Introducing Solid Foods

Lately the wife and I have been talking about when we should introduce solid food to Allison. We have been giving her little scraps of fruit, mash potatoes, etc and it seems to be a success. While she won’t be enjoying the turkey dinner this Christmas, we feel that we should be safe start giving her cereal.

I must admit that part of the reason we are eager to start solid is to increase the chances of a full night sleep. Solid food sticks to the ribs longer which might give dad that full nights rest he’s been asking Santa for.

How to know when to introduce solid foods?

Every baby is different, some may be ready sooner than others. Typically parents wait until the 3-4 month age before introducing solids. There are six signs to look out for that could indicate baby is ready for solid foods.

Signs That Baby is Ready for Solids

1. Loss of the tongue thrust reflex. This reflex is a natural instinct that protects babies from choking. While it may not be such a big deal with liquids, you can see how this could be an issue with solids. When an unusual substance is placed on the tongue it automatically protrudes outwards. Between the age of 4 and 6 months this reflex begins to fade away giving that spoonful of cereal a fighting chance of making to the tummy.
2. The ability to tell you that she is full. Your baby will usually show this by turning away from the bottle and clamping the gums shut as you try to shove it back in. This usually ends up with one frustrated dad and one milk soaked baby. Anyways, this is a good sign that your baby is able to self-regulate themselves so us dads don’t stuff them fuller then a Christmas turkey.
3. Shows interest in food. This tip should not be the decided factor as you may know, babies that are 3 months old want to put everything into their mouth.
4. Doubling of birth weight. Not much to say here but once your baby has doubled their birth weight, they may need more than just formula or milk to feel full.
5. Ability to sit and hold head up unassisted. Have you ever tried eating cereal while laying on your back, milk does not feel good up the nose.
6. Your baby is waking up hungry more frequently. This is something else that isn’t the best indicator. Babies will usually go through a growth spurt between the age of 3 and 4 months requiring more fuel to keep the body running. Keep in mind that a sick or teething baby will probably wake up often as well. While mixing solids into their diet will keep your baby fuller longer,  you should first rule out any underlying causes to the frequent feeding.

So know that you know the signs, how do decide if your baby is ready for solids or just going through a growth spurt?

Some parents follow what is known as baby-led weaning which lets your baby decide when the time is right to switch. While this a good idea, I prefer to learn by doing. We are going to give it a shot and see what happens. What’s the worst that could happen? A little cereal on the floor won’t hurt anyone, and I’m sure the cat would be more than happy to clean it up.

So what do you think?

Should we use a spoon or a well aimed slingshot?

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1. 6 Ways to improve your eating habits

Tagged as: Eating Healthy