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It’s what all moms look forward to - Baby’s first solid food. However, this first step towards weaning comes with a lot of questions that need to be answered: when is the right time, what food to give, and how much.

When

It is well-known that giving Baby solids too early can lead to tummy problems and food allergies. What is less known, based on recent studies, is that a late start into solid diet, say 7 months and beyond, can also lead to health problems, such as diabetes and celiac disease [1]. The rule of thumb is to give Baby the first spoonful between 4 and 6 months. The exact time point would depend whether Baby is ready or not. Baby is ready when it gets hungry soon after breastfeeding. Baby should be able to sit up and turn its head away to say “No, I’ve had enough.” And Baby should be able to swallow properly.

What

As Baby grows older, breast milk alone cannot provide all its energy and nutritional needs. That’s where complementary food – solid food comes in. Cereals, vegetables, and fruits are the most common foodstuff you’ll find in Baby’s first solid. A lot of moms out there are worried about gluten, the food stuff contained in cereals, mainly because of Celiac disease. Celiac disease is a nutritional disorder that makes people sensitive to gluten. However, recent studies show that gluten shouldn’t be left to the very last (beyond the 6th month). Instead, it should be introduced in small amounts, one type of grain at a time, as complementary food to breast milk. No, breastfeeding shouldn’t be stopped at all but should be continued fully while Baby gets used to cereals. This feeding combination can actually delay in babies who are genetically most likely to get it [1]. However, there are certain foodstuffs that you should definitely keep away from Baby till much, much later: fish, eggs, nuts, and citrus fruits.

How much

Baby’s tummy can only hold 200 ml of food at a time so don’t get carried away. Overfeeding Baby is definitely something you should avoid. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that solid food be given 2 to 3 times a day when Baby reaches the age of 4 to 6 months as complementary food to breast milk. This should then be slowly increased to 5 times a day by the time Baby reaches 12 months.

So if you think both Baby and Mom are ready for the spoon, then it’s time for the fun (and the mess) to begin!

Sources:

[1]
Guandalini S (2007). The influence of gluten: weaning recommendations for healthy children and children at risk for celiac disease. In: Agostoni C, Brunser O. (eds). Issues in Complementary Feeding. Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Pediatr Program 60: 139-155.

[2]World Health Organization (2000). Complementary feeding: family foods for breastfed children.