First foods: Getting your baby started on soilds

Introducing foods | 6 months

Introducing solids is an exciting stage in your child's life where you have the opportunity to develop healthy taste preferences and eating habits. From the age of six months your child should be reading to start learning to eat solids.

But teaching your child to enjoy solid foods and learning how to feed them doesn’t come without its challenges.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Knowing when your baby is ready

Your child should be able to sit up and have good head and neck control, look interested in food and be able to pick up food and put it in their mouth

Some mess

It takes up to 20 times before a child is used to a new flavour. Spitting food and messy meals are part of the food journey.

Self-regulation

Don’t force-feed or have a set amount to give at each meal. Offer food a few times but do not force food into a child’s mouth. Even at this age, your child can regulate their appetite. Start with 5-10ml of food and offer more if your baby wants more.

Food as an experiment

Foods and meals now are part of teaching your child to eat. Milk (either formula milk or breast milk) is still the main source of nutrition. You should still bottle or breastfeed 4-5 times a day.

Introduce texture

Don’t be afraid to give some foods with lumps or even soft finger foods (such as shredded chicken or well-cooked butternut). This starts the process of teaching your child to feed themselves. Your baby may be able to pick up foods with their whole hand, allowing them to eat finger foods.

Gagging can be normal

Gagging or coughing is part of learning to chew and happens when food comes too close to the back of the throat without swallowing. It actually helps to prevent choking. Feeding slowly, with a small spoon and with a softer texture, can help reduce it.

You can purchase the full guide on what foods to try, some more tips, recipes and a meal planner for children 6-12 months old for R90. Leave your email address in the comments below or drop me a mail (kerrypil@gmail.com) if you would like to find out more