What's on the Menu age 4 to 6 months

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breast milk or infant formula should be a baby's only source of food for the first 4 to 6 months. After that foods and juices can be introduced and added to the baby's diet. Solids are really semi-liquids for the first 4 to 6 months. Your baby's intake of brest milk or infant formula will decrease once solids are introduced. But it should continue to be your baby's primary source of nutrition during the first year.

Why Wait 4 to 6 Months
The reason you should wait 4 to 6 months before you introduce solids and juices. A baby's stomach is not ready to digest food before this time. Your baby at this age will instinctively push their tongues out when they are offered solids-it will take time for them to get passed this reflex. A sign you will notice when they are ready is a curiosity in the foods you are eating and frequent crying between feedings ... The (AAP) recommends waiting until infants are 6 months old before introducing 100% pasteurized juice. According to studies, 100% white grape juice is easier for infants to digest than pear or apple juice. This is because 100% white grape dose not contain sorbitol, whitch is a hard to digest sugar like compound. White grape juice contains a balance of fructose and glucose, two easy to digest natural sugars.

What Foods to Introduce

From age, 0 to 4 months: A single grain baby cereal, such as rice mixed with breast milk or infant formula is commonly recommended as a first food ... From age, 4 to 6 months: A single grain, iron-fortified infant rice cereal mixed with brest milk, infant formula, or warm water ... From age, 6 to 8 months: Pureed or strained fruits and vegetables; Non-citric juices and other cereals ... About age, 7 to 10 months: baby's are ready for some soft bite-sized foods that dissolve easily; Strained or mashed fruits and vegetables, Egg yolks, Meat or poultry (finely cut or chopped), Bread baby crackers and dry cereals ... From age, 9 to 12 months: All foods mashed or diced, or cut into small bite-sized pieces (avoid seasonings); Soft combination foods such as macaroni and cheese and pasta. Yogurt, Cheese, Beans ... There is some overlap in ages since all babies are not alike and develop at varied rates. Consult your pediatrician before starting a eating plain for your baby.

Keeping track of new Foods

A good idea is to track new foods you introduce to your baby, the date you introduce them, and your baby's reaction. It's also a good idea to introduce one new, single ingredient food at a time and wait 2 to 3 days before introducing another new food. This way if your baby has a reaction, you will be able to identify whitch food caused a reaction should there be any adverse occurrence ... Be patient babies sometimes need to try new food a dozen or more times before they begin to like it. Are blessings are with you!