Shifting an infant to solid foods is an achievement for both babies and mothers. Infants take milk only for the first six months only; after that, the baby needs to be introduced to solid foods that are good in taste and healthy too to have adequate nutrients for development and growth. Learning to eat solids is also an essential milestone for babies, and by making them eat solids, babies are introduced to new textures and tastes from different types of food.
Eating solids develop the jaws and teeth, and this help builds the skills which they need later in life to develop language. Generally, mothers are excited about these milestones, but some are overly excited, and others are totally lost about what to do and how to do it. While you are about to start the solid foods, many people from the left, right, and center will give you bits of advice, so you need to be very careful only to take expert advice which is good and serve the purpose.
Signs to introduce solid foods
When will the baby have solids varies from person to person because all babies have milestones at the time of their own some start early, while others have a little later. There are a few certain signs which show that your child is ready to have solids. Mostly, babies start showing such signs after six months but doctors advise not to give any solid foods to the kids before four to six months.
- Reaches out for the food
- Baby is able to sit right up
- Opens the month if food is offered
- Shows interest in food by grabbing it
- Baby has good neck and head control
The greatest time to introduce solid foods
So, now both mother and child are ready to step into the new milestone but choose a time when both are relaxed and in a good mood. Don’t feed them when they are extremely hungry or frustrated, as this is the time when they don’t want to try new food because they know that only milk is going to satisfy their hunger. Don’t push them if you see these signs, as these are no longer interested signs.
- Getting distracted
- Not opening mouth
- Turning head away
- Pushing away the spoon
- Weeping uncontrollably
Quick Tip for Solid Foods
When you are introducing solid foods, you need to follow some guidelines to make sure what your baby liking/disliking and what your baby is allergic to.
- Start with the small quantity
- Be patient during the feeding
- Let the child choose the pace
- Every day introduce new food
- Keep in mind liking and disliking
- Avoid chunky or fiber-based food
Types of Solid Foods for babies
When you are making solid foods, for babies make sure the food is full of nutrients and iron-rich solid foods. Some of the foods for babies are;
- Minced meat
- Fish or poultry
- Mashed potatoes
- Instant rice cereals
- Boiled mashed eggs
- Mashed banana or apple
- Flavored yogurt and cheese
If you have babysitters in Dubai at home, you need to give clear instructions to the babysitters in Dubai about the solid foods that when, and how much should be given. At Yes Maam, our babysitters in Dubai, are certified, well experienced, and able to help mothers in need with all the millstones. Go slow with the babies introduce one food at a time so that with the passage of time baby will start eating more solid food and will depend less on formula milk.
Written By
Momna Aziz
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