So now your baby has turned four months and everyone is announcing that your baby is ready to have his initial first solid meal. You must have been preparing for this moment for some time if you are a new mother. You have your research ready and will provide your baby his first meal soon. You know your baby has needs so your will provide him his first meal according to his feeding demands. First meal never specifies time but normally every child is ready to gulp his first solid in his fourth month.
Eating solids is one of the main reasons of your child’s satisfaction as your baby has grown up more than before and is now demanding something different. Solids bring a satisfying urge to your baby and give them comfort while playing or sleeping. If your wish to see what signs your baby is showing to have solids than they will include your baby fussing over milk or asking more than his usual dose. If you come to realize your baby is asking more from you, get his spoon and bowl ready to feed him some effective solids.
When to know if your baby is ready for solids?
Not every baby has the urge to be fed more than his milk routine in four month. All children demand their feeding needs on different times but most babies show these signs at the age of four months; that’s why all mothers are suggested to provide their babies some thick and rich solids at this time. The main question is when to understand your baby is giving signs of solids?
The most common sign of solid demand is when your baby is not satisfied from milk doze and crying over finished bottle. Even if you give your baby more milk he is still fussing and neglecting the bottle. The second most common sign is when your baby starts snatching items from other person’s hand and put in his mouth.. As your baby is physically stable now, try adjusting him into a baby seat and feed from a proper spoon and bowl for good table manners. Babies are really easy to understand so it’s best to start working on their needs as soon as you see the signs.
When to feed your four months old baby?
Now, for the main question that needs to be answered, is that what a four month old baby should eat? As we mentioned it’s the very beginning of solids for your baby so it’s best to keep it simple and small for baby to prevent any chokings or left overs. You need to make sure of some points before you start solids for your baby so that you don’t have to face any confusion in choosing what’s right for your baby.
First, make sure your baby is now sitting upright and can hold his head properly. Your baby is curious of his surroundings and noticing what you are eating or holding in hand. The baby is asking for more options while being fed and the tongue thrust reflex that automatically pushes the food out of the mouth is gone. While preparing solid meals for your baby make sure you keep a variety of options in case your baby neglects the first meal. Don’t worry; it’s a start so it will be hard choosing the favorite meal for your baby. Take a break and repeat the neglected meal after a few days and your baby will accept it.
Baby food chart
First thing first, as your baby is still too young and probably on formula or breast milk, so you will need to adjust your baby’s solid meal schedule carefully. If your baby is on mother feed, he will ask for fewer solids in the beginning so make sure you provide solid at the most hungriest time for your baby. It’s your choice to continue breast milk until six months and then start solids if your baby is not accepting solids that early.
We have gathered some interesting yet easily adaptable solid options for your baby in the below description so that you, being a new mother, can easily handle the new phase of your baby.
- The best time for a solid meal for you baby is mid-day and you can start with some baby cereal which is the most recommended solid for beginner babies. Prepare the cereal with formula or breast milk which will provide him double nutrition. Wheat and rice flavors are the best choices for beginner solids.
- Fruits and vegetables purees are also considered great for your baby’s first solids. Grinded and mashed into thick fluid for easier gulping for your baby is a great way to get your baby used to solids. Banana, potatoes, peas, and carrots purees are best to give your baby in start.
- Boiled vegetables are also good for your baby. Just give them a good boil and strain the veggies into cold bowl; let them set and put them in front of your baby. It will eventually become a habit of taking up one piece at a time and go into your baby’s mouth.
- Fruits like apples, bananas (mashed), pears, and avocados, steamed without peels and turned tender are great for your baby meals too.
- Whole milk servings with porridge and boiled rice cereal are also great to satisfy your little ones hunger.
Babies are provided with unlimited options to choose their favorite foods eventually, that’s why it’s important to keep more than two or three options for your baby’s first foods. Solids are a great way to teach babies about variety of foods along with some table manners which are rather helpful in making your child more independent quickly.
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