Getting On the First Solid Food

At one point when a mum breastfeeds, she will wonder when the baby can take food from a source outside of her breasts. The phase to transition the baby to his or her first solid food is called weaning and is a cradle of uncertainty for many new parents. Sarah Shamila, the manager of Nutrition and Dietetic Services, steps up to provide some advice on this subject.

- Sarah Shamila

THE RIGHT TIME TO WEAN

 One of the major questions new parents will ask is when should they wean a baby. Taking a leaf from the advice given by the World Health Organisation, Sarah says, "All infants should start receiving food, on top of breast milk, from six months onwards. This means the process is gradual, not cutting off breast milk from the baby’s diet but slowly transitioning him or her to new sources of nourishment.”

Aiding the search for the right time are the signs of readiness a baby will display to indicate weaning is apt. This includes demanding more feedings; sitting upright in a highchair and swallowing well; chewing on his fingers, knuckles and feet; holding his or her stead well in an upright position; and drooling less as he or she can move food to the back of the mouth to swallow.

Another easy sign to look out for is when your baby loses the extrusion reflex, which happens when he or she tries to push food out of the mouth. When a combination of the above signs starts to appear, you can be sure you can begin the weaning process.

GRADUAL IS CORRECT