How do I know if my baby is ready to eat solids?

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Starting to give solid foods to a baby is a big step in parenting. Here we will explain which are signs that will let you know if your child is ready to start eating mashed foods

Being a parent is something wonderful. Observe the changes that occur every day in our children, it is priceless! One of the most important is the transition to solid foods.

Leer en español: ¿Cómo sé si mi bebé está listo para comer sólidos?

Is my baby ready to eat solids?

Around this issue there are two large groups of professionals. There are those who say that some babies can start eating after 4 months and others that indicate that children should only take milk until 6 months of age.

Leaving aside the discussions, there are certain parameters that will give you the guideline that your child is ready to eat. Keep in mind that solid foods should be included in their diet only if your pediatrician authorizes it. You should never do it on your own.

According to the website Baby Center, there are some indications that give us the guideline that is already ready such as:

• The baby controls its head, being able to keep it upright.
• He stays seated with support.
• The extrusion reflection is eliminated. This means that the baby is able to swallow any type of food without spitting it.
• The kid doubled his birth weight. For example, if your child weighed 3.5 kilograms (8 pounds), he should weigh, at least about 7 kilograms (15 pounds).
• He is curious about what you are eating and, if you bring him a spoon, he will surely open his mouth to "taste" the food.

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What are the first meals you can give your child?

Surely you want to give absolutely everything you eat. However, you must be careful because young children cannot eat anything.

The ideal is that they are mashed foods without lumps of any kind, so that they are easy to swallow. It is important to avoid salt intake during the first year, because their kidneys are not yet developed entirely. It is also not advisable to add honey or processed foods that contain chemicals. Meaning everything has to be natural.

According to the website Planeta Mama, some of the foods that can be consumed as first meals can be mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc. The grated apple can also be a good meal. The stepped banana or pear puree can also be an excellent option. Also the corn cream, which you can prepare with milk or water (never use broth unless you have salt) and add cream cheese without salt.

They are excellent special baby cereals that are prepared with milk. As they are sweet, you are sure to love them. Fruits can be boiled or raw, because both ways you can incorporate the necessary vitamins and minerals in your diet.

A good idea for the child to try everything is to give first the mashed potatoes or pumpkin before the fruit, because then, when they are hungry they will enjoy them over fruits.
Keep in mind that, perhaps, at first they will not like what you give and spit it out. However, if you have patience, they will soon get used to the new flavors. You will see that, if you vary your diet, soon your child will eat everything and will be a very healthy baby.

LatinAmerican Post | Marcela Silvana Antonacci

Translated from "¿Cómo sé si mi bebé está listo para comer sólidos?"