Is your baby ready?
As babies become more active, they start to use a lot more energy. Pushing their chest away from the floor, rolling over or practising sitting up all give them a bigger appetite. It is important to assess the developmental cues of your baby so you know when the time is right to start. Remember every baby is different!
Clues indicating your baby may be ready for complementary foods:
They can sit with support and hold their head up
- They show interest in what the rest of the family are eating
- They lose their tongue reflex (that’s where they push the food out with their tongue)
- They bring items or fists to their mouth and start to chew on them
- They look for more food after a breastfeed or infant formula feed
Could it be a growth spurt?
At 4 months, lots of babies go through a growth spurt which can make them seem a lot hungrier than usual. It’s important not to confuse this as a sign your baby needs to start solids. At this stage their digestive system is not fully developed and suitable to cope with solids, however puréed they are! Remember you can always speak to our clubNUTRICIA Advisory team or ask your health care professional for advice.
Are there risks of introducing complementary foods late?
After 6 months babies cannot meet their increased demand for energy, and nutrients such as iron and zinc from breast milk or infant formula alone. So solids should be introduced by this time to ensure your baby is getting all the necessary nutrients, especially iron. Introducing solids around this time is also important for the development of your baby’s motor skills that help with their speech.