There is a bit of controversy amongst experts on the best time to introduce solid food to infants. Most agree that waiting until 6 months is beneficial to allow babyโs digestive tract to mature and to ensure they get all of the important nutrients from breastmilk and formula first.
I personally do not think there is a golden age where every baby is ready to eat. Some are ready at 5 months while others arenโt ready until 9 months. Just like other milestones, there should be a range of time because every baby matures at a different pace.
No matter the age of your infant, it is important that they are showing signs they are READY for solid foods. Only you and your nutrition professional/doctor can decide when it is the right time to introduce foods.
I have provided some important signs below so you can gauge your childโs readiness for solid food: (๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ฌ!)
1. Your baby can sit up without much help AND hold their neck in the upright position: This is important because it indicates your babyโs ability to swallow without an increased risk of choking.
2. Baby shows interest in food: Is your baby trying to grab your food off your plate? Are they staring into the depths of your soul while you eat? Thatโs a good sign.
3. Your child is able to hold food in their mouth without thrusting it out with their tongue: If baby still has a strong reflex, it may be good to wait until that diminishes.
4. Baby imitates eating behaviors: Smacking their lips, gumming, licking, etc are all great practice for the real deal.
5. Baby doesnโt reject food when fed: If your baby is turning their head at everything and pushing your hand away during feeding, it may be best to wait.
What if your baby is 6 months old and theyโre not ready for solid food?
Thatโs totally OK!
Your child will get all of the nutrients they need from breastmilk or formula. It is not mandatory that they begin eating by 6, 7, or 8 months old. Itโs most important to let them tell YOU when theyโre ready.
Here are some tips to get your child comfortable with eating, which will help make mealtime more enjoyable down the road:
1. Let your child spend time in their highchair. Get them used to this new seat and give them fun things to play with.
2. Sit with them. Better yet, sit with them AND eat! Even if they arenโt eating, it will be a great association to make highchair = mealtime.
3. Give them a spoon and bowl or plate while in their highchair. Theyโll probably just chew on them but the idea is to get them used to eating utensils.
4. Make mealtime FUN! Take some deep breaths, put their favorite tunes on (even if itโs Blippy or Baby Shark ughhhhh), dance, and have a great time. The sooner they associate food with fun, the sooner theyโll be interested in it.
5. Keep food preferences neutral. If they love avocado, great! If they donโt, thatโs ok too! Itโs never too early to help your child establish a healthy relationship with food. They have their own unique taste buds and preferences which will be different than yours. I didnโt know that my youngest son LOVES cherries until he was 2 years old because I donโt like them and never exposed him until they happened to be in a dried fruit mix I bought for a plane ride.
6. Most children desire food that they see often. Do yourself and your child a favor by putting healthy food on YOUR plate and switch it up often. Your child most likely wonโt grow to like vegetables if they never see someone enjoying them!
Questions? Just ask!
Want to work with me 1:1 to create the perfect diet for you and/or your family? Contact me today at dana@thrivekin.com.