Introducing Solids for Babies

Babies grow and develop very quickly and the first year of life is usually full of exciting changes. As babies grow older, solid foods are required to meet their increasing nutritional and developmental needs. This is a great opportunity for them to explore new tastes and textures. According to NHMRC and ASCIA, infants should be offered a variety of foods of an appropriate texture and consistency at around 6 months but not before 4 months. [1,2]

How can I tell if my baby is ready for solids?

You can look for the following signs to see if your little one is developmentally ready for eating solids:

• Good head and neck control and able to sit in an upright position with support in a high chair

• Watching others eat and leaning forward when food is around

• Showing interest in food and reaching out to grab food and spoons

• Opening mouth when food is offered

At your first attempts to feed baby with solids, they may spit food out. It is normal as it takes time for baby to learn to eat. If your baby is upset, stop offering food. Choose a time when you and your baby are both calm and relaxed and try again another day.

What foods should I introduce first?

Talking about introducing solids, there is no specific order and you can introduce any new foods of the right texture in any order. The key is to include iron-rich foods as babies’ iron stores become low as they grow and iron is an essential nutrient for their growth and development. Also, baby should be offered a wide variety of nutritious foods with different colours, smells, textures and flavours. Recommended foods for baby that are nutritious and high in iron include:

• Iron fortified baby cereals

• Vegetables

• Fruits

• Meat

• Poultry

• Fish

• Well-cooked eggs

• Beans and lentils

Breastmilk and/or infant formula milk remains an important source of nutrition for babies during the first year of life. So please continue to breastfeed or formula feed while introducing supplementary solids

What should I do when introducing solids for my baby?

Every baby is different and there is no right or wrong way to introduce solids. When feeding your baby, try to balance the need for assistance with encouragement of self-feeding. Although babies can make a great mess when trying to feed themselves, this is a crucial learning process for them to develop food awareness, fine motor skills and independence.

Let your baby take the lead with eating and respond to their hunger and satiety cues. If they show signs of fullness e.g. turning their head or refusing to open their mouth, don’t keep trying to feed your baby and never force them to finish all the food on their plate. On the other hand, increase the variety and amount of food as your baby shows interest.

When your baby is eating, spend time to stay with them to encourage social interaction and learning about eating. Moreover, let them sit with the family at mealtimes and be a positive role model as baby learn to eat by watching other people.

What about common allergens?

Introducing common allergy causing foods might sound scary. However, offering allergenic solid foods to the baby before they turn 1 year old is important to help reduce their risk of developing food allergy. [2] This includes infants at high risk of allergy such as babies with family history of food allergy.

However, if your baby is already allergic to a particular food, DO NOT feed your baby with that food. Consult a paediatric dietitian and/or a paediatrician for individualised advice tailored for your child.

If unsure, please consult a healthcare professional for tailored advice. Here are general tips on how to introduce common allergens:

• Offer one new allergen at a time so it is easier to identify the problem food if an allergic reaction occurs

• Introduce the new allergen in daytime so that we could observe and seek support if an allergic reaction occurs

• Start with a small amount (e.g. 1/4 teaspoon) and gradually increase the amount if your baby is not having any allergic reactions

• Continue to include the allergen in baby’s diet at least twice per week if it is tolerated

• Never smear food on baby’s skin as this will not help to identify possible food allergies, instead it may cause skin irritation

• Stop feeding the allergenic food and seek medical advice from a doctor if an allergic reaction occurs

Allergic reactions usually occur quickly within minutes but they can take up to 2 hours or more.

Signs of a mild to moderate allergic reaction include:

• Swelling of face, lips and eyes

• Tingling in the mouth

• Hives or Welts anywhere on the body

• Stomach pain or vomiting

If you notice any of these symptoms or if you suspect your baby has a food allergy, stop feeding the food and seek medical advice from your doctor.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction (known as anaphylaxis) include:

• Swelling of tongue

• Swelling of throat (e.g. drooling, difficulty swallowing)

• Difficult or noisy breathing

• Wheeze or persistent cough

• Change in voice or cry

• Pale and floppy or collapse

Anaphylaxis is life threatening. If your baby has any signs of anaphylaxis, call triple-zero (000) for an ambulance immediately. For more information about first aid for allergic reactions, contact your maternal and child health nurse.

Wanting to know more about introducing solids for your little one? Check out our Instagram page and the team at Holistic Dietetics is here to support you to start your babies on solids, so contact us today!     

References:

1.  National Health and Medical Research Council. Infant Feeding Guidelines. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council; 2013. 26 p.

2. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Infant Feeding and Allergy Prevention. Australia: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy; 2016 [updated 2020].