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How Do I Know If My Baby Is Ready?

Home » Babies » When and How Do I Start My Baby on Solid Foods? » How Do I Know If My Baby Is Ready?

For many parent's especially first time moms and dads hearing it is best to let their baby tell them when it's time to start solids may sound a bit strange especially since babies can't communicate with words. That means that parents need to watch for signs that their baby is ready to introduce solids into his or her diet. Some babies are ready at 4 months old while others will not be ready until closer to 6 months of age. Listed below are some of the signs parents should look for signaling their baby is ready to move onto solids:

• Head Control: This sign is one of the most important and vital aspects in knowing if your baby is ready to be introduced to solid foods. In order to eat solid foods, babies must be able to hold their heads upright in a steady position for longer than just a moment. They should be able to do this and keep doing this in order to eat solids.
• Excursion Reflex: Another sign your baby is ready to move into the world of solid foods is that he or she no longer has the excursion reflex which is to push food out of the mouth with their tongue. Instead when babies are ready for solids they will swallow the food.
• Sitting Well Alone or with Support: Some babies are able to sit up whether it is alone or with support earlier than others. Even if your baby isn't quite ready for a highchair he or she should be able to sit well with support or alone in order for proper swallowing to be able to happen before solids are introduced into their diet.
• Increasing Hunger: Usually babies work themselves into a feeding schedule of breast or bottle feeding every 3 to 6 hours but after a certain age, generally around 4 to 6 months babies begin to develop heartier appetites and become increasingly hungry even after 8 to 10 bottle or breast feedings a day. This is a sign the baby is ready to start solids.
• Chewing Motions: Babies should be able to move their food to the back of their mouths in order to swallow. Most babies are usually able to do this around the time their hunger increases since an infant's tongue and mouth develop in sync with their digestive system.
• Weight Gain: Usually once a baby has doubled their birth weight which is usually around 15 pounds it is likely he or she will be ready to start on solids that is if the baby is 4 months of age or older.
• Interest in Food: Often times babies who are ready to begin a diet that includes solids start to have interest in food that others around them are eating. Babies will likely have a curiosity in what you are eating and will watch you as you move your food from your plate to your mouth.

Next Page: How Do I Introduce Solids Once It Is Time?

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