Break out the Video Camera- It’s Time for Solids!

Tips and hints for making your child’s first expereince with solid food successful

Suddenly the time has come. You are about to introduce your little one to solid food. What a difference this will be for both of you. He has been well nourished by breast milk, or formula up until now. You had no worries attached to feeding time. You knew he was getting what was necessary through breast milk or fortified formula. You have been careful to feed your baby according to his needed schedule. You have a strong healthy baby to prove it.

Now, your baby is embarking on a new horizon, and you plan to be just as diligent to provide what is necessary for proper nutrition. You will concentrate on introducing your child to healthy eating habits. You realize it is up to you to give him a good start down this road. After all, if he is to learn what is proper for good nutrition it is up to you. You will stress the importance of fruit and vegetables even if you have to force feed them. Your baby will learn to love and appreciate what is green, even if it kills you. Of course this is not really the position of most parents. Parents desire to instill healthy eating habits to their children, but recognize the necessity of a balanced approach.

Introducing solid food to your baby can be a lot of fun. Just watching their little faces as they experience different tastes and textures is joyful for a parent; it is often entertaining as well. Take time to have a little fun with the introduction of solid food. Embark on the journey with your child and try to imagine what it is like to taste food for the first time. This is so far removed for the parent. Adults experience very few ‘firsts’ anymore. How exciting this must be for your toddler. Enhance her experience with a bit of creativity.
Of course this is all done with caution.

Preliminarily, you will be rather careful. You will introduce different foods, one at a time, a little at a time. This is important so that you are be able to assess whether a certain food is causing your baby harm; i.e. an allergic reaction. This first food, you will introduce to your child, will be baby cereal mixed with a little formula or breast milk. Then you will follow with pureed vegetables and fruit, one at a time. Of course you will talk to your child’s pediatrician about proper nutrition and follow any instructions he may have.

Doesn’t sound all that exciting yet, does it? While this is basic, it needn’t be boring to your child and his taste buds. Keep in mind that ‘variety is the spice of life.’ Spice it up; not literally of course. Take a minute each day to focus on fun eating. It is entirely possible to incorporate fun into mealtime, without forsaking nutrition. With time, your child will gain an appreciation of healthy foods, since good nutrition was introduced to her in a fun and positive manner.

• Toddlers are artistic little beings. This is the one time in your child’s life that it is acceptable to play with her food. Relax and let her at it! In addition to experiencing new tastes and textures, she is experiencing the touch and feel of the food as it oozes through her fingers. Put a bib on your toddler and let the good times roll.
• Fun with sweets but not sugar

Most parents do not wish to introduce sugar to their toddlers. This is fine, but a taste of something sweet, not surprisingly, is enjoyable to your toddler. Allow the child to experience the taste of something sweet naturally. Fruit is a very good choice. Puree apples, pears or peaches to a very soft consistency. Keep it natural. Do not add any sugar. This is a healthy alternative to sugar.

Introducing solids to your child in a fun way is only a part of the picture. The whole point is to grasp your child’s attention. You are curbing her thoughts on food. Use fun to instruct your child how to eat nutritiously.