The changeover from liquid to solid foods is just one of many exciting new journeys your little baby is going to embark upon. Here’s how to make this culinary journey an exciting one for you as well as for your baby.

How To Tell When Your Baby Is Ready For Solids
Age is not the sole determining factor when trying to decide if your baby is ready for solid foods or not. Every baby is ready to be introduced to solids at a different age, just like they start walking and talking at different ages. What’s more important is to watch for signs of physical as well as developmental readiness.

If your baby can sit upright with a bit of support and has good head control then you know your baby is physically ready for solids. Signs of developmental readiness include being hungry after the regular feeding schedules, whether it is breast-feeding or formula milk.

Solid Beginnings
Breast milk or formula should not be replaced with solid foods overnight. During your baby’s first year, solid foods should be used only to complement your baby’s nutrition. Let breast and formula milk continue to provide your baby with the nutrients that are vital for early growth.

Rice cereal especially formulated for babies is the perfect first-meal for any baby. Rice is easily digestible and most babies tolerate this cereal the best. Most baby cereals are fortified with the extra iron that growing babies need and are gentle enough to suit babies’ stomachs.

Baby’s First Meal
One tablespoon of single-grain baby cereal mixed with four tablespoons of formula milk, breast milk or water would give you a consistency that is just right for baby’s first meal. Mix the ingredients to a smooth texture and using your finger or a spoon, take a little bit of cereal and put it to your baby’s lips. Avoid trying to put the spoon of food into your baby’s mouth as she has not learnt how to get the food out of the spoon yet, whereas she will use her sucking skills to get the food from her lips into her mouth.

As your baby grows and gets used to eating off a spoon, decrease the amount of liquid so that the solid food is more solid and less runny.

Watching For Allergies
While food allergies are not all that common, they are common enough to be cause for concern. Since babies are unable to convey their discomfort, it is essential that you introduce only one new food at a time and continue with the new food for at least 3-4 days in a row before introducing a new food. If you notice even a hint of an adverse reaction, contact your pediatrician immediately. If your baby gets a rash, starts vomiting or gets diarrhea, definitely stop feeding her that food immediately.

After rice you could try introducing your baby to oatmeal for a few days and after that, barley. Cereals make a good, safe and wholesome meal for the first few years of your baby’s life. This crock pot oatmeal recipe is easy to make and can save you heaps of time.

When baby is ready for solids these beef crock pot recipes and chicken crock pot recipes are nutritious and time saving.