When to start baby food
Breastmilk has absolutely everything baby needs for her entire first year. That said, most babies start showing interest in eating foods between 4 and 6 months. Micah really got interested in our food about 5 months. When he would cry if I didn’t let him try a taste, I knew I had to start feeding him. Emersyn is almost 5 months and she’s starting to grab at our spoons, watch the food go from the plate to our mouths and get this look on her face like “oh pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!”
How do I know baby is ready to start eating baby food?
Babies don’t have a popper that sticks out to let you know they are ready to start eating, and all babies are different, so read baby’s behavior and don’t get discouraged if you start too soon, just freeze the food and try again in another week or two! Don’t start feeding before 4 months unless specifically directed by your doctor, baby’s mouth coordination isn’t ready for the work of food until she’s at least 4 months old. Many people also say food helps baby sleep longer at night, but studies show this isn’t true before 4 months old. And it’s not a guarantee; Micah seemed to sleep longer after starting food but it hasn’t made any difference in Emersyn’s sleep habits yet.
Some signs baby is ready to start eating:
Baby is interested in what you are eating and grabs at your food or utensils
Baby eats everything, from her hands to your phone to every toy you could imagine
Baby can hold her head up and sit with support. Whether in a Bumbo or someone’s lap, baby needs to be able to sit up straight and hold her own her up to be able to swallow.
Prepare for Feeding Baby:
If there are any food allergies or history of digestive problems in baby or in the family, check with your doctor first. If you are concerned baby might be sensitive to foods, keep an antihistamine like Benadryl on hand.
It’s going to be messy. Baby will gradually become a pro at moving food to the back of her mouth with her tongue. In the meantime, the food will be on every inch of her body and hands, including under the bib and onsie. Somehow they are magicians at getting peach oatmeal everywhere possible, including the places you won’t find until it’s dry and sticky tomorrow.
Starting food doesn’t mean stopping breastmilk or formula. It means starting with one “meal” a day, gradually working your way up, mixing breastmilk or formula into the food (way more nutritious than water!), and feeding the rest of the day as well as after each “meal”.
Have bibs, lots of wipes and at least 3 spoons. 3 spoons you ask? One for you, one for baby, and one for baby’s other hand. Add 2 more spoons for each other child that will be present. We used 7 spoons last night. The first few days or weeks of feeding baby is a messy dance of getting both hands away, mouth open, tongue down and food in. Don’t worry, it gets better!
Check out some links for more information on knowing when baby is ready and how to get started!
So cute! I’ll be doing that in a couple of months too 🙂
I love when they start eating the first time! So many funny faces
Lol 3 spoons! I would have never thought of that; great idea. My sister-in-law did baby-led weaning, what seems awesome to me, I don’t remember her ever feeding pureed foods, but maybe I just didn’t have a chance to visit during those months.
LOL, I enjoyed the pics you have her. The first one, those eyes are just amazing, beautiful!
Both my babies started around 6-7 months. I could tell they were ready when they started waking in the night again.
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