When is the right time to start solids?
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The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend introducing solid foods to infants around six months of age. However, the readiness to start solids can vary from one baby to another. Here are some signs that may indicate your baby is ready for solid foods:
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Age: Most babies are developmentally ready for solids around six months. Before this age, their digestive systems might not be mature enough to handle solid foods.
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Head Control: Your baby should be able to sit upright and hold their head steady. This is crucial for safe swallowing.
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Loss of Tongue Thrust Reflex: Newborns have a natural reflex to push foreign objects out of their mouths with their tongues. When this reflex diminishes, usually around six months, they can start accepting solids.
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Interest in Others' Food: If your baby starts showing interest in what you're eating and seems eager to reach for food, it could be a sign of readiness.
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Increased Appetite: If your baby seems unsatisfied with breast milk or formula alone and continues to show hunger even after feeds, it might be an indication that they are ready for more substantial food.
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Ability to Chew: Babies should have the ability to move food to the back of their mouths and chew or mash it with their gums.
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Less Tongue Movement: Watch for reduced tongue thrusting or pushing food out with the tongue. This indicates improved control over their mouth muscles.
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Drooling: A decrease in drooling can suggest improved swallowing coordination.
Remember, it's crucial to introduce solids one at a time, waiting a few days between each new food to monitor for any potential allergies. Start with single-grain baby cereal, mashed fruits, or vegetables. As your baby becomes accustomed to solids, you can gradually introduce a variety of textures and flavors.
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Always consult with your pediatrician before introducing solid foods to ensure it aligns with your baby's individual development and health needs. Every baby is unique, and the right time to start solids can vary, so paying attention to your baby's cues is essential.
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Questions:
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My 4 months old baby just received her shots today and the pediatrician advised us about starting solid foods from 6 months of age. But my parents are compelling to initiate solids now because they feel that 6 months may be too late to start. She is on my feeds only and growing well. I am confused.
My 6 months old boy is on my feeds only and growing well. I have been advised to start solids now. But I want to wait a couple of months more as both of us are doing pretty well right now. Is it ok?
My 4 months baby is not much interested in taking my feeds now. She is happy and gaining weight well. I thought my milk is not sufficient and tried formula milk, but she rejected that. My neighbor advised me to start solid foods to the baby. Please advice.
Answer:
Until 6 months of age, the food for a baby is milk, either mother's milk or formula milk. Exclusive breastfeeding is what is recommended until 6 months of age because this decreases the risk of allergies and infection and helps in brain growth. Formula milk is the second best option when it is not possible to give mother's milk to the baby for whatever reason. Thus, milk offers optimal nutrition until 6 months of age. Hence it is best to introduce solids after 6 months of age. However, solids can be introduced anytime between 4 to 6 months of age. 6 months is ideal for several other reasons. A baby's neck control is well established by this age and it is possible to feed the baby in upright propped up position. Also, taste buds begin to develop at this age and babies show interest in various textures and flavors of foods. Newborns have a tendency to push out any hard substance that is introduced into their mouth. This reflex, gradually diminishes by 6 months of age and thus are able to gradually accept solid foods. The coordination between swallowing and breathing is better. The gut is more mature by 6 months of age and becomes suitable for digesting and absorbing solid foods. This many reasons are more than sufficient to convince parents to initiate solid diet after 6 months of age.
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Is it possible to guess whether the baby is ready for food? Of course, yes. When babies are ready to start eating solids, they show interest in other's food. They are able to sit erect on a high chair or infant chair. Drooling of saliva, which is common after 4th month gradually decreases and babies learn to swallow their own saliva. Babies may not be satisfied with milk feeds alone. These cues point towards readiness to start taking solid feeds.
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In some parts of India, especially South India, solids are introduced after a certain ceremony known as “annaprasanam”. This is usually performed in the sixth month in some cultures and seventh month in some other cultures. In rare cases, it is performed in fifth month or eighth month. The custom begins the introduction of solid foods to the babies, especially rice. I encourage parents to follow the tradition and initiate solids in the sixth or seventh month. Fifth month may be too early and eighth month too late. What happens if solids are introduced late? After 6 months of age, milk cannot be the only source of nutrition, though it is the major one until 8 to 10 months of age. Hence is it very important to introduce solids after 6 months of age or just around 6 months age.