Solids: The lowdown
Let’s talk solids.
This is such an exciting time in yours and your baby’s life and it can also be really stressful with so much information out there on how to best feed your baby when starting solids. I get it, the questions are brewing, you may be a bit stressed about how and what and when and maybe you’re even a bit concernd about a few things as well. This is so normal. We’ll get into it all and hopefully you’ll leave here with everything you need to start your solids journey with confidence and knowledge.
But before we get into it, it’s important for me to point out a few things about solids…
As you know, breast milk or formula is the only food and nutrition your newborn needs. However, there comes a point, somewhere between 4-6 months where your baby will be ready for more than their usual liquid diet.
The AAP recommends breast-feeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, but every baby is different and has different nutritional needs. Some babies need more a bit sooner than 6 months, some need to supplement with formula and some are ready for solids. Whatever it is, speak to your pediatrician if you aren’t 100% sure.
Keep in mind, we are not replacing milk just yet, we are adding it in for added calories and nutritional value accompanying your baby’s bottles or breastfeeding. Your baby still needs 24-32 ounces of milk a day during their first year of life.
Now you must have a ton of questions right now, especially if this is your first time starting out on solids with your little one. Let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions people ask when starting solids.
When is my baby ready for solids?
But by ages 4 months to 6 months, most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods in conjunction with breast-feeding & formula-feeding. While babies age still have the gag reflex (quite a strong one sometimes), it typically starts to disappear at around 6 months and up (later for some babies) which is why they are more ready for solids. At this age, babies typically stop pushing food out of their mouth with their tongue and they begin to develop the skills and coordination to move the food around, from the front of the mouth to the back for swallowing. This takes a lot of practice and work!
So now that I’ve given you some background, how do I really know if my baby is ready for solids?
Check for these things to figure it out…
Can your baby hold his head in a steady, upright position?
Can your baby sit with support?
Is your baby mouthing his or her hands or toys?
Is your baby showing an interest for food, leaning forward and opening her mouth?
Are they at least 13 lbs or more?
If yes, then your baby is likely ready to start! How exciting. Stay tuned for everything you need to know about what to start with, what to avoid and everything else related to solids.
Keep in mind...
When starting solids, we are not replacing milk, we are adding it in for added calories and nutritional value accompanying your baby’s bottles or breastfeeding. Your baby still needs 24-32 ounces of milk a day in their first year or as advised by your physician.
What should I expect when my baby starts solids?
What to expect:
Yes, your baby may not want to drink as many ounces of milk per bottle and yes it may affect your supply a bit. This is normal and usually ok as long as they aren’t refusing their milk completely. Check with your Dr.!
What to do:
If your supply has been affected, you can either pump or offer an extra nursing feeding at another time throughout the day. There are also supplements out there that help support and build your milk supply.
I also advise that you give solids only after your baby has had their bottle or nursed. And offer that solid food about an hour after nursing or bottle, not right after. Feeding them solid food right after a bottle or nursing will likely result in them not even wanting it cause they’re full. This will help them build an appetite for food and also help prevent them from decreasing their milk intake. In other words, don’t offer it all at once!
Which foods should I avoid when starting solids?
Before talking about all of the wonderful things you can start feeding your baby with when starting solids, I wanted to get into the foods that are to be totally avoided in the first year. This may be common knowledge for many of you, as I would expect, but some people may not know this and it’s important to know which foods your baby cannot eat when starting solids and in the first year.
Cows milk
Cows milk does not meet an infant’s nutritional needs and is not rich in Iron. You want to make sure if they’re not nursing that you are giving them formula and not cows milk.
Honey
We all know that honey is a big no-no. Honey is dangerous because it has something called spores in it that can cause a very serious illness called infant botulism. People ask if honey is ok in cooked foods and even then, you should not offer your baby honey in any shape or form, cooked or other until the age of one.
Choking hazards
No foods that can cause your baby to choke like seeds, nuts, popcorn, candy, large pieces of fruit or vegetables, pretzels, anything that can get lodged in their throat. Babies will build up their ability to chew and swallow larger pieces of food, but we want to start with pieces like banana, or well cooked cut up pieces of chicken, potato, or foods that can melt in their mouth like wafer snacks, etc…Not pieces that can easily get lodged or stuck.
Which foods do I start with?
