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Starting your baby on solid foods is an exciting time. It’s a developmental milestone and a step towards independence. However, there is still considerable confusion about the optimal time to introduce solids. New parents get mixed messages and conflicting advice from friends and family about when and what to feed their little ones. The good news is that baby gums are rock stars. Your baby doesn’t need teeth to start solid foods. Instead, we focus on whether they are developmentally ready for solids. Here are some tips to help you introduce solids safely.
How Do I Know If My Baby Is Ready For Solid Foods?
Most babies are ready for solids around 4 to 6 months. Some signs your little one is ready include sitting up with little or no support, showing interest in food when others are eating and loss of the tongue-thrust reflex (where babies reflexively push food out). The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends waiting until your baby is double their birth weight and at least 13 pounds, which usually occurs around 4 months.
Why Don’t Babies Need Teeth To Start Solids?
Teeth are great, but in infants, they’re not a requirement for solids. We don’t want to wait for teeth to come in since holding off on solids can delay babies’ motor skill development. Readiness for solids is much more about oral motor skills than the appearance of those tiny teeth. Babies are amazing at mashing and chewing foods with their gums. Babies’ gums are strong, and the natural movements of their little jaws help break down foods. Eating solid foods can support infants’ development as early exposure to soft solids helps them develop chewing and swallowing skills and builds tongue and jaw coordination for speech development. Of course, we can help them by starting with soft foods that are easy to gum and reduce the risk of choking.
What Are The Best First Foods For Babies Without Teeth?
When we introduce solids, preventing choking is always a priority. Purees and soft foods are a natural first step. Favorites include mashed bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes and applesauce. You can also dilute their first purees with breast milk or formula to make them less thick.
Soft finger foods can aid in baby-led weaning, providing them with the opportunity to pick up their own food. Steamed carrots, peas, broccoli and soft scrambled eggs are winners. Other than mashed bananas, we usually want to cook fruits and vegetables to soften them before serving. Finally, we want to bring iron and other nutrients into the picture with iron-fortified baby cereals, pureed meats, lentils and beans.
How Can I Keep My Baby Safe When Introducing Solids?
First-time parents are often nervous about transitioning to solid foods because they’re worried about choking hazards. As parents, we need to stay vigilant, but there are steps we can take to minimize the risk of choking. Avoid hard, round, or sticky foods, such as whole grapes, raw vegetables, and hard fruits like apples, popcorn, cheese, and nuts. Cut all foods up into small, soft pieces. Following a gradual approach also helps babies stay safe. Start with small amounts of food and gradually increase the amount once your baby is familiar with the process. Be sure to introduce one new food at a time to check for potential allergies. Finally, let your baby feed herself to explore textures and tastes with their hands and mouth. Self-feeding promotes independence and motor development.
When Should I Discuss Solid Foods with My Pediatrician?
Your pediatrician is an excellent resource for timetables and general advice on introducing solids. You should also reach out if your baby struggles to swallow, shows signs of choking when eating soft foods, consistently refuses solids, or has trouble gaining weight or growing. Other signs of potential feeding problems include diarrhea, constipation, gagging or vomiting when eating certain foods, and signs of reflux.
Even if your baby is hitting all their developmental milestones, feeding can be stressful and uncertain. We want to make sure our little ones are eating the right amounts of the right foods. There is so much information, and parents often feel judged about their parenting choices. That’s why a great support system is essential, and your family pediatrician is part of that network. The team at Loudoun Pediatric Associates can help alleviate the worry associated with this joyful milestone through education and support. If you have questions or concerns about starting solids, schedule a consultation with our office today.
