Kids grow up fast, especially babies. It might seem like just yesterday that you were bringing your baby home for the first time. You can probably still picture what her little face looked like as she suckled on your breast or on the bottle. But now she is ready for solid foods.

Every baby is different so there is no magic age when your baby will be ready for solid foods, but most babies will be ready between the ages of 4 to 6 months. It is around this time that their digestive systems have matured and are ready for solid foods. A few signs to look for that might indicate your baby is ready for something a little more than breast milk or formula are:

• Your baby can sit up with your support.
• Your baby can take food from a spoon and can swallow it.
• She/he holds her head up and turns away when she/he is full.
• Your baby appears to still be hungry after a feeding.

You should talk to your pediatrician when you think your baby is ready for solid foods. The doctor will be able to help you read the signs and give your tips on how and when to start the introduction of solid foods.

What foods should you start with? Babies have very sensitive digestive systems and can have food allergies that you don’t know about so start out slow with just one thing at a time. Pediatricians recommend starting with a single grain cereal like rice cereal or oatmeal. Introduce the cereal slowly over a few days and keep an eye out for any food aversions or allergies, particularly if you add dairy to the cereal. As your baby’s system gets used to the cereal you can begin introducing other foods like pureed fruits and vegetables. You should only introduce one new thing at a time that way if your baby shows signs of a food aversion or allergy you will know what the culprit is.

Watching your baby grow up is a wonderful thing. Introducing your baby to new foods can be fun (and a little messy!). Keep a close eye on your little one’s reaction to the foods you introduce into their diet. Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your pediatrician.

(Source: Babyfit)