There are several key factors when deciding to start introducing solids and pureed foods to your infant. I’m a believer in starting around 6-7 months if your infant has the readiness signs outlined below, which is also recommended by many professionals, however there are professionals who even open the range up and include 4-5 months of age (pureed foods at this time are acceptable for most infants).
It's important to note that if your child was born prematurely, or has developmental delays that have already been established, feeding will likely begin later. Also, if your child is past 7 months and isn't showing the readiness signs highlighted below, setting up an evaluation with an occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist who is experienced with pediatric feeding may be a good idea. You can typically receive an evaluation for free through your local school district. In Michigan, you can submit an online referral or call the number through the EarlyOn website.
Here are a few things that are important for your baby to establish before introducing foods in addition to breast milk and/or formula.
1. Solid Head & Trunk Control
Around 6-7 months, your baby should be at a point where he can sit up and hold his head up without assistance. He should be able to sit independently (on the floor) and if leaning over, be able to sit back up again.
Why is head and trunk control so crucial? When we see that those bigger muscles and body parts are under better control, this gives us an indication that the smaller muscles are becoming stronger and more coordinated as well. These smaller muscles include the muscles of the jaw, tongue, lips, fingers, and hands -- all muscles that are important for feeding. Muscles for both chewing as well as reaching, grabbing and bringing food to the mouth.
This doesn’t mean that they all need to be 100% ready, but when we see good trunk and head control, we know that the bigger muscles have caught up developmentally and then the smaller parts of the body will follow along.
Here are some baby milestone charts. I’m sharing several, since many vary slightly, because development is different for every baby. Some babies walk at 9 months and others walk around 13-14 months.
2. Sitting in High Chair
If your baby has good trunk and head control, then he is likely able to sit in a high chair just fine and be able to move items from the high chair table top to his mouth. A great idea that I learned from Feeding Littles (you know I love them!!) when finding the perfect high chair for your baby and family is to have a foot rest so that your baby can ground his feet. This promotes stability and better trunk control as well. No worries though if you’ve already purchased your high chair, they give great suggestions for modifying the high chair as well.
Here is their article on choosing the best high chair and/or modifying the high chair you have to better support your baby during feeding, which helps wonders with longer meal times and concentration as well as safety during feeding. Judy shares a great video within this post!
3. Interested in What You’re Eating
When my niece was around 5-6 months, she became increasingly aware of when others were eating and interested in what they were eating as well. She began reaching for the food we had in our hands and did this consistently.
If your baby is taking an interest in the food you’re eating by watching, reaching, babbling and/or pointing, that’s a pretty good sign that they are ready for messy meal time!
4. Reaching, Grabbing, Mouthing
Another sign that your baby not only is interested and ready to try feeding outside of strictly breastmilk and/or formula is when he reaches for a toy and can bring the toy to his mouth while sitting up. Or, can bring a spoon to his mouth. Reaching, grabbing and bringing food to his mouth may still look clumsy or messy, especially given the new textures of food, however the success rate of moving food toward and into mouth should still be there more often than not.
Finally...
Ultimately, guidelines are meant to be taken as you deem fit for your baby and family, however introducing foods too early without observing the readiness signs outlined in this post may not be the safest or most developmentally appropriate option.
One important message that I hope you’ll consider is that when introducing foods, is to be prepared for mess, maybe not a whole lot of consumption during every meal time and that this is okay -- there should be no to very little pressure with introducing foods. Be prepared to put together a seemingly perfect spread and watch your baby feed it to the dog-- while giggling.
This is an exploration and experimental phase for your baby. It is a very important phase in setting him up for enjoying food, conscious eating habits, and a great opportunity for sensory play. It's not just for fun as some may claim. Touching new textures, smushing food all over his face, smelling it, tasting it, etc. It’s all working FOR the long game. Utensils and manners can be taught later, so no worries there. ;)
However, a good chunk of his nutrition is still coming from breastmilk and/or formula at this time and faded out slowly over that first year, so leave the “pressure” at the door and remember that they will likely play with the food and eat a bit here and there. They also may gobble it all right up!
Part of building a healthy relationship with food is letting the baby eat and play without pressure. This means refraining from “take ____ more bites” or, "eat your (insert vegetable here) before you get more (insert second food here)", and force feeding, this may do more harm than good in the future and the anxiousness experienced by you and your child is simply not worth it.
That being said, if you’re past the 9-12 month mark and feeling as if your baby still isn’t interested in food or showing the readiness signs below, it may be a good idea to reach out for additional resources, classes, etc.
Enjoy those messy meals with your little ones! They only last so long. ;)
Michelle St. Aubin MS CCC-SLP
Michelle Lynn Therapy PLC
www.smalltownspeechie.blogspot.com
Here are some of the resources I highly recommend when introducing foods.
Feeding Littles - The nutritionist & occupational therapist squad that really knows their stuff. I've taken their infant feeding course and am starting the toddler course. They are amazing! Check out their website for more information, online courses and more!
My Munch Bug - Melanie Potock is a certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in pediatric feeding. She has written and cowritten several books alongside other professionals and runs a fabulous website with many helpful resources.
Your Kids Table - Alisha is a certified OT and momma of three who has years of experience with pediatrics and feeding therapy.
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