Solid Foods for Teeny Weeny Gobblers

Is your baby on the cusp of 6 months?

Wondering how to make the transition, from breast milk and formula, to solids?

Say no more.

We’re doing you a real solid, by giving you all the details about solid foods!!

Here are 4 of the most common questions, about solid foods, answered in a simple and helpful manner.

Why do babies need solid foods?

A mother’s milk is packed with all the essential nutrients a baby needs to grow and develop.

For the first 6 months, a newborn will tap into this rich nutrient source. 

They will also use up the sustenance stored in their bodies from the time they were in the womb.

But babies’ nutritional stores tend to deplete as they get bigger.

By half a year, babies need to start having solid foods, for an additional source of nutrients.

When should you introduce solid foods?

As newborn babies grow, they will begin to depict certain signs of readiness.

But what are they gearing up for?

A new diet, of course!

The allure of solid foods begins to set in at the tender 6-month stage. 

And all you need to know, to be absolutely sure about your baby’s willingness, is to look for the clues.

These tell-tale suggestions include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Sitting upright.
2. Supporting the head and neck.
3. Reaching out for food.
4. Opening wide for a spoonful.
5. Swallowing food as opposed to spitting it out.
6. Transferring food from the front to the back of the tongue.

If you’ve noticed the above, it’s time to make the change.

Do remember, feeding with solids is unsafe from 0-to-5 months, because it can trigger digestive problems in babies.

How should you introduce solid foods?

When you’re first introducing solids to your infant, experiment with 1-2 teaspoons of food a day. 

Consider introducing a new solid every 3-4 days, so that you can observe any potential allergic reactions.

At first, your baby might have a meagre appetite and probably won’t take in much.

But as your baby grows, so will the yearnings.

So, you can gradually increase the amount.

The key is look out for the hunger yays such as leaning in, and identifying the hunger nays like clamping the mouth shut. 

By 12 months, your baby should be consuming approximately 3 small meals a day, along with breastmilk.

Nom nom!

What types of solid foods should you introduce? 

For when those little gourmands are ready to dig in, here’s a roundup of solid foods to offer:

1. Banana - rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin and vitamin B6.
2. Mung Bean - packed with protein, iron, fibre, vitamins, minerals and probiotics.
3. Sweet Potato - loaded with fibre, vitamin C and vitamin E.
4. Carrot - a great source of fibre and vitamin B6.
5. Apple – a provider of soluble and insoluble fibre
6. Broccoli – a powerhouse of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, zinc and iron.
7. Pear – a gateway to dietary fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.
8. Finger Millet – a haven for calcium and vitamin D concentrates.
9. Oats – a playground of proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fibres, vitamins and minerals.
10. Tapioca – filled with calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin K.

Mamas and dadas, are you ready to cook up, or should we say - smash up, a storm?