Making the Transition: "A Parent's Learning to Introducing Solids"

As I have mentioned in my previous breastfeeding blog babies demand and communicate that they are ready to take solids around 180 days. We don't need to stick to the completion of 6 months. It will be around 170-190 days. Please listen to your baby and then start.

When to Start: Understanding the Signs of Readiness for Solid Foods

1. Baby will be able to sit in a tripod position (with their hand support) for at least a few mins
2. Baby will show interest in food while you are eating
3. Baby will have hand-mouth coordination
To read more about readiness in detail https://solidstarts.com/readiness/

How to introduce it? 

When giving solids, the baby must always be in an upright position. You should not make them flat and give. A high chair will be extremely useful. I purchased one from baby hug in the first cry. You can start 30-45mins after feeding. So that baby will be eager to explore and taste new foods. When they are hungry, they will be cranky and won't like to explore.
You can either choose traditional weaning/baby-led weaning depending on your choice.

Traditional weaning

You feed your baby like our elders did for us. But you need to follow baby cues. If they did not open their mouth or they did not show interest, you should leave them. You should never force them to eat also, you should not distract them and put food in their mouth. Forcing/distracting will make the baby have a negative association with food.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiZwcBZJgm7
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgrE81QpBfJ/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWTmI_vh4gE/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CMNaUzxlMF-/
They should open their mouth or move forward to take a bite if you show your hand with food.

Baby-led weaning

Babies can self-feed themselves from the start. Sounds interesting right? If you offer food they will explore, pick up and then move their hand slowly to their mouth. They're able to eat on their own. You'll need more patience if you want to try this. You should persuade your family elders as well. It will take up their own time to master eating. This process will be messier. But believe me, it's worth it when you see your baby feed by themselves.                        

Still confused?
Check out the below moms' profiles below, they are sharing their experiences with BLW. You'll get an idea from it. Watch these kids from their 7th-month beginning. 
https://www.instagram.com/babyaj_tittu/
https://www.instagram.com/adventuresofmyra_and_kayaan/
https://www.instagram.com/arjun.akhil_theappleofmyeye/

How many times?

Remember, no matter which method you choose, the baby decides how much they need to eat.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXQnujdlqme/
If they only take one or two bites or completely reject the food, you have to respect it and move on without worrying much. Because solids are complimentary. Breastmilk/formula is the major source of nutrition until the age of one year. You have to continue feeding as like before till the first year. After that, you can extend/stop based on your choice. However, it is required for one year. Extended breastfeeding has its own benefits also. The weaning won't happen all of a sudden.  We have to take it very gradually based on the baby's acceptance.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVAeC8JlZ2f/

7th month -> Start with Breakfast
8th month -> Breakfast and lunch
9th month ->  Breakfast, lunch, dinner
10th month -> Breakfast, snack 1, lunch, dinner
11th month -> Breakfast, snack 1, lunch, snack 2, dinner

Similarly, you should increase one meal per month. Remaining time you have to feed breastmilk/formula. Milk will be sufficient for the baby as like before. Trust your body and baby. At the end of six months, there will be significant growth spurts. It will, as usual, settle down on its own. So don't get confused and force the baby to eat more.

What to give?

You don't have to stick with the same purees alone. It is better to introduce all varieties and textures from the start. Check the below reel description to learn better.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cm0hcYghzlX/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChPQRNXpfl2/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfGqAe-pO-O/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcUjd8SFnr5/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXg3Wz6Bon1/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXEjqJkBPeu/

Whatever you are offering should be soft enough to be mashed between our two fingers.

It is important to know how to give each food according to their age. For this, you can refer start solids app. It will be of great help. At 6 months, you can begin introducing all food items as finger foods. The items will be easy for babies to hold with their hands.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cf3m0PYJcUh/

They will be able to hold small pieces with two fingers around 9–10 months, at that time you can reduce the size.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CLfDvwwlKGE/

Also, It is better to understand the difference between choking and gagging. When the baby takes a larger bite, they will naturally spit it out. Actually, this is a good one. This is gagging. You shouldn't worry about it. When a baby swallows an inappropriate size of food without chewing, it will get stuck in their throat. This is choking and it is dangerous. It is better to learn first aid techniques in case a baby accidentally chokes.

Gagging prevents choking.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdvOGIZJ2P9/
To read more https://solidstarts.com/safe-food-sizes-shapes-for-babies/

Start with fruits like bananas and papaya as well as steamed vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. Then gradually introduce everything. When introducing something new, offer it in the morning so you can check for allergies. Not all foods cause allergies in infants. Some babies may be allergic to a few things. It is advisable to introduce allergens also as early as possible. You can read more about it in detail at https://solidstarts.com/allergies-babies/. It is not necessary to give the same food for three days before switching to a new one; this was an outdated one.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdNr_0ahFx8/

Water

Introduce water from the day you start solids, So they can get used to it. You don't need to be concerned about quantity at first, but the offering is important. You don't need to give water in bottles. Better introduce open cup/straw cup. If you feel spillages in the open cup, a straw cup can be provided. It will take them a few days to learn. We can give around 30ml.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClvPziWsB7N/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWGz6rphgHA/

Things need to avoid

1. No salt in any of the food items till one year. 
    Even a pinch of salt will add extra load to their undeveloped kidneys.
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CeYUdjNpofV/
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmMlWAIIjgU/
2. No forms of sugar till 2 years (Honey alone can be introduced after a year)
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChKDyUNJX8k/  
3. No liquid items like coconut water, buttermilk, or fruit juice as a drink till 1year
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnGbq0rhedq/
4. No biscuits https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmYNPxepqKj/
5. No cow's milk till 1 year  https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl6ZIQaoO3D/
6. Avoid Packed foods https://www.instagram.com/reel/CksGlNqrm5h/
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    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZD6eHehjz9/
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWEK7lqhNXk/


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