An ideal first solid food for the baby is rice cereal, a special instant cereal designed especially for babies. Initial meals of solid food should be considered practice feedings, and do not count toward that day’s total number of feedings. Give the baby one solid-food meal per day, but continue with the normal breastfeeding or formula routine.
1. Prepare the cereal. Mix one tablespoon (15 mL) cereal with three tablespoons (45 mL) breast milk, water, or prepared formula in a bowl or cup. Keep mixing until there are no lumps. The food should have a runny consistency. It can be served cold or warm.
2. Seat the baby on your lap or in a supportive highchair.
3. Place a bib on the baby.
4. Fill half a baby-sized spoon with rice cereal and insert it into the mouth. The baby may push it out with his tongue. This is normal, since all models move their tongues forward and back while sucking. With practice, the baby will discover how to keep the food in his mouth to swallow it.
5. Repeat step 4 with a new spoonful of cereal or with food expelled from the baby’s mouth until the cereal is finished or the baby appears to be full.
6. Be patient. The baby is learning a complicated new skill-one that is very different from sucking. Consult with the baby’s service provider about the best time to introduce pureed fruits or vegetables, either fresh or jarred, and any chunky foods.
