Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and therefore cannot prescribe, treat, or diagnose. I’m a mom and health coach sharing my knowledge and experiences for educational purposes. This does not take the place of any professional medical advice.
Once your baby hits 6 months old, that’s usually when the pediatrician gives the green light to start introducing solid food or purees. As your child grows their nutritional needs become more complex.
Breast milk or formula remain Baby’s main source of nutrition for the first year of their life, and sometimes babies aren’t interested in solids yet at 7 months old. Remember the phrase “Food before 1 just for fun!”
One of the beautiful things about parenting is that you’re more attuned to your child’s signals than anyone else. When it comes to the readiness for solid foods, look out for these cues:
- Interest in what you’re eating — either eyeing or even reaching for your food.
- The ability to sit up with support and good head control, showing that their digestive system is reasonably developed.
- Increased appetite, suggesting that milk alone may not be enough to keep them satiated.
Remember every baby is different, so if your baby isn’t interested in solids at this point, that is okay! And it’s nothing to worry about.
When you do start to introduce solids, keep a few things in mind:
- Begin with single-ingredient purees, such as sweet potato, to assess allergies and reactions. It was also suggested to me to introduce veggies before fruits.
- Homemade food is always better, especially knowing some baby foods are known to contain heavy metals.
- Avoid adding seasonings or sugars in an attempt to make the food taste better. Introducing the natural taste and texture of foods is an important step in their development.
- Consider the timing of your feedings. Offer solids about an hour after a milk feed, not too close to avoid discouraging further breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
- Solid Starts is a great site to reference during this time.
By being mindful of your child’s cues and needs, providing nutrient-dense foods, and navigating this transition with patience, you’re setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
If you enjoyed this article, you’ll love my Facebook group where I share new mom healthy living tips! You can join here.
See you there!
xo, Mary