The First Solid Food (www.ianrpubs.unl.edu)

The First Solid Food

Baby's first solid food should be dry-packed, iron- fortified baby cereal mixed with breast milk, formula or water. Dry cereals are usually the first solid foods given to infants because they meet the baby's iron requirements. Start with rice cereal since it is least likely to cause an allergic reaction. After successfully feeding rice cereal for a week, you may introduce another infant cereal such as oatmeal or barley cereal. Wheat and mixed cereals should be introduced last because of possible allergic reactions. To mix baby's first cereal, use 1 teaspoon dry cereal with 2 to 3 tablespoons of breast milk, formula or water. Read the label on the dry cereal package and use the liquid recommended. The mixture should be very thin. As your baby is able to accept more food, mix equal parts of liquid to dry cereal. Do not use raw or pasteurized cow's milk to mix cereal. Cow's milk is difficult for a baby's system to digest until after 1 year of age.

At first give only a small amount of cereal - about 1 teaspoon twice a day. Gradually increase it to 2 to 3 tablespoons twice a day. Remember, your baby's appetite for food will be small at first. Learn your baby's signals for fullness such as starting to play, blowing bubbles, pushing the spoon away or turning the head. Respect your baby's signals for being full. Feeding babies only when hungry will teach them to pay attention their appetite. Never force feed your baby.

Introducing vegetables, fruits and meats

Introduce strained vegetables and fruits after the baby is comfortable with eating cereal. Introduce one vegetable or fruit at a time. Watch for reactions that may indicate food sensitivity. Begin by adding mild-flavored vegetables such as carrots, yellow squash, sweet potatoes or green beans and then add fruits such as peaches, applesauce and pears. After your baby accepts several kinds of vegetables, offer two varieties each day for added nutrition. Beets, spinach and collard and turnip greens have nitrates and should be introduced after 1 year of age. Vegetables usually are introduced first because starting with the sweet taste of fruits may make some vegetables less appealing.

Offer strained, lean meats after your baby fully accepts vegetables and fruits. As with cereals, vegetables and fruits, offer a single meat at a time and watch for an allergic response. Meat dinners are not recommended because they have less protein than single ingredient foods such as strained meats or vegetables. Introduce cooked egg yolks after meats have been accepted. Egg whites may cause a food reaction and should not be introduced until after baby's first birthday.