Infant Weaning Foods: When to Should I Introduce My Baby to Solid Food and What are The Signs of Readiness

Babies between four and six months old will be ready for their first solid food. There are no strict rules on which food to start with, you can either go with high end the jarred cereal or homemade. If you choose to go with homemade infant formula, make sure you process it with utmost care. This article will put you through all the required steps as to when to start your baby with solid foods and signs of solid food (homemade infant formulas) readiness . Read on 

Making homemade baby food is easier than most mothers think and a lot cheaper than the commercial brand. Homemade baby-food recipes allow you to control what your baby should or shouldn't eat like salt, excessive sugar or non-natural flavours. Find out what foods your baby could be allergic to beforehand but don't be afraid to try.

Most others start solid food with pap (processed from corn or millet) commonly called akamu in Nigeria, early when they are about 2 months old, but it is more nutritious when you mix it with soya bean or groundnut, because the nutrients contained in soya beans and groundnut. Most babies easily fall in love with it this combination.

For some rice cereal remains the most recommended because it is the least allergenic baby food, although some parents observed that it causes constipation in their babies.

What is Homemade Baby Food? 

Homemade baby food are locally prepared infant weaning foods or formula carefully formulated to equate a balanced nutrition for babies and the raw materials are high in protein and energy which are produce from our locally available food stuffs.

#Video: What You Need To Know Before Weaning Your Baby

Solid Baby Food: Signs of Readiness for Solid baby Food

• It is adviced that babies should be able to sit unassisted before introducing them to solid foods. If your baby may not be able to sit unassisted – then you shouldn't start him with solid food yet as he may find it difficult to swallow food with ease.
• Your Baby is ready for solid, if he can hold his head up and steady on his own.
• A baby is ready for solid food if he/she has doubled his birth weight - now weighs up to 5 - 6 kg
• Pulls in his lower lip for food instead of sticking it out
• When your baby seems dissatisfied after breast feeding or regular infant formula, that is a sign of readiness. 
• Your baby is ready, if he doesn't push his tongue out at a spoon when you try to feed him.
• If your baby develops interest when watching you eat that also is an indication of readiness.
• Your baby is ready for solid, if he makes mouth movements as he watches you or other people eat.
• Your baby is ready for solid food if he closes his lips over food put in his mouth.

Does Solid Foods Help My baby Sleep Through The Night?

• It's natural to feed babies at night after four months but most parents start feeding their babies with solids foods.
• If your baby is born premature or preterm, consult your pediatrician before you take any step.
• If your baby's digestive system isn't ready, your baby’s system may suffer constipation.

If you're Introducing Your Baby to Solid Foods, below Are Some Safety Tips:

• What to Look out For When Feeding Your Baby on Solid Foods:
• Ensure you make your baby food with fresh vegetables and fruits. It is better to
• avoid canned or frozen foods.  If you most use them read the labelled instruction.
• Avoid adding salt, flavour or sugar.
• Naturally, our taste buds entertain sweet tastes, your baby is not likely to reject sweet-tasty fruits and vegetables like mashed or blended carrots and boiled (mashed) sweet potatoes.  
• Never leave your baby alone when he/she is feeding, to avoid choking.
• As your baby picks interest in solid foods, increase the texture and quantity of the food little by little.

Conclusion: When to Start Your Baby with Solid Foods

Starting your baby with help your baby sleep through the night. If your baby's digestive system isn't ready, it may result to discomfort in your baby which may keep you and your baby awake although the night.

You can also introduce new flavours in your baby’s food such as small quantity of banana, apple and pear. As time goes on when your baby is about 4-6 months old, you may have to create more flavours like avocado pear and sweet potato but avoid giving your baby any food containing gluten.