear conflicting advice from your Mum and well-meaning relatives about what what foods to offer your baby, and what age to offer them at. Read on to find the answers you’ve been looking for…

My Mum keeps saying she had me on solids at 3 months but I’ve heard babies shouldn’t have them until much later. Who’s right?

According to the Department of Health (DOH), 6 months is the ideal time (both the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of your baby’s life). A young baby’s digestive and immune systems aren’t sufficiently developed to handle solids when he’s under four months, and early weaning has been linked with food allergies and eczema (some research has also indicated a higher risk for diabetes in babies weaned too soon). Plus, a younger baby has a ‘tongue thrust’ reflex that makes him instinctively push things out of his mouth, so he may not be able to use his tongue to move solid food to the back of his mouth for swallowing and could gag.

Bear in mind too that your baby doesn’t actually need solids any earlier: breast or formula milk is sufficient to nourish him until he’s six months – it’s only after this time, when they're on the point of getting on the move, that most babies require more in the way of nutrients and calories. Giving him solids too soon will actually reduce the amount of breast or formula he consumes, which could shortchange him when it comes to nourishment.

What are the signs my baby might be ready for solids?

Look out for your baby appearing to be hungrier than usual and not settling so well after a feed. He may cry for extra feeds during the day and start to wake during the night looking for a feed after previously sleeping through (these signs often coincide with him doubling his birth weight or reaching around 15Ib in weight). He may also start to show an interest when he sees you eating, apparently trying to will the food out of your mouth and into his, or reaching out for it! Practicalities apply too: he needs to be able to sit up well when supported or in a highchair, and be capable of holding up his head.

How do I do it?

It’s a gradual process – remember your baby has to learn how to eat; it won’t necessarily come naturally to him. For your first try, offer him the breast or a little formula milk first, to take the edge off his hunger. Then offer some bland baby rice cereal, which is gluten-free and easy to digest. Mix it with breast or formula milk to the recommended consistency (as a rule, go with one teaspoon of cereal to four to five teaspoons of milk).

It’s a totally new experience for your baby, so take your time. He may not actually eat an...