When should your baby start solids...

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding until your baby is six months old. However, you can and should breastfeed much longer and there has also been controversy among Academy experts regarding when to start solids. Some support the Committee on Nutrition who state that you can safely start your baby on solids anywhere from four to six months of age. Your baby is an individual and the best way to decide when to start your baby on solids is to follow these guidelines:

• Her birth weight has doubled.
• She has good control of her neck and head.
• She can sit up with a little support.
• She is starting to show interest in food when you or the rest of the family is eating.
• She can indicate that she's full by pulling away from you when you offer food or by clamping her little mouth shut.

When your baby has met the above requirements. Make an appointment, and discuss any questions with your pediatrician. After that you're good to go with solids. Iron-fortified rice cereal is the first and best solid to give your baby. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of dry cereal with breast milk or formula and offer the cereal to your baby, twice a day. After your baby has tried the various flavors of infant cereals on the market such as barley and oatmeal you can move on to a new solid foods like veggies and fruits. Are you looking forward to starting your baby on solids?