Introducing Solids to a Breastfed Baby

Being a mother or a father is a big responsibility. You have to be very careful in everything related to your newborn. Even though, there are doctors and elder members to guide you, even small things may tend to confuse you. The same happens with food too, as breast milk is the only food recommended for newborns. Most of the new parents have absolutely no idea about when to start solid foods, what to give and the how much to give. This ignorance can create health problems in your baby.

Introducing Solid Foods to Breast-fed Babies

Most health experts suggest breast milk and no other solid foods for babies, till they reach the age of six months. So, the baby's diet for the first six months consists of breast milk only. It may also happen that, in some cases, the doctors may extent this period of exclusive breastfeeding. This delay (up to six months or more) in introducing solids to a baby is to reduce the risk of food allergies, to protect the babies from illnesses, to enable the digestive system of the baby to get mature, to avoid future obesity and to make it easier for the baby to get adjusted with solid foods. Introducing solid foods to baby does not mean that you have to stop breastfeeding. You have to understand that even if you start solid foods for your baby, breast milk continues to be his/her primary source of nutrition and it has to be continued till the first year or even beyond that. In short, the sixth month is considered the perfect stage for introducing solids to a breast-fed baby.

First Solid Foods for Breast-fed Babies

Now, you know that solid foods can be given to an exclusively breast-fed baby when he/she is around six months of age. Now, you may get confused about what to give. Most parents start with rice cereal, which is considered to be less allergenic (as it is gluten-free), as compared to other foods. Take two to three spoons of dry cereal and add breast milk or formula to it and mix well. Some of the cereals have to be cooked before giving to the baby. Then it is better to use water, rather than using cow's milk for cooking. The cereal should be semi-liquid in consistency. Now, breast feed the baby and then give him the cereal. Start with a very small quantity. Use a rubber-tipped spoon and let the baby taste the cereal first. Let him get adjusted to the idea of solid food and once he gets comfortable, slowly feed him. It is not advisable to use baby's bottle to feed him solid foods.

You may also give mashed bananas or other fruits and cooked vegetables. It is better to delay the introduction of fish, eggs, nuts, soybean, dairy products and wheat, to reduce the risk of food allergies. You may gradually include other solid foods in your baby's diet.

Some More Tips

While introducing solid foods to a breast fed baby, you can start with an once-a-day feeding. Make it sure to give him solid foods, when he is in a good mood. The food intake of the baby may vary from one time to another. If he turns his head away or keeps his mouth shut, understand that he is no more interested in the food. Sometimes, he may take time to swallow the food and keeps his mouth shut. Give him enough time to swallow the food and try to feed him. Initially, he may not show much interest in solid foods, but you have to be patient in this task. Once, he gets comfortable with this diet, he may increase the intake. As you notice the increase in his intake, you can gradually thicken the consistency of the foods or start adding new foods to his diet. According to health experts, solid foods should not be more than 10% of the baby's diet, for babies in the age group of six to nine months.

Introducing solids to a breast-fed baby is not a complicated task, but, it can be surely 'messy'. You must consult your baby's pediatrician before giving him solid foods. He will be in a better position to advise you about the various aspects of introducing solid foods to your baby.