Introducing Solid Foods

Parents often get conflicting and confusing advice about introducing solid foods to their infants. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six month before slowly introducing solid foods. However, some Western countries, like the United States, introduce solids as early as four months. 

There are a number of solid foods you can introduce to your baby, including cereal, fruits, veggies and meats. Normal, healthy babies should be given a variety of foods. In order to help maintain your milk supply, consider offering solids after your baby has nursed. Also, whatever solid foods you offer should include two important minerals – iron and zinc. 

So how do you know when to introduce solids? Your baby will usually display some signs of readiness: 
• Hand-eye coordination
• A developed immune system
• A mature digestive system
• The presence of teeth
• A growth spurt that’s unresolved with more frequent nursing

Introducing solids can be a fun, pleasant experience for both moms and babies. Whether you introduce solids at four months or six months, breast milk will still be your baby’s primary food source until the age of one, offering continued protection from illnesses. 

-Sue, IBCLC