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All you need to know before starting with solids
The current Ministry of Health guidelines are that up untill the age of 6 months, the main form of nutrition should be breast milk or baby formula. At the same time, depending on the baby's readiness, the recommendation is to start with small tastes of solid foods between the ages of 4 months (17 weeks) and 6 years months (24 weeks).
Gradual introduction of solid food is optimal for the baby from both a nutritional and developmental point of view. These tastings, as small as they may be, expose of the immune system to a variety of new things, building and strengthening in preparation for future challenges.
At the age of six months, breastfeeding or formula feeding no longer meet all the nutritional requirements such as the amount of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals, and supplements of solid food are necessary.
Eating experiences are essential for the baby's motor development. Chewing and swallowing, are movements that will help with speech in the future. Exposure to different textures and tastes, proprels baby towards the independence.
"Tastings" refers to small amounts that are between a quarter of a teaspoon and two teaspoons of solid food. Do not exceed this amount in order not to burden the sensitive digestive system of the little baby.
In the past, the recommendations were to delay allergenic foods such as cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, grains until after baby's first birthday. However, recent studies show that postponing the exposure actually created the opposite effect, increasing the incidence of allergies. Therefore the recommendation is to expose babies to all types and kinds of foods, such as:
Fruits and vegetables, proteins such as beef, chicken, turkey, fish and eggs, as well as legumes and grains. Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese can be added to the baby's menu.
The current recommendation is to postpone offering cow's milk until after 1st birthday.
The first attempt at solids should be when the baby is hungry, but not too hungry, and when she is alert and in a good mood.
Get things set up in advance. The baby can be fed in the infant carrier, stroller, highchair on while on an adults lap. Stock up with kitchen paper, wet wipes and your phone (for some hillerious photos!)
Check the temperature of the food carefully before serving it, makig sure it is lukewarm or at room temperature.
At first, try each food type individually to rule out allergic reactions. After "experimenting" with several different foods, you can start combining them.Most people start with fresh or steamed vegetables and then with some meat added. Later you can try fruits, grains and legumes.
As long as the baby's main form of nutrition is breast milk or formula there is no need to add water. The baby's stomach is small and the addition of water sometimes prevents the appropriate caloric intake.
When a solid meal replaces a bottle/breastfeeding, add water to the menu. Do not give the baby juices, sugary or sweetened drinks or tea (including green tea and special tea marketed as tea for babies).
Botulism bacterium spores exist in honey, and are potentially fatal to babies.
Honey should not be given to babies before the age of 2.
Every baby is unique, with their own development. Around the age of six months, you can gradually increase the amount of solid food, until it replaces a milk meal. Here are some saigns of readiness:
When the first solid meal has replaced breastfeeding or formula meal (usually between the ages of 7-9 months), a second meal can be added.
By the age of 1 year, a big part of baby's nuturtion should be based on the family menu.
