7 Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Solid Food
What's the most important milestone of a baby's first year? Ask a room full of moms, and you're bound to get a ton of answers. But mark my words, you'll hear "when the baby starts solids" more than a few times. It's one of the biggies for sure.
So how the heck do you know that your baby is ready for such a big transition?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for the first six months of a baby's life, but around that time, most pediatricians give parents leave to start testing baby's readiness for solid foods. Here are some easy tests to see if it's almost time to whip out that food processor and start pureeing your favorite veggies.
When did your pediatrician suggest you start adding solids to your baby's diet?
Images ©iStock.com/AndreasWeber; via Jeanne Sager
The Tongue-Thrust Reflex Is Gone
Ever tried to put something in your baby's mouth (a pacifier, your finger) and seen their tongue automatically push it out? That's what's called a "tongue-thrust reflex," and it usually goes away sometime after 4 months. Before it does, they aren't ready for a spoon of food in the mouth -- they're just going to push it back out.
He Imitates You
Part of mastering how to eat solid food is watching what Mom or Dad does and imitating you. Watch your baby to see if they're able to ape your movements. If he can, he'll be much better able to start learning to use a spoon or put small morsels in his mouth.