Introducing Solid Foods Breast milk or iron-fortified infant
formula provides all the nutrients your baby needs for the first
6 months of life. After 6 months of age, your baby requires
other foods to provide more calories, protein and iron.
Fortunately, most babies begin to show interest in other foods
and develop the ability to eat them at around 4 to 6 months of
age. Pediatricians do not recommend starting solid foods before
4 months. Most babies are not ready to handle solid foods before
this age. The introduction of solid foods before 4 to 6 months
may not provide the proper balance of nutrients and may make it
more likely that the infant will develop food allergies. Despite
popular belief, adding cereal to the diet does not help babies
sleep through the night. Each child develops at his or her own
pace. Signs that your baby may be ready to try solid foods
include: - Holding her head and neck steady for 10 to 15 minutes
while sitting up with support in your lap or in an infant seat -
Putting her hands or