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The Committee on Nutrition says babies may be started on solid foods “between 4 and 6 months ” of age. The Committee does not recommend 4 months of age as the absolute starting age however. “At approximately four-to-six months, you can begin adding solid foods.
How to start solids: Nurse your baby before offering other foods. Some babies like to sit in a high chair while others prefer to sit in somebody’s lap. Offer food when the baby is in the mood to learn. Offer small amounts of food. If your baby does not seem to like a new food, offer it again at another time.
4 to 6 months old Pea purée. Share on Pinterest. Banana purée. Often called a “perfect” food, bananas are rich in potassium and fiber. Baby brown rice cereal. Rice cereal is one of the most common foods to introduce because it’s less allergenic and easily digested. Avocado purée. Baked sweet potato purée. First carrots purée.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast- feeding for the first six months after birth. But by ages 4 months to 6 months, most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast- feeding or formula- feeding.
The sugars in these fruit juices aren’t digested very well, so they draw fluid into the intestines and help loosen stool. As a rule of thumb, you can give 1 ounce a day for every month of life up to about 4 months (a 3 – month – old baby would get 3 ounces).
Babies should only begin drinking sips of water once they start eating solid foods. Before then, babies get the hydration they need from formula and/or breast milk.
Solid foods may be introduced in any order. However, puréed meats, poultry, beans and iron-fortified cereals are recommended as first foods, especially if your baby has been primarily breastfed, since they provide key nutrients.
Signs your baby is ready for solids include when your baby: has good head and neck control and can sit upright when supported. shows an interest in food – for example, by looking at what’s on your plate. reaches out for your food. opens their mouth when you offer them food on a spoon.
If your baby is around 6 months old, you can offer small amounts of cooled boiled tap water but you should not replace their breastmilk or formula feeds. Breastmilk or formula should still be their main drink up to 12 months of age. After 12 months, their main drink should be water and cow’s milk or breastmilk.
When your 4 -6 month old baby is learning to use a cup, giving him a few sips of water a couple of times a day (no more than 2 ounces per 24 hours) is fine and fun. Once baby starts solids, you might want to give him a few sips of expressed milk or water with his solids – some babies need this to prevent constipation.
Baby weight chart by age
Baby age | Female: 50th percentile weight | Male: 50th percentile weight |
---|---|---|
4 months | 14 lb 3 oz ( 6.4 kg ) | 15 lb 7 oz ( 7.0 kg ) |
5 months | 15 lb 3 oz (6.9 kg) | 16 lb 9 oz (7.5 kg) |
6 months | 16 lb 1 oz (7.3 kg) | 17 lb 8 oz (7.9 kg) |
7 months | 16 lb 14 oz ( 7.6 kg ) | 18 lb 5 oz (8.3 kg) |
Here’s how to get the most out of play -time with your four – month – old. Offer a toy. Hand her a toy that rattles or makes crinkly sounds and watch her reaction when she grabs it. Go for a game. Bubbles are fascinating to babies. Set up a playdate.
4 to 6 months: 1 to 4 tablespoons of cereal once or twice a day. 1 to 4 tablespoons of a fruit and vegetable once or twice a day.
At 4 months your baby’s digestive system isn’t mature yet, this is why early introduction to solids is often associated with GI issues such as, constipation, gas, upset tummy etc. Around 6 months the gut begins to close (aka matures) and allows for more optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients.
4 to 6 months: 3 to 4 tablespoons of cereal once a day, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of a vegetable and fruit 1 or 2 times a day.