When Your Doctor Says It Is Time to Start Solids

Most doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is 6 months of age to offer solid foods. Until that time, babies do not have full mouth and tongue control and will usually push solid food out of their mouths.

When you decide to feed your baby solid food, choose the right moment. Try it when your baby is rested, when she is hungry but not starved, and when you are relaxed.

The first solid food to give your baby should be an iron-fortified cereal in addition to breast milk or infant formula. Choose a single ingredient infant cereal such as rice (least likely to cause allergies), oatmeal, or barley. Put a teaspoon of infant cereal in a dish and mix it with breast milk or formula to a watery consistency. Don’t add sugar or salt or any other seasoning. For the first few weeks, offer the cereal once or twice a day after the breast or bottle feeding.

Use a small, narrow spoon. Put a small amount toward the middle of your baby’s tongue. If she seems interested, give her a few more tastes with the spoon. If she doesn’t like it, or pushes the spoon away, wait a few weeks and try again.

The first feedings will be messy. Your baby has been used to sucking liquids. Now, she has to learn how to swallow solids. The tongue thrust that makes food come back out is a natural reaction. Your baby has to learn to swallow rather than thrust.

The next foods after cereals will probably be a few teaspoons of pureed vegetables or fruits. But wait until your doctor tells you to give them a try.

Try only one new food at a time. If you start with a few teaspoons of infant rice cereal, continue for several days before trying infant oatmeal or infant barley. The reason you try only one food at a time is so you can see whether your baby may have a reaction to a food or be allergic to it.

Sometimes a new food can cause diarrhea, a skin rash, or even a runny nose. If you think your baby has an allergy problem, check with your doctor, nurse, or clinic.

You can help your baby learn to eat healthy foods. Try to make eating a pleasant time.

Watch Out! High Chair Safety

When your baby starts to lean forward out of his infant seat and you’re afraid he will tip over, it’s time for a high chair. Remember, though, babies can get badly hurt in a high chair if you don’t follow safety rules.

Here are some things to look for to be sure the high chair is safe for your baby:

• It should be sturdy, with a wide base so it won’t tip over.
• A seat belt with a crotch strap to go between your baby’s legs keeps him from sliding out and is a must.
• The tray should lock securely on both sides and have no sharp edges.
• Belt buckles and tray locks should be easy for you to use but NOT easy for your baby to use.
• Caps or plugs on tubing should be firmly attached and unable to be pulled off. They could cause a child to choke.
• It should be easy to clean. If the finish will allow, you can place the high chair in the shower stall to soak and steam it clean.
• If the seat is slippery, attach rubber bathtub adhesive stickers to the seat so your baby doesn’t slide around.

Do’s and Don’ts of High Chair Safety:

• DO always use the seat belt and strap.
• DO lock the tray into place.
• DO be sure your baby’s hands are out of the way when you lock the tray.
• DO be sure that there are no sharp edges to cut her or you.
• DO keep the high chair at least 12 inches away from a table or counter. Your baby could push off and tip over.
• DO watch your baby closely. Some babies have slipped down between the leg straps and strangled.

• DON'T leave the chair near a stove.
• DON'T leave your baby alone in the chair.
• DON'T let your baby stand in the chair.
• DON'T let other children climb on the chair.