When first starting solids, it is recommended to start with soft and pureed single-ingredient foods such as: banana apple sweet potato butternut squash Baby cereal/oatmeal (you can mix with breastmilk, water or formula).
Start by offering 1-2 Tbsp. of oatmeal or stage 1 puree baby food for breakfast and 1-2 T for lunch.
For example:
1-2T of oatmeal 1-2 times a day. Wait 3-5 days before introducing another food and then add that to your baby’s meal.
For example:
1-2T of oatmeal+1-2 oz. butternut squash 1-2 times a day.
Over the next few weeks you can build up to 3 small meals a day slowly adding in one new food at a time.
For example:
1-2T of stage 2 puree +1-2 oz oatmeal or 1-2 oz of pears + 1-2 T oatmeal 2-3 times a day
Make sure you are offering fruits and veggies, soft cut up foods like cooked pasta, eggs.
I’m worried about my baby gagging or choking:
Let’s talk about gagging and choking for a minute, what to expect, what’s normal, etc…
Gagging is normal, so no need to panic if your baby gags on their food and spits it out. Babies have what is called the gag reflex, it’s an amazing built in protective mechanism that prevents them from swallowing large items and choking and this reflex is often triggered by babies introducing new foods and textures to their diet.
What to know about gagging:
Gagging is Involuntary
Gagging is normal
Gagging is a protective mechanism to prevent choking
The intensity of gagging is different for every baby.
To learn more about gagging, read the full blog here.
To prevent choking, make sure your baby’s food is:
Soft-textured
Easy to swallow
Easy for them to move around in their mouth and move off the spoon
Cut into small pieces
Big enough to pick up but not too big to obstruct their airway
Some examples of baby food with soft soft textures and small enough to eat are cut up banana, little pieces of scrambled eggs, soft pasta; well-cooked, finely chopped chicken and vegetables, snacks that melt in your baby’s mouth, like baby wafers, bamba, etc…Read the full blogpost here about choking and gagging when starting solids.
How much do I give?
Start small. 1-2 Tbsp per meal, but keep in mind that every baby has a different appetite, some will want less and some will want more. It is ok to offer more if your baby wants it, he will stop when he is full.
What about food allergies?
One common worry for parents starting their little ones on solids is food allergies. I recommend introducing one new ingredient at a time every few days. This way you’ll have a better sense of what your baby is allergic to if they have a reaction. Contrary to what is so popularly written out there about solids and allergies, there is no evidence to suggest that waiting to introduce solids, and allergenic foods, such as eggs, dairy, peanuts, wheat, fish, will prevent the development of food allergies down the line. In fact, research suggests that exposure to these foods earlier on in life can actually prevent food allergies from developing.
Start with introducing one food at a time. Wait 2-3 days before introducing another food. Once you introduce a second food, you can serve together with your first food. Look out for any reactions.
What if my baby doesn’t like the food?
Some babies reject their first solid feeding and this is normal. It doesn’t necessarily mean your baby doesn’t like it, he simply isn’t used to it. Getting used to solids is a whole new ballgame for them, as they have to master new skills, like moving food around in their mouth, chewing, biting, swallowing, etc...
Babies make all sorts of faces when they start soilds. They aren’t used to the new flavors and textures. Don’t assume your baby doesn’t like the food if they keep sticking their tongue out, this is a protective reflex they have that prevents them from choking and it may look like they don’t like the food at first. Don’t force it but also don’t write it off forever, wait a few days and try again! Keep offering it along with other foods to help them expand their pallete and get used to different textures and flavors.
If the problem persists, talk to your baby's doctor to make sure the resistance isn't a sign of another problem.
Here’s a quick tip:
Offer a variety of foods
Offering a variety of foods to your baby helps them get used to different flavors and textures early on, which can really help prevent unwanted food aversions and picky eaters down the line. It’s also a nice way to ensure they are getting the right nutrients they need from their food.
Take note that kids who are fed textureless foods for long periods of time can have a stronger gag reflex till much later.
Can I give my baby water?
According to th AAP, your baby gets enough fluid through breastmilk or formula, but it is ok to offer no more than 8 oz. a day of water to your infant when starting solids (Check with your pediatrician for specifics on your baby). You can offer 1-2 oz. of water after each solid feeding or throuhout the day if needed, especially if you live in a very hot climate.
