Child Developement

Is your baby ready to start eating solids? The Department of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine shares 7 tips for easy weaning:

1. Let your baby set the pace. If he rejects the food, give him his milk and try weaning again when your baby is less hungry or tired.
2. Introduce one type of food at a time, so you can identify any food allergies. Offer only a small amount of food (about ¼ tsp) and gradually increase the amount over a few meals.
3. Avoid adding sugar or salt as babies do not have an acquired taste for seasoned food at this age. Moreover, the added sodium may overwork your baby's kidneys.
4. Avoid adding fats such as butter or oil, unless advised by your doctor or dietician, as they are harder to digest by babies.
5. If you are heating food in a microwave oven, stir the food very well and test the temperature on the back of your hand before giving it to your child.
6. If your child does not like a certain food, don't force the issue. Try it in another form, which he or she may accept. Parents may be comforted to know that babies have been known to reject the same food up to seven times before finally accepting it.
7. Don't be fussy about neatness during a meal; there is plenty of time to teach your baby table manners! Meal times should not be an occasion for you and your baby to declare war on each other. It should be a happy event and not something to be dreaded. Every baby is different so don't compare your baby with another. Be patient and turn meal times into fun times that both of you will look forward to.

The full article can be read here. Read on for more tips about feeding your baby their first solids.

Disclaimer: All HealthXchange articles are intended for general information only and provided on the understanding that no surgical and medical advice or recommendation is being rendered. Please do not disregard the professional advice of your physician

About HealthXchange

As Singapore's first interactive health and lifestyle resource portal developed by SingHealth, HealthXchange.sg provides comprehensive, relevant and trusted health and medical information for Singaporeans and the Asian community.