How do you know when babies can start eating regular food?

Question

How do you start feeding it meat and stuff?

Answer 1

I advanced in gradual steps (but I work in a nursing home.....I followed out diet upgrade protocol).
she started out with puree (all smooth, NO lumps at all). When she was really good with that we upgraded to a ground diet. (course texture, but still easy to eat). I started introducing small bits of soft foods for her to chew on. when she was okay doing that, we upgraded again to a mechanical soft (pieces of soft foods, and some food fork mashed) Gradually her food gets mashed less and less. Pretty soon she will be on all regular foods, or a regular diet.

Meat was easy to work in. Gerber Graduates have Meat Sticks......they stink but my daughter LOVES them. They have Meat, Chicken, and Turkey varieties. They are soft and mush easily. She eats those a lot. And when we have real meat (meatloaf, pot roast, etc), I actually smash it with my fingers so it does not gag her.

Just watch your babies abilities and upgrade her diet slowly.

Also, stay away from most stage 3 baby foods. some are not too bad, but many of them are like Stage 2 with chunks just mixed in. My daughter gagged on them all the time. She was better off going from Stage 2 to the ground foods, a little at a time.
You can change one meal per day to get her used to it (ie puree breakfast and lunch with a ground dinner) and slowly advance her to the next diet level.
Good luck!

Answer 2

its something you and the childs pediatrician should talk about first. Depending on the age of the baby and weight gain and health, your doctor will be able to tell you what is safe for the baby to start eating, Never give a baby under 1 honey, and with any baby always make sure the food is right sized and soft enough that the baby wont choke on it. Start with soft baby food, then maybe go to some finger foods at a certain age. This really is something your doctor can advise you of, and which foods may be right. I wouldnt recommend meat to a baby until the doctor says its ok

Answer 3

If your talking starting 1st solids. Most babies start anywhere from 4-6 months of age. Recomendations are usually to start with single grain rice cereal. (see the box for mixing directions). You can advance to other grains after baby tolerates the rice, usually within a few weeks. Single fruits and veggies again a few weeks (or longer if you choose) later. Always wait 4-7 days before introducing a new food. This way you can watch for food allergies.Pureed meats in jars(like apples and ham or turkey and vegetables) is ok when they are ready for thicker textures. He should be able to sit with support. If you are talking table foods and meats make sure baby has enough teeth to chew this. Choking is a BIG hazard with little ones so talk to your doc to make sure he is ready for that stuff. If he is under one year there are other "no no's" to follow. So again check with your doc.
As long as baby reaches milestones at appropriate ages you should be able to follow this.

Answer 4

Ask your pediatrician. ASK YOUR PEDIATRICIAN

Baby food in the stores also give clues. The pasta pickup are great to see if your child can pick them up and get them in it's own mouth, chew and swallow then go to the finger food style hot dog shaped meat things... if they eat that by themselves go on to UNSEASONED green beans and unseasoned cooked carrots and stuff they already like from baby food.... no salt, pepper, and please no sugar. Go slow and take cues from the child

Answer 5

Like table foods? If a baby can eat stage 3 baby foods - they can eat most table foods. Just avoid choking hazards (like hot dogs cut in discs)

Answer 6

you can give your baby regular " fruits / veggies" food but get a baby food grinder and mix it well.
also make sure different food once a week to make sure they are not allergic to anything. I would wait till they are about 3-4 months

Answer 7

Usually about six months.When their teeth start coming in.Start slowly.Very,very small portions(they choke easily).Probably meat scraps,mashed potatoes.Try to stay away from round(tends to roll down the throat).Mash it up a little if you can.Remember they have to get used to chewing.There used to sucking and spoons of mush.

Answer 8

You really need to read up on this subject and figure out what works best for you and your baby.

But beware... every book you'll find will have different opinions on when and how you should start. Read up, then talk to your pediatrician about it... then make up your own mind on what you think will work best for you and your baby....

Answer 9

babies eat step by step..they first eat mixed things in the blender then they start eating little by little thing we eat like rice or steamed veggies then cheeese youghurt then the milk we drink (full cream not low fat) then non greasy meat or chicken and thats the way..