When Do Babies Start Eating Solids?

Babies start eating around 6 months, though this can vary a lot depending on the baby’s characteristics and the family itself. If conditions are right, some babies can start on solid foods as early as 4 or 5 months. Although it will always be under the supervision of the pediatrician, who will determine if it is time to introduce food.

Once the babies start to eat, a stage full of exciting moments begins. Both for the baby and for the family, because discovering food is quite an adventure, but seeing how your baby grows and how he develops is one of the greatest satisfaction for fathers and mothers. If your baby is about to start this new phase, don’t miss these tips on supplemental feeding.

At what age do babies start eating solids?

They generally start around 6 months introducing solid foods in the baby’s diet. This age is not by choice, it is because the baby’s digestive system is mature and can absorb food better that are not breast milk or formula. Once the supplemental feeding has started, the food is introduced little by little.

It is very important to follow some guidelines when introducing food, in fact there are several options for it. In the past, the baby’s food was always mashed, mashed or given porridge. Nowadays many families choose other options in which the baby gets more autonomyis what is known as (BLW) baby led weaning.

Basically, it involves offering food in its natural form, rather than crushed and mixed with other foods. In this way the baby can enjoy the food individually, play with textures and in theory eat exactly what you need. And since until the year milk is the staple food, it seems like a good option. The advantages of this method are many, e.g.

• The baby learns taste food separatelysometimes the pureed mixtures are not very successful and that prevents it from having a pleasant taste.
• The transition to coarse feeding it is easier. Babies who start with pureed foods should then have a new learning experience of eating whole foods, in chunks and with utensils.
• The small you can enjoy food in a more natural way and take what you really need to satisfy your appetite. When feeding mashed potatoes there is a tendency to give more in terms of quantities and the little one can become overfed.
• I know develop skills such as motor skills, because the baby can manipulate the food and bring it directly to the mouth. This is an important step forward in their psychomotor development.

Guidelines for Babies Starting to Eat

Foods should be introduced one by one for various reasons. First, because it is necessary to see how your body absorbs the food, if it suits you or causes intolerance. It’s also a good way to find out if he likes the taste of said foods and if several are mixed it’s hard to know which one he’s turning down.

It is also essential to leave 2 to 3 days between each feeding, as your body can react that way if it does not tolerate it well. As for the order, today pediatricians often contradict each other depending on his age. But what is known is that it is important to start with the most digestible foods to prepare the baby’s digestive system for the new job.

Do not rush and enjoy this new phase in your baby’s life, which will be full of fun, exciting moments and of course excitement. It is very important not to force the baby to eat, or to force him to take something he does not want. Try a different food, let him get used to it and try again after a while. Enjoy these moments when the baby starts to eat because they are unique and unrepeatable.