As I prepare to start introducing solid foods with my son, I remember the stress and anxiety that came with it when I did it for the first time with my older child. Although I have experience, I understand that each child is unique and has specific needs.
I want to emphasize that introducing solid foods should not put too much pressure on parents or cause unnecessary anxiety and stress. During the first six months of life, babies can easily thrive on breast milk or formula. However, weaning should be a simple and fun process, but with so much information available, it can be overwhelming and cause panic. Therefore, it is important to approach weaning calmly and in a balanced way.
Below, I will provide a comprehensive and useful list to help parents feel relaxed and informed. I believe the upcoming posts will cover this topic, and I will recommend some books that have helped me immensely in this process.
When to start introducing solid food?
Weaning means introducing solid foods other than milk, and it should strictly begin after six months of age when the baby can sit up for a few seconds, is healthy, and shows interest in food. These criteria are essential and should not be overlooked.
Familiarize yourself with safety guidelines
- The baby should eat only while sitting in a special chair designed for them. I recommend not using the seatbelt at the beginning, so that you can quickly remove the baby in case of an accident or choking. The baby should not eat in bed, in the mother’s arms, or in the stroller, etc.
- A first aid course would be extremely useful and beneficial to help parents feel confident and relaxed. While not everyone can afford such a course, there are many videos on YouTube that can be watched.
- Read about GAG and choking to be able to tell the difference between them and know when and how to intervene. I will write more about this in future posts.
Feeding equipment checklist
- It is important to have non-toxic spoons made of silicone or BPA-free plastic, with soft ones being the best. Plates or bowls should be made of child-friendly materials and be able to withstand high temperatures if you are using a dishwasher.
- The water bottle with a spout or straw should be small enough for easy cleaning, but also lightweight for small hands.
- And last but not least, you will need bibs made of plastic or cloth to protect your baby’s clothes.
- For cooking, there are various appliances such as steamers, blenders, etc. There are many options available depending on your budget. I do not recommend making large investments in them as they will only be used for a short period. You can also use the traditional method of boiling with a sieve.
Choosing proper solid food to introduce
- Vegetables are preferred because they have a neutral taste and are easier to accept. Of course, you can also start with fruits, but due to the fructose content, children may not be as quick to try new flavors.
- Animal proteins (meat, eggs, cheese) should be added about 2-3 weeks after starting weaning and after a wide range of vegetables have been introduced. Note that they should be combined with vegetables, not fruits.
- Vegetables should be chosen based on the season and the baby’s stool. If the baby has regular stools without changes in consistency, both dense and watery vegetables can be introduced. If the baby is constipated, choose only vegetables that are high in water content to promote bowel movement. For example, zucchini and green beans are high in water. For diarrhea, root vegetables are generally recommended because they have a denser texture and contain less water. Examples of root vegetables include carrots, parsley root, celery, and parsnips.
- Avoid foods that cause bloating, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and white potatoes.
- The baby should eat at lunchtime, when they are well-rested and not too hungry, in order to explore and enjoy this new stage of eating.
How to start introducing solid food?
Regardless of the method you choose, either the traditional method or baby-led weaning, you should introduce only one new food per day to see if a certain food causes allergies or digestive problems. It is also recommended to follow the 3-day rule, which involves introducing a new food every 3 days. During these 3 days, the child can consume any food to which they have not had allergic reactions.
During the first month of weaning, the focus should be on gradually introducing new foods, textures, flavors, colors, and tastes, while the child adapts their diet to solid or semi-solid foods.
- In the first week, it is recommended to offer the child one vegetable per day, in small quantities, to avoid allergic reactions and to get them used to the taste and texture of solid foods.
- In the second week, we still focus on vegetables but increase the amount offered, based on the child’s preferences, without forcing them to eat more than they want. We can also start combining 2-3 vegetables to vary the flavors.
- In the third week, we can introduce animal proteins, such as eggs and meat. After the first 6 months of life, the iron reserves from breast milk or formula are depleted, and a balanced diet is essential to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Proteins should be well-cooked to avoid the risk of infections.
- In the last week, the child has already experimented with many textures and flavors, and now dairy products can be introduced. It is important to offer only pasteurized or boiled dairy products at high temperatures to prevent illnesses. We should not forget the importance of water and make sure that the child receives enough water during weaning.
Weaning should be a gradual process adapted to the individual needs and preferences of the child. It is important to pay attention to the gradual introduction of new foods and monitor the child’s reactions to new foods to detect any allergies or intolerances.
