#AskTheExpert how to know if the baby is ready for solids ?

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Author of questionGuardian of a 3 yr 9 m old boy3 years ago

A. thank you do much on giving a detailed explanation means alot.

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Shabnam SheikhMom of 2 children3 years ago

A. hii 1. Start when child is developmentally ready. Till then offer only bm /fm. Criteria for solid readiness: Child can sit with support and hold head steady - Has lost tongue thrust: does not push out food 2. Most health authorities (eg WHO, NHS) recommend waiting till the completion of 6 months (180 days) before starting solids. 3. Some signs that can be mistaken for a child being ready for solid foods: - chewing fists - waking in the night when they have previously slept through - wanting extra milk feeds 4. Till 1 year bm/fm is the main source of nutrition and solids are complimentary HOW TO OFFER SOLIDS 5. Child should be seated in upright position for feeding - Can be in your lap or booster chair or high chair. Lying down or in inclined position increase the risk of choking and not recommended #twupright FREQUENCY 6. At 6 months, start with one meal. - Increase meals slowly to offer 2-3 meals by 8m. - By 1 year, child should be offered 3 meals + 1 or 2 snacks 7. Offer solids around 30-45 min after breastfeeding or 1-1.5 hours after formula feed. A very hungry child expects feed and might reject solids. This ensures that BM/FF feeds are not dropped in favour of solids. #twresponsivefeeding WHAT TO OFFER 8. Infant food should be rich in micronutrients like iron and zinc. Also include fat which is required for brain development. #twiron 9. Can start with steamed veggies, porridges, grains, lentils. Also check #twvegfirstweaning. 10. Food should be thick enough to not fall off the spoon #twsolidconsistency. Runny food lacks enough calories and additionally risks displacing the much more nutritious BM/FF.

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