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Dr. Jemsek
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When to Give Solid Food
What could be cuter than a baby taking a first spoonful of baby food? A look of horror, than surprise, then glee - some spit out, some swallowed - and a video that will be cherished forever! But sometimes the excitement of finally using baby food can lead to an unnecessary food allergy problem down the road. The key to introducing your baby to solids is patience, patience and more patience. Read more below.
Starting a baby on solids too early can trigger asthma, food allergies and eczema later in life for your child. Remember, you are exposing your baby to a protein that his or her body has never seen. The baby's body does not yet know if this food is good or bad. If the body considers it "bad," antibodies will be released to attack the food. This will cause an allergic reaction to what your baby is eating.
This is also true when introducing formula over breast milk. Formula contains a wide variety proteins that can leak into your little one's blood stream. These proteins may be considered a germ, again causing an allergic reaction.
Are you trying to decide whether you are going to breast or bottle feed? If so, remember that breast feeding will reduce your child's chances of forming food allergies. You can still breast feed if your family is known to have food allergies. Simply avoid wheat, nuts, fish, peanuts, eggs and shellfish during your baby's first three months. You may also try to keep your dairy intake low as well. And if you choose to bottle feed, find a hydrolyzed formula that already has the milk protein broken down into an easily digestible form.
Peanut allergies have become widespread over the last five years. Pregnant and nursing mothers are asked to avoid all peanut products. This is especially true if any members in your family have food allergies.
Once your pediatrician has given you the OK to begin solids, only give one teaspoon the first day. Then two teaspoons the second, and so forth for a week. If you see no reaction (rash, diarrhea, red or blotchy skin, dark circles under the eye, crying), your baby can continue to eat this food.
When introducing solids to a baby, begin with barley or rice cereal, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, lamb, applesauce and pears. Only introduce one of these new foods a week. If your baby seems to dislike any of these foods, throw it out and wait a few more months. This may be a sign from your baby that he or she does not feel well when eating that particular food.
Some baby cereals are fortified with iron. This can give your baby constipation or discomfort. If your baby seems to be uncomfortable after eating iron fortified cereal, try something without iron.
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First Signs of Pregnancy
- missed menstrual period
- nausea or upset stomach
- extreme fatigue or tiredness
- frequent urination
- tender breasts or soreness
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