Starting Solids: Is Your Child Ready For Solid Food?

Being a first-time parent is often challenging as you are bombarded with facts and myths; especially on your child's diet. Listed below are several tips about giving your child his/ her first meal.

There are several myths that usually confuse first-time parents when it comes to feeding their babies. Some suggest that babies should only start eating solids at the age of six months. Pediatricians and health care professionals, however, suggest that babies can start eating solid food as early as four months.

According to Parents, pediatricians, the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggest that babies should start eating solids between four to six months old.

Though health care experts suggest that babies should be breastfed until they reach six months old, making them eat solids is good for their motor skills. It is important to ensure that your child is ready to try solid food. One of the most common signs that your baby is ready is when he/ she would grab the food off your plate.

Web Md also mentioned that babies are ready to try solids if they already know how to push the spoon back of her mouth. The moment that the baby can sit up on a high chair and is already strong enough to support his/her head, she can try solids already.

As for their iron intake, babies who are feeding on breast milk alone over the span of 6 months should be given iron through pureed meat or iron-fortified cereals. It was also noted that it is safe for babies to consume wheat, but only until they'd reach six months or older.

Contrary to popular claims that babies should stick to gluten free diet to prevent celiac diseases, it was mentioned that they should consume grains B-Vitamins. The food choices being given to babies should not be limited. As long as the pediatrician would give you the go signal, it is safe to introduce various food into their diet.