After 6 months, solid foods can be introduced to babies as they develop the abilities to hold their head up, control their tongue, and show interest in what others are eating. Small tastes of smooth, pureed foods should be offered once a day at first, then increased to 2-3 times daily as babies adapt. Iron-rich foods like meat, poultry, and legumes should be included daily to prevent deficiencies. Between 7-9 months, lumpy foods can be given as babies learn to chew by watching caregivers. Self-feeding should be encouraged with finger foods as babies near 8-9 months and start using spoons.

1. Healthylivingfromthe firstdaysof life.
The Right time tostart feedingyourbabysolidfoods.
In the firstsix monthsof your baby’slife breastmilkorwidelyavailableinfantformulawillmeetall of
your baby’snutritional fulfillment.After approximatelyasix monthperiodthe infantshouldbe readyto
start consumingmore solidfoods. The infantwill be readytoconsume solidfoodswhenthe abilityto
holdthe headup and be seatedwithsome supportisnoticeable.The infantmustbe able to have
control of the tongue.Youwill alsonotice aninterestintowhatotherseat.Startingyourinfantonsolid
foodstooearlyis nota goodthingas the abilitytoswallow maynotbe ready.The digestive system
mightalsonot be readyto processmore solidfoods.Alsostartingtoolate withsolidfoodscanleadto
nutrientdeficienciesand feedingproblemsaswell.If youhave anyuncertainties withregardstoyour
child’sreadinessforsolidfoodsconsultyourchildandfamilynurse ora doctor.
Startingfeedingyourbabysolidfoods.
Thiswouldbe the perfectopportunityforyoutostart instillingamealtime routine foryourbabyfrom
the veryfirstmeal.Findinganice quietplace where youandthe babycan focuson what needstobe
done isdefinitely agreatstart.Start by givingyourinfantsmall tastesof solidfoodafterconsumptionof
breastmilkorinfantformulaaboutonce aday, afterdoingthisalterthe routine a bitby givingmore
small solidfoodtastestwotothree timesa daywhile the infantadaptsto the consumptionof solid
foods.There are three stagesto feedingyourinfant,the firsttastes,thiswouldbe verysmoothfoodsor
somewhatlumpyfoodstoencourage chewing.Self-feedingstagesandfamilymeals.
The firsttastesfeedingof yourinfant.
Allowthe infanttofeedonbreastmilkorinfantformula,give the infantatinyamountof solidfood.The
consistencyforthe solidfoodshouldbe verysmooth. The dietof ababy requiresthe intake of extra
ironat roundaboutsix months,includingjustone iron-richfoodinyourinfant’sdailydietcanprevent
irondeficiency.Somereallygoodfoodsourcesare pureedmeatandpoultryfoodsandcookedand
pureedlentils,beansandlegumes.
Guidingyourinfanttochewing
From aroundsevento nine months, alot of infantsare able to consume thickertexturesandlumpier
foods.Infantslearnbywatchingwhatyoudo,why notshow your babyhow you eatlumpyfoods,show
the infantyourchewingmotion,alsotell the infant“chew the food”asyou are chewingit.By the
repetitionof thismethodyourinfantwill know exactlywhattodo.You shouldmake sure thatyour child
alwayshave a large varietyof food and mustcoverall the foodgroups,grains,meat,poultry,fishand
eggs,fruit,Vegetablesandlegumes,Dairy.
Self-FeedingSupport
Gettingto eighttonine monthsthere are manybabiesthatlike tofeedthemselves,asthe parentyou
shouldencourage theirefforts bygivingfingerfoodsforthe infanttoeat.Allow yourbabyto getmessy
withthe food,at thispointyoucan also allow the infanttostart eatingsoftfoodslike custardandyogurt
witha spoon.Playingwiththe foodisa natural wayfor babiestolearnaboutdifferentkindsof food.