Health Tip: Offering Baby or Toddler Solid Food?

(HealthDay News) -- Little ones are typically introduced to solid food before age 2. But choosing which foods to include and how to do so can be daunting tasks.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these guidelines:

  • Don't offer a baby solid food before 4 months to 6 months of age.

  • Don't introduce solid food until the child is paying attention and appears ready to eat it.

  • Allow the child to touch and explore the food before he or she eats it.

  • Feed at the comfortable pace. Don't rush or feed more slowly than the child wants.

  • Encourage the child to self-feed with hands or utensils as soon as he or she shows an interest.

  • End the feeding when the child shows signs of being full, such as by turning the head.

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