About this topic
At 5 to 8 months, your baby keeps growing and doubles in weight from birth. This is the time when your baby shows interest in food other than milk. Your baby learns about other flavors. During this period, you can offer solid foods to your baby. ‚
Signs your baby may be interested in food: ‚
- Holds head in a steady, upright position
- Brings fingers and toys to mouth
- Opens mouth and leans forward when its time to eat
- Shows interest in what you are eating
- Seems hungry even after a bottle of milk or nursing
General
Six months is the right age to begin solid foods. ‚
- Put your baby in a comfortable seat. If your baby can sit up, you can put your baby in a high chair. If your baby is still learning to sit, try holding your baby on your lap. Let your baby touch and play with the food.
- Start by using a soft-tipped plastic spoon. Give your baby half a teaspoon of food or cover the very tip of the feeding spoon. If your baby is interested, start with a spoonful at a time. Offer the same food one or two times each day.
- Let your baby hold the spoon you use for feeding. You can also give your baby their own spoon to hold. This may increase your babys interest in eating.
- First, give cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Make sure it has more fluid than solid parts.
- Add new foods slowly. Wait 4 to 5 days before giving your baby a new food.
As your baby grows: ‚
- Add more food at each feeding.
- Add new foods.
- Offer food 3 to 4 times a day.
- You can also give your baby water. This may help prevent hard stools. Give your baby 2 to 4 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 cup) of water each day between meals.
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Who should not use this diet?
Do not give solid foods to babies younger than 5 months. ‚
What foods are good to eat?
There are three steps when choosing what food to give your baby. ‚
- First foods should be pureed with only one ingredient. Do not add salt or sugar. The puree should be more liquid. Start with a fruit or vegetable.
- Potatoes
- Cantaloupe
- Strawberries
- Tomato
- Dark green vegetables
- Carrots
- Avocado
- Pumpkin
- Cereals made with breast milk or formula
- Second foods should be pureed or mashed with two ingredients. Fruit and vegetable mixtures are ideal. Do not add salt or sugar. The texture should be thicker than the first foods. Some examples are:
- Fruit + fruit: apple + banana
- Fruit + vegetable: peach + carrots
- Vegetable + vegetable: potato + zucchini
- Third foods are a mix of different food types. Meat and vegetables with grain is a good mixture. By this time, you may also give your baby small pieces of finger foods. Some finger foods that you can give your baby are:
- Plain crackers
- Well-cooked and cut-up potatoes
- Soft fruits
- Small pieces of unsalted, well-cooked meat
You can give your baby 100% fruit juice with vitamin C. ‚
What foods should be limited or avoided?
Do not feed these foods to your baby. They can cause your baby to choke: ‚
- Uncut or large pieces of food
- Raw vegetables
- Raisins
- Cherries
- Gum or hard candy
- Hot dog slices
- Marshmallows
- Nuts or seeds
- Peanut butter
- Popcorn
- Whole beans or grapes
Will there be any other care needed?
- Always stay with your baby when eating in case your baby starts to choke.
- Dont force your baby to eat.
- Let your baby feed himself.
- Let food cool before giving it to your baby.
- Give breast milk or formula even when your baby can eat solid foods.
- Watch for signs of fullness. Your baby may:
- Keep mouth closed
- Lean back in the chair
- Turn head away from food
- Start playing with the spoon or food
- When feeding your child baby food from a jar:
- Store opened baby food in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
- Serve the baby food in a bowl. The unused portion in the jar will be fresh later.
- Throw away baby foods 2 to 3 days after opening.
What problems could happen?
- Choking
- Signs of a food allergy
- Loose or hard stools
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of food allergy. These include rash, swollen lips, throwing up, loose stools, coughing, and problems breathing.
- Signs of choking. These include bluish color of the lips, breathing troubles, and pale skin.
Helpful tips
- Give praise, kisses, and love after your baby tries to eat.
- Do not feed your baby mashed or pureed food through a bottle.
Where can I learn more?
Caring for Kids ‚
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/feeding_your_baby_in_the_first_year ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/feed47m.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