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Starting Solid Foods

Between four and six months of age, most babies are physically developed enough to handle the process of starting solid foods. Besides age, there are other signs that your child is ready. If your infant has good head and neck control, can sit with support, or no longer has a tongue-thrust reflex, it may mean that he or she is ready to start solid foods.

Starting Babies on Solid Foods: An Overview

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For about the first six months of a baby's life, human milk or formula can provide all the nutritional requirements an infant needs. Yet, as infants become more active and grow, so do their nutritional needs.
 
By the end of their first year of life, most healthy infants are receiving half of their nutrition from breast milk or formula. The other half comes from complementary foods and liquids.
 

Why Now?

Starting solid foods is a big step for babies and their families.
 
Between four and six months of age, most babies are physically developed enough to handle the process of starting to eat solid foods. They are also moving a lot more, building muscle and strength as they develop their early mobility skills. This requires a great deal of energy and nourishment, more than can be provided with just breast milk or formula.
 
Starting solids goes beyond just satisfying nutritional needs, though. This is also an important time, because research has shown that eating habits established during the first two years of life carry through into adulthood. That is why establishing good eating habits from the start is critical.
 
ARTICLE CONTINUES: PAGE 2
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last updated/reviewed:
Other Articles in This eMedTV Presentation
Infant Feeding Schedule
Newborn Feeding
Newborn Feeding Schedule
Breastfeeding Vs. Formula Feeding
How to Give a Baby a Bottle
Baby Formula Feeding
How to Prepare Infant Formula
Switching From Breast Milk to Formula
Breast Milk Composition
Feeding Solid Foods to Infants
Baby Meals -- Without the Mess
Finger Foods for Babies
Allergies and Starting Solid Foods
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