We just started our 5 month-old, 16-17 lb. baby on solid food. We gave him rice cereal mixed with breast milk two days ago. How much rice cereal should we give him at this point? And when should we start giving him single fruits/vegetables? In a week? In a few days?
Congratulations on beginning the feeding adventure!
Children between four and six months of age who take solid foods should be fed solids once or twice a day. The ideal timing for one of the feedings is thirty to sixty minutes before bedtime. This will produce the maximum drowsiness for an excellent nights sleep.
The first few days most kids will tend to push the cereal right back out with his tongue. This is because babies have a thrust reflex causing their tongue to thrust back out anything that is put in their mouths. Take plenty of videos of this very cute stage because it passes, oh so quickly.
Within several days your son will begin to get the idea of closing his lips around the spoon and swallowing. Once he does, you can begin to monitor the amount of food he needs. In order to determine this, (which is not a pre-determined amount, but varies from child to child) keep moving the spoon towards his mouth and look for signs that he is losing interest. If he turns his head away, clamps his lips shut, or appears bored, it is time to stop. Otherwise, keep moving the spoon to his mouth as long as he keeps opening it and looking happy.
Healthy children are very good at regulating their own intake. By starting with a spoon, resting between bites, and stopping when your child is full, you will be laying an excellent foundation for good eating habits throughout his life.
After your son has done well with rice cereal, you can begin feeding him oatmeal and barley. Other solids can be introduced once he has been eating cereal for a week or two and is tolerating it well.
Strained vegetables are the next foods to be introduced for most children (though late, reluctant eaters may need to be enticed by fruits). Good first vegetables include peas, green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and carrots. I like starting with the green vegetables first because most babies enjoy the orange vegetables more.
Give your son only one new food at a time. Be sure to wait three to five days before starting another one to determine if he has any reaction to a food.
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Congratulations on beginning the feeding adventure!
