During the first 4-6 months, a baby requires only breastmilk or infant formula. Babies' swallowing and digestive systems are not developmentally ready to handle solid foods untill they are between the ages of 4 and 6 months. During this period the baby's tongue no longer pushes most solid objects out of the mouth. A baby's weight or age alone does not determine his or her readiness for solid foods. Each baby develops differently. Babies begin to show their desire for food by opening their mouths and leaning forward.
Babies are mature enough to begin learning to eat from a spoon when they can:
*hold their necks steady and sit with support
*draw in lower lip as a spoon is removed from their mouths, and
*keep food in their mouths and swallow it rather then push it back out on their chins
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Babies sow disinterest or fullness by:
*leaning back
*turning away
*pushing the food out of their mouths
*sealing their lips together
*playing with the food
*pushing the bottle or spoon away
Check back next week for more helpful tips about feeding your infant solid foods.
taken from a Guide for Use in the Child Nutrition Programs
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