I’m worried I will overfeed my baby. How do I prevent this?
This is a common concern for parents as they start solids. Firstly, babies are amazing at self-regulating their calories and stopping when full. If your baby has had enough to eat, pay close attention, he will likely turn his head, spit out his food, maybe throw it, etc...these are signs he is full and you can stop offering food.
Will my baby start sleeping through the night with the introduction of solids?
I am a huge advocate when it comes to feeding your baby properly, before during and after starting solids. And I am a huge believer in food in relation to a baby who sleeps well. I always teach my clients about the many ways food can significantly improve their infant’s sleep. But how can it improve sleep?
So here it is…
Solids alone won’t teach your baby to sleep through the night, especially if your baby has an already existing sleep issue or sleep association to something other than food.
So if your baby is waking at night purely to feed back to sleep or be rocked or assisted in some way in order to get back to sleep, then no, introducing solids will not be the thing that breaks those sleep habits.
So where can solids affect sleep?
Solids are helpful for sleep in these scenarios:
If your baby is not eating enough throughout the day and genuinely waking out of hunger at night. If this is the case, then yes, adding in those extra calories during the day will help your baby sleep more soundly, help them settle quicker to sleep and back to sleep when they wake up.
Solids are helpful in eliminating those frequent night wakings your baby may experience from waking out of hunger. A hungry baby who is not fully satiated will wake have multiple night wakings and have a hard time settling back to sleep so if this is the case for your baby, those extra calories throughout the day will be helpful!
Solids are helpful In giving parents peace of mind knowing that your baby Is indeed not waking out of hunger when they wake up but merely out of habit. And adding in solids once they’re ready is a great way to rule out any possible hunger issue.
It’s helpful knowing exactly what your baby ate throughout the day so that come night time, you won’t be second guessing if your baby is waking out of huger or habit.
Can I put baby cereal in my baby’s bottle?
It’s tempting to think that adding in food to your baby’s bottle, especially before they are ready is a good idea or a great way to get your baby eating more and sleeping more. So yes, while adding in cereal will definitely ensure your baby is getting more calories and even sleep better on a fuller belly, it’s not necessarily the best method of choice for feeding your baby, and it’s certainly not recommended by the AAP.
Here are 3 main reasons why it’s not recommended:
Until about 4-6 months old, babies are not developmentally ready to process and digest solid foods, including thick baby cereals. It is not advised to feed your baby any form of solids until they are old enough and ready (4-6 months, not earlier). Babies cannot digest this food and unless advised by your physician, I would avoid doing this.
If they are not developmentally ready to handle thick formulas, Adding in baby cereal can cause your infant to gag and possibly inhale the thickened liquid into their lungs.
Overfeeding is a concern when adding in baby cereal into the bottle. Some babies require baby cereal in their bottles because of poor weight gain or medical issues, but otherwise, there is no need to overfeed your baby by adding in cereal to their milk. Instinctively, babies are amazing at regulating their milk intake by measuring the volume of what they’re eating, not the amount of calories they’re consuming and if they don’t need those extra calories, why add them in.
Keep in mind...
Unless you have been advised by your baby’s pediatrician to add cereal to their bottle, whether for medical reasons or poor weight gain, it is not recommended to add cereal to their bottle.
Always speak to your pediatrician if you are concerned about your baby’s calorie intake, their weight or any other feeding issues you are struggling with.
Can I start sleep training and solids at the same time?
Generally it’s not something I would recommend just because you really want to give your baby a chance to get used to the solids. Is it bad to sleep train and start solids together? No, it’s not bad, but if you don’t have to, then wait it out a few days.
You don’t want to run into any tummy troubles while sleep training. You want to make sure you have all your bases covered when you start sleep training, and that includes your baby’s physical comfort and making sure he is feeling well.
Starting solids can sometimes come with an adjustment, your baby’s digestive system is still maturing and baby is not used to eating anything other than a liquid diet, so he may have some constipation or stomach aches and this is normal.
I would recommend either starting a few days before sleep training or a few days after to give your little one’s body a chance to get used to those solids.
And on that note, I will leave you with a small word or advice; don’t stress too much about it, enjoy this process with your baby and of course check in with your pediatrician if you aren’t sure how to go about starting solids.
Happy feeding!
