Must-Know Tips for Starting Solids

It may seem like everyone has an opinion when it comes to starting solids. Read on to find out which tips to follow -- and which you can ignore.

By Sally Kuzemchak, RD from Parents Magazine

Share:
Save

Saved
Print
Comments

Alexandra Grablewski
Smart Advice: When to Start

Start solids at 4 to 6 months. Up until then, your baby's digestive system can't handle anything besides breast milk or formula. But don't wait much longer to start, or your baby may get so accustomed to her liquid diet that she loses interest in learning to chew and swallow solid foods.
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Fancy Photography/Veer

Smart Advice: No Cereal in the Bottle

Your baby doesn't need the extra calories that it adds to formula -- unless your pediatrician advises it. Plus, thickened formula can cause babies to gag or inhale the liquid into their lungs.

What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Smart Advice: Intro One Food at a Time

When you wait two to three days between offering new foods, it's easier to spot allergic reactions like diarrhea, vomiting, or rash -- though most symptoms appear within four hours of eating.
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Alexandra Grablewski

Smart Advice: Try, Try Again

Don't ditch a new food if your baby winces after tasting it. Babies may need to try a food 10 times before accepting it, so offer it again several days later -- or mix it with something you know he likes.

What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Linda Farwell
Don't: Always Start with Rice Cereal

True, it's unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction, but there's no reason you can't begin with other foods -- such as applesauce or pureed meat.
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
BananaStock/Jupiter
Don't: Offer Veggies Before Fruit

If you want to, offer fruit first. There's no evidence that babies won't like veggies if they've already had fruit.
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Juice Images/Veer
Don't: Shy Away from Meat

Research shows that babies who eat meat earlier have a higher intake of zinc and iron, nutrients important for growth. Start with pureed chicken.
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Alexandra Grablewski

Don't: Serve Bland Food

Babies should learn to enjoy plain fruits and veggies, but running mildly spicy ravioli through the baby food mill is okay too.

Originally published in Parents magazine.

What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
Baby's First Bite: White Rice or Whole Grains?
What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!