{"id":711,"date":"2022-05-26T03:09:56","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T03:09:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/littlepeopleeat.co.nz\/?p=711"},"modified":"2023-06-06T07:58:36","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T07:58:36","slug":"how-to-start-your-baby-on-solids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/littlepeopleeat.co.nz\/?p=711","title":{"rendered":"How to start your baby on solids"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Baby<\/p>\n

Breastmilk or formula remains a significant source of nutrition for the first year. Milk feeds precede complementary foods until 8-9 months of age, after which time food can be given first.<\/p>\n

Tips on starting solids<\/span><\/h3>\n

Whatever feeding approach you use for starting solids, start with one meal per day and offer a new food every two days. This ensures that any reaction to a particular food can be identified.  Once you have successfully introduced a food into your baby\u2019s diet, continue offering the food regularly to maintain familiarity and tolerance to potential food allergens.<\/p>\n

Every baby is different, and some may only take 1 spoonful when first starting solids, while others may consume \u00bc-1\/2  cup.  Use a shallow silicon spoon specific for babies, and ensure your baby is well supported in a high chair.  Use rolled up towels or other padding around your baby\u2019s hips for support, if needed.  Follow your baby\u2019s cues for readiness to add in a second daily meal, which may be in 1-3 weeks\u2019 time.  When they\u2019re ready, add the third daily meal.<\/p>\n

Use a large plastic mat under your baby\u2019s high chair to catch any mess. It is important to allow your baby to get messy through food exploration, which may include rubbing food in their hair!  Food exploration teaches your baby about the sensory properties of food such as smell, touch, and taste.  This is an important part of learning food acceptance and can help to avoid future food fussiness.  Leave any cleaning up or wiping of your baby to the end of the meal. Also avoid scraping spoons across your baby\u2019s sensitive lips.<\/p>\n

\"spoons<\/p>\n

How can I tell when my baby is finished eating?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Be watchful for your baby\u2019s cues that show when they have finished eating. These may be turning their head away, clamping their lips shut, pushing or throwing food or spoon away, or becoming upset.  Babies have a unique ability to sense their fullness and needs. Being responsive to your baby’s cues can avoid over-riding this.  The Division of Responsibility by Ellyn Satter describes responsive feeding as follows:<\/p>\n

The parent\/caregiver determines where, when, and what food is offered.<\/p>\n

The baby or child determines if they will eat and, if so, how much.<\/p>\n

See link below for further information.<\/p>\n

Foods to avoid giving your baby when starting solids<\/span><\/h3>\n

For health and safety reasons, there are several foods that need to be left out of your baby\u2019s diet, which are:<\/p>\n