Sometime between 4 and 6 months, your doctor will tell you it is time to start giving your baby solid foods (baby food). Solid foods can be started when your baby is ready. A baby is ready to eat from a spoon when he or she can sit with support, has good head and neck control, and can grasp and bring objects to his mouth.

HOW TO FEED YOUR BABY
1. Put only the amount of solid food you plan to give into a bowl or warming dish instead of feeding baby right from the jar. Put the jar with the remaining food in the refrigerator.

2. When feeding your baby, sit in a comfortable position and hold your baby in the curve of your arm. Keep baby's head and back raised to prevent choking.  A highchair may be used when your baby can sit upright and has good head and neck control. Always secure baby safely in the highchair.

3. Put a small amount of food on the tip of the spoon. Let your baby taste it. If your baby spits it out, place the food midway back on his tongue and let him swallow it.

4. Have patience and let him learn how to swallow. Feed slowly, allowing plenty of time to swallow the food. Remember, feeding will take time and be messy for awhile.

5. If your baby resists taking the food, do not force him. Stop and try again the next day. Or, if your baby is extremely hungry, try to give part of his formula or breast feeding first and then offer the baby food. This allows your baby time to relax.

6. Throw away any leftover food after your baby is finished eating.

WHAT TO FEED YOUR BABY
Rice cereal is recommended for your baby's first solid food. If you use a dry baby cereal, thin the cereal with a small amount of formula, water, or breast milk. The texture of the cereal should be like strained baby food.

At 6 months of age, vegetables and fruits may be started one at a time. These foods should be strained, mashed, or finely minced.

At 8 months of age, strained meat and juice may be introduced. The texture of foods can be chopped.

Between 7 to 9 months of age, finger foods are recommended.

By 10 to 12 months of age, most foods should be chopped table foods.

SAFETY TIPS
- Make sure the lids on jars of food are sealed tightly when you buy them. Do not buy the food if the seal is broken. (If you press the top of the lid and it springs back, it means the seal is broken.) o Before opening the jar, wipe the jar and lid with a clean damp cloth to remove dust. o Germs can grow on food that is left uncovered at room temperature. o If you do not use the whole jar of baby food, put the cover back on it and store it in the refrigerator. Do not keep the opened food for more than 2 days. If it has not been used after 2 days, throw it away. - Babies under 1 year of age should not be fed honey or corn syrup. Honey and corn syrup are not sterile. They may contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning in young children. - Use a spoon, not an "infant feeder," to feed your baby. Using "infant feeders" (syringe-type feeders with plunger and nipple) may cause choking. - Avoid foods that may cause choking. In general, these are smooth, round foods. For example: pieces of hot dog, hard candies, nuts, seeds, grapes, popcorn, peanuts, and raw carrots.

FOOD ALLERGIES
- When adding new foods to an infant's diet, food allergies sometimes develop. Some common symptoms of food allergies are eczema (skin rashes), runny nose, and diarrhea. If your baby has these symptoms, call your doctor for advice. - When you give new foods, give only one new food at a time. Then wait 3 to 5 days before adding another new food. (Other foods that baby has eaten before can also be given during this time.) Try all plain foods before giving your baby mixed foods. If a food allergy occurs, it will be easier for the doctor to know which food caused the allergy. Use the record below to keep a list of new foods and the date they were given.