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Changing Feeding Patterns - When to Start Solids Get out the video camera and extra bibs – this is going to be messy! Solids are usually introduced sometime between 4 and 6 months of age. Your baby is born with a tongue reflex that will make him push out a spoon or other objects put in his mouth so your first attempts will probably not be too successful. Allow him to experiment by giving him small bites from a spoon; you may also try to give him a spoon of his own to explore this new way of eating. Don’t expect him to gulp down a heaping bowl the first few feedings, take time to let him become familiar with this new activity and accustomed to new tastes. He will let you know if he is interested in this new venture as he experiments with the first spoonfuls. There is no need to push him or make him eat solids if he is not ready and willing to try. If he doesn’t take to it the first time, don’t get frustrated, allow him to try again tomorrow and continue to breast or bottle feed the rest of the day. Before you begin, have the appropriate feeding supplies to make this transition easier for both baby and mom: The right size and shaped spoon that fits baby’s tiny mouth is important for easy feeding (some spoons even offer the tip with color change to signal when food is too hot to serve baby) Bibs – you can never have enough bibs – large sized bibs help to keep baby cleaner and vinyl bibs are great for easy surface cleaning and usually include a crumb catcher pocket to minimize mess on the floor Bowls with a non skid suction base keeps the bowl in it’s place and not on the floor A mat under the highchair protects your floor against spills and stains and makes for easier clean up Start him with baby rice cereal mixed with breast milk, formula or water. Make sure the consistency is not too thick and make it slightly warm like your breast milk or formula. If your baby is too hungry and becomes frustrated with being spoon fed you can try nursing or bottle feeding, work in some cereal half way through the feeding, and then finish with his milk feeding if needed. Once your baby has adapted to eating rice cereal you can introduce him to other varieties of food. There is a vast selection of jarred baby foods available in many choices to suit your baby’s preferences from vegetables, meats and fruits. You can also mash cooked carrots, potatoes or bananas. Once your baby masters the skill of spoon feedings and he can sit up on his own, introduce finger foods. To prevent choking, make sure the food is small and easily dissolves in his mouth. Since everything you put in your baby’s mouth is new to his system you should wait 2-3 days before introducing a new food to watch for allergic reactions. After 3 months of starting solids your baby’s daily intake should include 3 servings of breast milk or formula, cereal, meats, fruits and vegetables. Good luck and enjoy this new milestone in your baby’s life! *Quick Tip for Starting Solids* Do not become frustrated if your baby does not show interest in eating solids the first few times you try. Continue to breast feed or bottle feed the remainder of the day and try again the next day. It may take several attempts before he is ready and willing to learn. *Bonus Tip* – allow baby to sit at the table during family meals – he will learn faster by observing how the family enjoys meal time! ---We recognize that there are many differing opinions on the subject matter we cover. The information we provide on this site reflects the practices and perspectives of many leading child development experts. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or for your own opinions. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.---