Many caregivers and parents have questions about when to begin feeding infants solid foods--how to introduce these foods, which foods to start with, and how much to feed. All infants need to learn how to chew and grind--these are movements associated with speaking as well as eating.

Exposing infants to new tastes and textures allows them to become accustomed to foods that they will rely on in later life. But these needs must also be balanced against the infant’s feeding skills based on his or her age and development.

For many years, pediatricians told parents (and other caregivers) to begin feeding infants baby cereal at one month of age or even earlier. Later, the recommendation changed to wait until three-four months. And now, the recommendation is to withhold solid foods until 4-6 months.

In the 1940s and 1950s, as mothers turned from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, they prepared the formula at home using cows’ milk and corn syrup. This formula lacked many nutrients so pediatricians suggested adding foods early (and in a special order) to make certain the baby would grow healthy.

In the 1970s, when infant formula companies began to add nutrients to their products and modify the cow’s milk so that infants could handle it better, the need for early introduction of other foods was eliminated and the recommendation was pushed back. Now, with the addition of iron to infant formulas, solid foods can be introduced even later. For breastfed babies, there is no need to add solid foods until the infants’ iron stores are depleted, usually at about six months old.

For many parents, the primary reason to introduce solid foods is the belief that adding cereal to the baby’s bottle will help the baby sleep through the night. And if baby sleeps through the night, so do Mommy and Daddy. For some babies, the cereal does fill them up and they do sleep longer, but many nutritionists are concerned about this type of feeding.

Think about how stuffed you feel after Thanksgiving dinner if you eat much more than you should. You may become sleepy and tired. This is what happens to the baby. Adding solid food to the bottle is somewhat like force-feeding the infant by requiring the baby to take in the extra food. He might sleep, but it is neither natural nor healthy. When you add cereal to the bottle, it requires a larger hole in the nipple, and greatly increases the chances of choking.

The physical signs suggest that infants are not ready for eating solids until after four months of age. Infants of 1-2 months cannot control their heads or their upper bodies. They cannot sit, open their mouths for bites, or turn their heads away when they are full. If you ever have watched a two-month-old being spoon-fed, you probably noticed that with each spoonful more food stays out than goes in! That is due to the tongue protrusion reflex, which does not disappear until about four months old.

Once a baby is ready to start eating solid food, the nutrient most health professionals are concerned about is iron. For years, iron-fortified infant cereal has been babies’ standard “first food.” Today, with introduction of cereal not recommended until six months, many parents are instructed to use strained or finely ground meat as the first food. The iron and zinc in meat are better absorbed than that in the cereal, and it is rare for any allergic reactions to occur. However, some families may not be comfortable starting with meat. For these families, iron-fortified infant cereal may be the best choice.

Most authorities recommend beginning with rice cereal, as it is the least allergenic grain product. This is followed by oatmeal, barley, and finally wheat. Other foods, such as meat, vegetables, and fruits are given in progression. Egg yolks, cheese, and yogurt can be introduced around eight months of age. Whole milk and whole eggs can be introduced around 12 months of age.

It is best to wait about three days between introducing different foods and see if the baby has any negative reaction to a particular food. Rashes, diarrhea, and/or vomiting are signs of allergic reactions. If there are known food allergies in a baby’s family, delay introduction of these foods until after 12 months of age.

Since solid foods are delayed until six months, it is not necessary to use commercially-prepared strained or “first foods.” These products were designed for use with babies who were 1-2 months old. Infants who are 6-7 months old can eat family vegetables and fruits that have been mashed or pureed using blenders, baby food mills, or forks. When infants first begin eating solid foods, those foods usually are provided by the parent for feeding in the childcare program

By 8-10 months of age, small pieces of foods from the table can be given, but watch for choking hazards. Also, be careful about serving home-prepared beets, turnip, carrots, collard greens, and spinach as these contain large amounts of nitrates, which can cause anemia in infants. Commercial manufacturers screen for these substances in the foods they use, but you cannot do this at home.

The amount to serve depends on baby’s appetite, growth rate and physical activity. There will be times when a baby gobbles up food and times when the same baby simply is not hungry. Allow each baby to guide the feeding speed and volume by “setting the pace.”

Recommendations on the timing of introducing solid foods are based on both the nutritional needs and the physical development of infants. Early introduction of solid foods does not mean that a baby is smarter, bigger, or growing faster. Babies mature and grow fast enough without adults trying to push the timetable. The goal, as always, should be what is best for the baby’s development.

Madeleine Sigman-Grant, PhD, RD

Child Care Nutrition Resource System, Food and Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705-2351; 301-504-5719; www.nal.usda.gov/childcare/Links/infantfeeding.html

Bright Futures, Box 571272, Washington, DC 20057-1272; 202-784-9556; www.brightfutures.org