Around five months of age you need to introduce solids to supplement breast or formula feeds. Initially, feeding your bub solids is all about tasting food, not about how much they eat. Let's talk about what to expect when introducing solids.
By 4 months of age, a healthy baby's gut is mature enough for solids. Commence slowly, starting with one meal (and five milk feeds) a day, building up to three meals (and four milk feeds) a day by six months of age. Offering one new food every 4 to 5 days is a safe pace. This way if your bub reacts to a food you have a good idea what it was that caused the reaction. To provide continuity of taste, add the next new food to the one already given.
Some babies are quicker to respond to this new way of eating and others are reluctant to try. Never force. Allow your baby to process the food in their mouth. I guarentee your baby will pull faces and you may think it means "I really dont like this". Keep in mind, your bub has only ever tasted milk, the very different textures and tastes of food will suprise them. Your baby will be watching you to see how you react, so put on a confident face and encourage your baby.
Offer food for the first time in the morning, after the second milk feed around 9 or 10am-ish. This way if there is a reaction, you have the day time to sort it out. Milk is by far the most important food upto 9 months of age. Between 5 and 9 months of age offer milk first, followed by solids (about 10 minutes after). It is all about tasting food at this point, offer as much as your baby is willing to eat. Some babies are so ready to eat solid food they will eat more than you expect. However, do not be suprised if the amount fluctuates from day to day. Also, don't be surprised if the baby does not open his/her mouth automatically. All you can do is offer as a taste. It is a new skill, take your time.
Once your baby has had 2 different veges and all is well, no signs of reaction or intolerance, it is time to offer food in the morning and evening (after the milk feed). At this point, taste is still more important than quantity. The meal is not to 'fill them up' so they sleep better and longer. It is a myth to believe a well fed baby sleeps better and longer.
Never force eating. Look for cues that tell you he/she does not want to eat or eat more. Your bub may turn away, try to blow raspberries, refuse to open mouth, use hands to brush the spoon away etc. Do obey the refusal and offer again next day.
Be aware that your baby may 'gag' while eating. This is NOT choking. Choking means a baby cannot breathe and the airway is blocked. Gagging is simply that the food has gone a little too far back and is a reflex action to bring the food forward. Gagging helps the tongue better handle the food and prepare it for swallowing.
It really is a messy time and a baby will definitely show their finger painting ability...have a camera at the ready, they make for good birthday viewing! As messy as it gets, worry not, just have the garden hose ready for a quick wash down! Joking of course.
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