We have prepared for you useful information about starting solid food for your baby, we wish you learn something new from it and enjoy it.

1. Starting Solids
By Vandana Chawla

2. Objectives
To understand:
• When to start Solids
• How To start Solids
• What to give as first foods and,
• Night Feeding

3. Are you in a hurry to introduce new foods?
Do Not Forcibly introduce new foods
.
Remember, foods should
be introduced only
when baby is
Physically ready to
handle them.

4. When Is the Baby Ready For Solids ?
• Baby is around 6 months of age.
• Able to sit with support.
• Reaches & grabs for food.
• Trying to reach for plate.
• Mimic's your eating behaviour.
• Every child will have his own calendar.
Remember, immediate goal is to introduce
new foods and
not fill up his tummy with these
foods

5. Why to Wait ???
• Baby’s intestines & stomach need to mature.
• Young babies have tongue- thrust reflex.
• Swallowing mechanism is also slow.
• Baby should be able to sit.
• Very young infants are not equipped to chew.
• From a Nutrition perspective, milk fulfils all the needs till 6 months.
‘Let the baby show readiness for new foods
& then try new foods’

6. Feed Related Tips ….
• Offer new foods in the morning.
• Introduce one new food at a time.
• Start with rice cereals first.
• Do not use cereal as a ‘filling food’ .
• Next, comes well pureed strained veggies & fruits.
‘ Following a sequence will help thechild to
adapt better’

7. Fruity & Veggie Tips….
• Start with bananas.
• Stewed apples/ Apple sauce another variation.
• Carrots & Sweet potatoes – nutritionally ideal food.
• Pears & Peaches are also good choices.
• Avocados an ‘ideal nutrient dense food’. Can be given with apple/pear sauce.
• You can also use ‘Hero Baby Jars’. For details, refer to
http://www.facebook.com/herobaby.mea#!/herobaby.mea?sk=app_10442206389

8. Tips for Night feeders
• Keep baby’s tummy full with frequent feeds during the day.
• Feed baby before you sleep.
• Don’t let baby sleep with bottle.
• Give your little one light massage before sleep.
• Sleep when your baby sleeps.

9. What Do I Do ??
If my baby cries,
If Thirst, give water & Not Milk, Not Juice
If Hunger, feed them appropriately
If Companionship, pick them up & Not feed them
Feeding with Love & Feeding them
what they want will result in better
Growth

10. First Year ……
A time to lay foundation for future ahead
• Encourage Healthy Eating.
• Introduce your baby to the world of varied foods.
• Allow the child to explore and enjoy.
• Discourage unacceptable behaviour in a warm way.
‘A wise and loving Mother offers Nutrition
& Affection together’.

11. Any Questions…….
If you have any questions, please post them at
www.facebook.com/herobaby.mea