Feeding Time

There's a lot of debate about when yo start solid food, how much to give them, and even possible allergies. My answer to these will always be the same. All kids are different and you are the best judge of went they are ready. No matter what anyone says or how much research you do, every milestone is up to you.

The best time to start solid foods is around 4 months. Some doctors will advise to start earlier if they belive that your baby needs additional calories or nourishment.  If your baby us still hungry after a full bottle consistently then starting some sort of foods would be recommended.

Start with some with some sort of cereal (rice or oatmeal). It should only be a few spoonfuls and it should be a very thin consistency. You can mix in breast milk or water and a little bit of formula. After a few days you can adjust the consistency. At the start of feeding you only want to feed them solids once or twice a day. After a few months, you can slowly move them to three solid meals a day. 

When starting any new food try a spoonful or two mixed with a little cereal. This way you can find out if they have any allergies after a small amount. Starting a new food once a week or once every few days is best. That way your baby has time to show any signs of allergies.

Signs of food allergies are:

- Hives or welts
- Flushed skin or rash
- Face, tongue, or lip swelling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Coughing or wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness

Meal time routines should always be the same. Usually, you would feed before giving a bottle or breastfeeding. Make sure, when you can, that you are in a calm, quiet and comfortable environment. The calmer the environment the smoother meal times will be.

Of course, there will be the days when things are crazy and hectic. There will be times that baby wants to throw the food or cup. This is time for you to collect yourself and be calm. Yes, it's frustrating. The calmer you are in dealing with the situation, the less likely it will be to happen again. This is a phase that every kid goes through. Stick with it and it will get better.