Starting babies on solid food can be a really fun time for you and your little one, especially if you're beginning to get board of the repetitive bottle or nursing routine. Most parents choose to start baby food around age 6 months — once baby is showing signs of readiness, like holding their head up and showing interest in your food. Once they've hit these milestones (and you get the okay from your pediatrician), you're good to go.
But it's very important to keep safety in mind during this stage, too. As you're researching baby meal ideas, keep in mind what you serve isn't nearly as important as how you serve it — and being prepared for something to go wrong.
Starting babies on solid food safely
Being prepared for anything
If thinking about starting solid foods for babies stresses you out, you're not alone — plenty of moms out there are scared to give their child the opportunity to choke, especially when gagging on food is part of the process of them learning to eat.
"Make sure you talk about it with your pediatrician, since they’ll be able to assess your baby and give some tips," mom Karen Belz told So Yummy. "Charlotte was getting much better with purees by that point, but I had to build up more confidence before handing her anything she could pick up and eat herself. Because again — I worry."
Like this mom has pointed out, there are steps you can take to feel more confident, like taking a baby CPR class through an organization like the Red Cross, having infant Benadryl on hand for any allergic reactions, and knowing what the signs of choking are in babies.
When do you contact your doctor? If your baby seems like they're in distress while eating, refuses to eat solids on a regular basis, or seems to be having an allergic reaction, it's a good time to make that call.
Starting solid foods for babies can be overwhelming, but remember to have fun and enjoy this stage in their babyhood. You'll both get the hang of it before too long!
