Solid Foods for 7 Month Old

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the best age to introduce solid food in a baby's diet is 6 month. Well while some babies start getting solid food at the age of 6 month, some may get it after the 8th or 9th month. This depends upon your baby's growth and his body conditions. Although solid foods for 7 month old include light and easily digestible foods, this age includes most of the solid foods which can be given to the infant as healthy food.

In every religion, there are rituals which are celebrated when a baby is given solid food for the first time so that a child is fed with solid food at the right time and for a better baby care. Before the age of 6, solid food is not given to a child. The reasons behind this are the underdeveloped intestines, the inefficiency of the child to communicate when his/her stomach is full and the inability to swallow solid food. Hence, the food is given only after a certain age.

How to Know Child's Readiness for Solid Food
When a child is able to sit and can hold his own neck then he can have a solid diet. At the age of 5 to 7 months, the baby shows interest towards the food and will intake the food from the spoon. By the age of 7 months the child is capable of swallowing food with some solid lumps and is able to digest the food. These are just the signals that your baby is getting ready to have solid foods. If your doctor has suggested to wait for some more time to start a solid diet, then you should follow his advice.

Solid Foods for 7 Month Old
Here is a list of solid foods for infants but one thing you should keep in mind that although you have started with solids, breast feeding or formula should be continued in the diet. As it is the primary source of energy and the best source for growth and development of the child since the time of childbirth. Following are the solid foods to be introduce in a 7 month old child.

Cereals
Cereals are the best to start as a solid diet. They are least allergic and contribute a lot in child development. Start with the iron fortified rice cereal mixed with lots of water and then continue to increase the concentration as the days pass. Give this one or two times a day and continue the rest of the feeding with the milk. In the beginning, start with single food so as to avoid any allergic reactions. Carry on with rice for at least a week and then try other cereals like oat or wheat.

Vegetables
Baby foods for 7 month old can be uncooked and cooked vegetables both. Vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, peas, green beans, spinach and beets can be very nutritious. These vegetable should be mashed and can be given in a lump form. In should be given in a small spoon with a little quantity so that the child can take its taste and can digest it properly.

Fruits
Cut very small pieces of fruits or mash it and put it in the baby's mouth one by one or in small quantity to avoid chocking. Do not give the entire fruit or a big piece in the baby's hand. Soft fruits like bananas, peaches, peeled apples and pears will be a good option.

Meat
Mashed meat can also be given as a solid food but the quantity should be very less. Start with meat in the later part of the month or at the beginning of the 8th month. Meat like beef, liver, cooked chicken, turkey or ground meat can be included as solid food.

Foods to Avoid
Some foods like citrus fruits and juices, egg, cow's milk should be avoided till the first birthday of the baby as they can be allergic to such foods. Fish, other sea foods, peanuts and tree nuts are also considered allergic to children. Some of the allergic symptoms are rash, diarrhea, bloating or an increase in intestinal gas, fussiness after eating, etc. If you observe any such symptoms, try to find out which food has caused the allergy and stop giving it to the child immediately.

So, if your child is 7 month old or just about to complete his 6 month then follow the above solid diet and help him to grow stronger and healthier. Hope this article was informative and will contribute to your child's growth.