\n* He\/She is younger than 4 months (ie: before 17 weeks).
\n* They cannot sit up in a semi-reclined highchair without falling to one side.
\n* Your Dr has advised you to delay solids due to medical conditions.
\n* Premmy babies may be advised to delay solids based on their expected due date. Check with your doctor.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months. \u00a0The reason for this recommendation was to decrease the number of infant deaths in developing countries. \u00a0When solids or even formula are introduced in unsanitary conditions there is a high risk of gastroenteritis and infection. \u00a0The older an infant is, the greater the chance of survival. However in developed countries \u00a0studies have shown no difference in rates of gastroenteritis when solids are introduced at 4 months. \u00a0WHO also mentions that <\/span>exclusive breastfeeding to six months could lead to growth faltering, iron and other micronutrient deficiencies in some<\/span> infants.<\/p>\n New studies are being carried out to see if introducing solids at 4 months rather than 6 leads to a lower incidence of food allergy and coeliac disease. These studies will take some time to complete. \u00a0For more information on the debate of when to introduce solids this article in the British Medical Journal\u00a0BMJ <\/abbr>2011;\u00a0342:c5955mj<\/a> gives a good roundup of current information or read the British Dietitians Association position statement.<\/p>\n So why would you wait until 6 months if you live in a developed country? \u00a0All babies develop at different rates and your baby may just not be ready. \u00a0Alternatively you as a parent may not be ready. You <\/span>might be away on holidays, nervous about starting solids or just enjoying the simplicity of exclusively breast feeding. \u00a0Do not stress. Waiting until 6 months is totally fin<\/span>e. \u00a0You will just need to move through the first stages of solids a little quicker than if you started at 4 months to ensure that your baby gets meat included in their diet sooner.<\/span><\/p>\n If you start at 4 months\u00a0you can take it slow, there is no rush, nutritionally breast milk or formula is fine until 6 months so food is a bonus. \u00a0By the time your baby reaches 6 months they will have tried a range of fruits, vegetables and cereals so you can easily add the meat they need to give the needed iron and zinc. \u00a0You will also have longer on puree before transitioning to the lumpy texture.<\/p>\n Before you start you will need:<\/strong> * bowls – look for suction bottomed bowls so when your little one starts self feeding there are less accidents.<\/p>\n * spoons – first spoons should be soft and the head of the spoon smaller than a teaspoon.<\/p>\n * bibs – I like the plastic scoop ones that can go in the dishwasher but if they are too big use fabric ones to start – pumpkin will stain so don’t choose white.<\/p>\n * Food – You can make your own and freeze it, for more details see the post on home made first foods next week. Or buy age appropriate shop prepared baby food.<\/p>\n * Ensure everything is clean and your hands are washed before preparing or feeding food to your baby.<\/p>\n When do I add another meal in the day?<\/strong> Once your baby is happily eating 2-3 Tablespoons it is time to add another meal.<\/p>\n When do I start lumpy foods instead of puree?<\/strong> at 6-9 months babies start to chew even though they have no teeth, this is when you can start to have small soft lumps in the food. \u00a0Chewing helps develop the jaw muscles which is important for speech. By 9-12 months you can start finger foods. (Note if you are starting solids at 6 months start with puree first).<\/p>\n When can my baby have water from a sippy cup? <\/strong>From about 6 months you can offer water from a soft spouted sippy cup (water not juice is best).<\/p>\n When do I swap and offer breastfeed after the solids instead of before? <\/strong>By 9 months solid meals should be quite substantial and you can start to offer the breast feed second at meal times. \u00a0The amount taken at these feeds will gradually decrease.<\/p>\n Why do people say different things about when to start allergenic foods? <\/strong>Quite a number of years ago it was speculated that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods\u00a0such as egg, peanuts, nuts, wheat, cow’s milk and fish\u00a0may help prevent food allergies. \u00a0Studies done since have shown this to be of no benefit \u00a0In fact new studies seem to indicate that the opposite may be true with one showing that introducing wheat prior to 6 months decreased the risk of coeliac disease and wheat allergy. Other studies are still needed into this area.\u00a0For more information on this see\u00a0The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy fact sheet.<\/a> If you have a family history of food allergy then you know that they can be life threatening, so please consult with your doctor or dietitian about the best time for you to introduce these foods.<\/p>\n I decided to start at 4 months, here is a diary of what I did. Please note this is just to give you an idea of what one baby did, remember all babies are different and their appetites will vary.<\/p>\n Day One<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n* A good high chair – this is an item worth investing in as it will be used everyday for the next couple of years. Look for one with a removable tray, adjustable tilt on the seat, vinyl so it can be easily wiped, wheels so you can pull it closer to you, height adjustable so you can swap from bench to dining table, harness straps for safety, a colour and design that you like. It will be in your kitchen for a while and finally it has to fit your budget.
\nThere are reviews for many of the high chairs on youtube so before you buy do a quick search for the ones your are considering.<\/p>\nFAQ<\/h2>\n
First Foods Diary<\/h2>\n
![\"ann](\"https:\/\/www.howtocookthat.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/hardcover-book-mockup-of-a-woman-reading-3409-el1.png\" "\\"Crazy")
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