Food and Drink Introduction to Babies

When can I introduce my baby to cereal?
When can my baby have baby food?
When can my baby have juice and water?
These are frequently asked questions by Mommy's. Obviously there is no definite answer and any decisions regarding food, water, and juice should be discussed with your child's physician. This blog entry will simply discuss the age appropriate time based off of research. Every child is different which is why these things should ultimately be discussed with YOUR CHILD'S physician.

• Introducing Solids

When today’s parents were small babies, pediatricians often recommended starting them on cereal and other solid foods at just a few weeks old, believing that it would help them sleep through the night. Now we know that is not true. Between the ages of 4 and 6 months, most babies are developmentally ready to get their first taste of solid foods. At this point, they lose the extrusion reflex that is beneficial for sucking a breast or bottle but can shove a spoonful of baby cereal right back out. Some experts cite another important reason to start solid foods by 6 months: That’s when babies’ natural stores of iron begin to deplete, and some babies may not get enough iron in their liquid diets to replace them. There is more iron in formula than in breast milk, but the iron in breast milk is more readily absorbed. Iron-fortified baby cereals are a good early source of iron, but once your baby is eating a variety of foods, there are several iron-rich options, including meats, beans, and spinach.

1. How Do I Know if Baby is Ready for Solids?

Here are some signs that your child is ready to try solids:

• They can sit up (with support) and can hold their head and neck up well.
• Their birth weight has doubled.
• They're interested in what you’re eating and may even try to grab food from your plate.
• They can keep food in their mouth rather than letting it dribble out.
• They shows signs of being hungry for more than they're getting.

2. What Foods to Start with:
A common first baby food is a single-grain, iron-fortified cereal such as rice cereal or oatmeal. These baby cereals have the advantage of boosting your baby’s iron intake, and they’re easy to digest. In addition to baby cereal, you can start your baby out with pureed fruits and vegetables. Be sure to only try one new fruit or vegetable every 3-4 days so you will know if baby has a reaction to any one of them. Some people say introduce vegetables first, but it doesn't matter which one you do as long as you give both fruits and vegetables.

3. Strategies for Introducing Solids

When you offer baby that first taste of something other than breast milk or formula, it’s a huge event. To increase the likelihood of success, offer the first solids when baby isn’t full (if they're not hungry, they won’t be interested) or ravenous (they’ll be frustrated that they're not getting as much as they wants right away). Instead, fill them up a little with liquid and then let them have a taste. Other than that, it doesn’t matter too much whether solid or liquid comes first in the meal. 

As with all new experiences, it’s also best not to spring solid foods on your baby when they're tired, cranky, or sick. Offering a new food in the morning or early afternoon also gives you plenty of time to watch for allergic reactions.

• Introducing Water

Water should not be introduced to a baby before 6 months at the earliest. Here's why:

1. Breast-milk or Formula is enough for young babies.

Despite what well-meaning family members might say, experts now know that until your baby starts eating solid foods, infants get all the water they need from breast milk or formula. That’s right — both breast milk and/or formula will keep your infant plenty hydrated, even on steamy summer days when you might be wondering if you should offer your little hottie a cool sip of water. The only exception to the rule about not giving water to a baby this age is if the infant is sick and is losing fluids due to diarrhea or vomiting. (But ask your pediatrician about this first.)

2. Giving water to a baby can actually harm them. 

Unless they're very sick, a baby who satisfies their appetite (and their need to suck) with bottles of water will miss out on the nutrition they needs from their feedings. If done regularly, this can cause weight loss, and in the case of breast-fed babies, it can decrease your breast-milk supply. Giving water to a baby in large amounts can even lead to oral water intoxication, a condition in which the electrolytes (such as sodium) in a baby’s bloodstream become diluted, inhibiting normal bodily functions and leading to dangerous problems such as low body temperature or seizures.

• Introducing Juice

Juice should also not be introduced before 6 months of age at the earliest. It can fill baby up and cause them not to get the nutrients they need from breast-milk or formula. It can also cause stomach cramping and diarrhea in young babies due to the sugar it contains.

As much as we want to do fun and interesting new things with our little ones, some things are just not necessary before a certain age. Please discuss any changes or beginnings of new things dealing with your baby's diet with your pediatrician first. They grow up fast enough on their own. There is no reason to push them to do so any sooner than necessary!!!!

Sources: Web MD, What to Expect

The importance of a balanced weaning diet

Calcium Sources For Your Baby

Step by step guide on weaning

Protein and Your Baby's Diet
When can I start my baby on solid food??
When should I give my baby cow's milk as her main drink?
Introducing cow's milk the proper way