Watching your baby grow is a treat to the eyes. I personally felt that third month onwards a surprise awaits you any moment. With the head and neck control being stronger, most babies by their sixth month are able to grab toys, roll over , attempt to crawl and are able to sit with or without support. They also show their curiosity towards food by this time. It is indicative by some of their gestures like opening their mouth whenever a spoon or hand is taken near to them or they start to put things into their mouth on their own. This is when you will know your baby is ready for the "first grain".
For Aarav, introduction of solids started with a ritual called "Annaprasana" held during his sixth month. The actual time and process of introducing solids to the baby varies from custom to custom, and even between a girl and a boy baby in some cases. But most importantly it is the baby's digestive system that should be ready for solid intake. It could be anytime between 4th to 6th month.
Hence consulting your paediatrician is the very first step before introducing solids to your baby.
In this post I won't comment much on what to start with or the recepes for baby food as they are widely available on the internet. Alternately, one will have family, friends, neighbours and nowadays even parenting apps to guide through the same.
Instead I have mentioned 11 things to be mindful about when it is time to start with solids. These are from my personal experience , paediatrician (PED) & family guidance.
1. PED Visit : Even though I have mentioned above, but this is the first thing to do . Consult your ped before starting solids for your baby. You may check for : food to start with and avoid, possible signs of allergies and their remedies, timelines & frequency of giving solids. Invest 10-15 minutes to jot down the related queries before the visit.
2. Quantity : Start with small quantity (eg. 1 tsp of rice) which you can gradually increase depending on your baby's appetite.
3. Salt n Sugar : Avoid salt and sugar as long as possible. Instead chose fruits and vegetables that are naturally sweet like beet, carrot, apple, bananas etc. Eight months onwards you might feel the need of sweetener as you start including porridges or halwa to their meal. I learnt recently that Palm jaggery or Palm sugar is an excellent substitute to sugar for infants. Also applesauce or honey (very little) are nutritious alternates. Some articles online mention about using dates puree and dry fruit powders but according to my mother , they are excessive heat for the baby. Hence better to avoid at least for a year.
4. Frequency of Feeds : Feed maximum of two varieties per day (at least for the initial two months) like Rice in afternoon, and vegetable soup towards evening. Continue with BM/FM in the remaining hours.
5. Keep it Simple : Don't mix many ingredients together and be watchful for any kind of allergic symptoms every time you introduce a new ingredient.
6. Three Day Rule : You may follow the three day rule i.e. continuing with one variety of food for three consecutive days before introducing a new one. Don't worry! you may not have to follow this for long as babies will demand for varieties as they grow.
7. Healthy Routine : Try to follow a breakfast, lunch and early dinner routine . Also avoid fruits in late evening.
8. Home Made v/s Packaged Food : Home made food are any time safer & healthier. Prescribed packaged baby food can be fed occasionally. In my opinion they are best used during travel.
9. Keep Calm : Very important to keep calm as initially your baby might refuse to take the food you give . It is because of the milk they were used to until now and may cry in want of the same. But in a week or two they will adapt to the new routine. Also as they grow and learn to refuse, you may have to use various other distraction for them to finish the meal. And this will definitely require a lot of patience.
10. Purée : Needless to say, Pureed form of food should be given initially. Switch over to hand mashed/fork mashed food gradually (preferably after teething) and avoid miximashed food (food mashed in a grinding machine) . This is for your baby to learn to chew slowly.
11. Stay Organized : Whether it's a well behaved baby strapped on a high chair or an active baby running around during the food time, ensure a bib is always there. Additionally, keep their water sipper , an extra handkerchief or a towel and some of their favourite toys handy before you start feeding them . If you are a new mommy, you will gradually know why I have mentioned this point.
In my view, it is the initial one or two months that might be challenging in terms of what to give and when to give. By ninth or tenth month you will know your baby's taste buds and understand when he or she is hungry for a proper meal instead of just milk.Try not to be very restrictive with the varieties you introduce (unless there is a medical requirement) and let your baby taste the sweet, sour and bitter.
(Remember that every baby is different hence the timelines mentioned may vary)
While you ensure to give the best nutritious food to your little wonder, don't forget to make them relish some chocolate and ice creams once in a while and capture those moments when they indulge themselves in that taste .
