Introducing Solid Foods How soon is too soon?

Infants Are Fed Solid Food Too Soon, C.D.C. Finds cdc-finds.html?_r=0

Doctors recommend waiting until 6 months- start solid foods. “When a baby is ready to start eating food, he will put his hands in his mouth, and you will see him actually making chewing motions,”. At 2, 3 months, they can’t even hold their heads up well, and they can’t sit,” making it difficult, if not dangerous, to put solid food in their mouths.

First feedings. h?v=LGzuykwYzU8

Risks of starting too soon: Babies have not developed proper gut bacteria that allows them to process solid food safely, potentially leading to gastroenteritis and diarrhea, increased risk of obesity Diabetes celiac disease Food allergies Introducing solid foods early means that the baby gets less breast milk over the course of their infancy, and that decreases the ability to get optimal benefits, like protection against infection,"

Why do 40% of parents start too soon? Myth that it helps babies sleep through the night. Doctors say sleep is an acquired skill. “The formula gets really expensive, especially in the 4-to- 6-month window.” Many are young, unmarried, low income mothers. Breast feeding mothers are less likely to start solid foods too early.

Signs your baby is ready for solid foods: sitting up, being able to take food off a fork not closing the mouth when food is offered **When the baby is fussy, they need to help them understand that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re hungry and need solid foods. VDxA 2:48 VDxA

Ready?

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How to introduce solid foods? P. 277 Don’t Rush solid foods. Introduce foods gradually- no more than 1 new food each week. Why? Choose nutritious foods- few added ingredients, bland. BE PATIENT: may refuse foods several times before accepting.

What foods should baby not eat??

Learning to self feed: Usually around 9 months of age. P. 278 MESSY AND TIME CONSUMING! Complete feeding babies and BABY FOOD SEARCH