Starting a child on solid foods can be daunting for many parents. With varying opinions from family, friends and your own thoughts, it can feel overwhelming.
Your baby’s nutrition will evolve as they grow, especially during their first year. Along with breast milk or infant formula, most babies are ready to start solid foods when they’re about 6 months old.
As your growing baby eats more solid food, they’ll start to drink less milk, even though it will remain an important nutritious source for them.
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So, as a mother, how do you know what the telltale signs are?
According to Mediclinic, “Babies should only be introduced to solids from around six months old, it’s about the readiness of the baby, their brain, their gut and their tongue must be sufficiently developed.”
Your baby needs to be able to sit upright and move their head from side to side easily. If they can’t sit up straight, then there is also a high chance that they can’t chew and digest correctly, yet.
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The World Health Organisation states these as signs that your baby is ready for solids:
- When they can hold their head up, unsupported.
- When they watch what you eat with interest and open their mouths to mimic you, possibly even grabbing at your food or utensils.
- When they show interest in tasting what you offer, and don’t try to push it out with their tongue.
Whatever time you start introducing solids to your baby, make sure you let your baby take the lead. Encourage them to touch and play with their food as they learn to take these solids.
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