Solids and Weaning

As you contemplate starting solid foods, it’s important to note what various medical organizations recommend. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), along with many other health organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF, states that breast milk and/or formula should provide all the nutrition your baby needs during the first 6 months of life.

However, in prior years the AAP Committee on Nutrition also wrote that introducing solid foods between four and six months was perfectly acceptable; introducing babies to solids prior to four months is never recommended. This has changed again so that now, all of the AAP is in agreement and recommending that babies should start solid foods at 6 months of age.

Most important thing to remember when introducing solid foods to baby

Keep this in mind as you begin to introduce solid foods to your baby: Solid foods will not make up a large portion of your baby’s nutrition for quite a few weeks after you start.

Remember that you are introducing your baby to solid foods, not suddenly changing your baby’s diet. At this point, the term “complementary foods” is often used instead of “solid foods”.  Complimentary foods is a term that describes what the early role of solid food is in a baby’s diet.

In the beginning, you are complementing breast milk and/or formula with solid foods, not replacing them. The first few weeks should be a time to take it slow, keep it simple and stay relaxed. Explore and enjoy the experience of watching your baby touch and taste his way through the wonderful world of food!

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