Teething, Tummy Aches, Diaper Rash and Eating Solids

It may surprise some people to discover that there are parents who choose to feed their infant certain solid foods as early as six weeks and on the other side of the coin there are some parents who choose to delay the introduction of solids till age one. A happy medium is six months, this is a common age when an infant becomes interested in eating solids.

When Your Baby Might Be Ready

At six to nine months you may notice that your baby has an interest in solid food. Perhaps you are holding your infant while you are eating and you notice that they are observing the action in which you place the food into your mouth. You may even notice that your infant opens their own mouth like a baby bird asking for food. This can be a sign that they are ready, however if your baby can not sit up or support their head on their own you shouldn't yet give them solids.

What To Feed Them

Assuming that your baby meets the age and muscle requirements to eat solid food you will want to introduce easy foods, not easy to make but easy on the stomach, and one at a time. By trying out just one kind of food, such as mashed banana diluted with either water or mother's milk, you'll be able to determine if a certain food gives your child an allergic reaction. You may not notice hives but if you notice an increase in the frequency of diaper rash or gas, which could mean that your baby has a tummy ache, that your child gets you should cut off that kind of food.

What To Feed Them When They Are Teething

When a baby is teething they produce more saliva. This in turn creates the chances of your baby getting diaper rash and that chance increases if they are fed solid food that is acidity, like apples. You may want to hold off on solid foods all together if you feel that they are aggravating your child's diaper rash. A good alternative to fruits and vegetables when your baby is teething, that is easy on the stomach, is toast and dry cereal. You can get toast and dry cereal that is specific for babies. Plus your baby will be able to feed themselves and they will be a lot less messy than if you give them a bowl of apple sauce.

Why They Are Eating

Don't worry if your child isn't getting well round diet of mixed foods with some vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, you will want to hold off on giving you child diary until they are at least age one, and protein everyday. As long as you are still eating healthy yourself and breastfeeding your child they will continue to get the nutrients that they need. They aren't eating solids for the purpose of getting all of the nutrition that they need, the are eating solids to get their bodies use to the concept. When they are teething often consuming something like toast is a great alternative to a plastic teething ring.

I wouldn't recommend introduces solids until a baby is at least six months old and even then I would suggest to take the process slow, as long as you are still breastfeeding and eating healthy yourself waiting until a year will not hurt anything.