How to Introduce Unprocessed Solids into Your Baby’s Diet

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Many parents struggle to make their child eat solid food. It’s common for small children not to want to chew solid food and demands only minced food or milk.

The first thing you need to remember – you can’t just give your baby pieces of food all of the sudden. An unprepared child can choke or vomit when approaching food it doesn’t know what to do with. This is the proper order for the transition:

1. Food minced in a blender. As your baby gets used to this, go to the next step.

2. Food minced in a blender but coarser.

3. No blender, just mash it with a fork.

As your child copes with fork-mashed food, you can start offering food in pieces. This is how you can encourage your baby to eat it. These tips will help you make the transition natural and avoid any problems in the process.

Don’t force your child to eat solids

Forcing a child to eat anything is no good. Each baby is individual and the time when he or she is ready can be different. By force, you can only develop a rejection of solids and make the task more difficult for both of you.

Let your baby “steal” your food

Children always want to try what others eat. They take after their parents and want to do everything you do. If you eat in front of them, demonstrating how tasty it is, they will surely be interested. Don’t forget to praise your child for eating like an adult. Just be sure that there is an appropriate food on your plate.

Take some pieces of food outside

Fresh air and new impressions will quickly make your baby hungry. And here you are, offering a snack. What a pleasant surprise! However, you should be attentive and watch your child while eating to react in time in case of choking or vomiting.

Don’t add many new products all at once

Adding new products step by step is important. One new product, one new structure. Don’t add several new solid products at one time. Don’t go solid only as well – combine it with soft foods, gradually increasing the number of solids and reducing the softer foods.

The best moment is the teething period

As the child’s gums itch when the first teeth appear, something harder to chew on can become a great relief for the baby. Give your child pieces of food to chew. Mashed food with pieces will also be good. Just make sure they are not too small.

You can consult with a pediatric dentist about everything that may worry you regarding your child’s teeth and menu. Once the first tooth appears, visit a dentist every six months to control the health of your baby’s teeth.