So, you're thinking about introducing your baby to the world of fine dining (or at least fine baby food). Starting solid foods isn't as easy, however, as setting down a plate. You'll be playing waiter to a whole new world of foods. At any good restaurant, a waiter listens to the messages his guest is sending, and it's the same for your baby. By following a few easy steps, you can make sure that your baby's first solid meals are four star experiences.
Step 1: Taking the Order
Transitioning to solid foods from breast milk or formula is a serious decision. You have to make sure that your baby is ready to make the switch. The consensus is to wait until six months, but most guides recommend you consult your pediatrician regardless. Timetables are good to look at, but you have to listen to what your baby wants.
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Fortunately, there are hints when your baby's ready to order solids. If you see her mimicking your eating, reaching for food, or getting hungrier more frequently, you have the first set of clues. Your baby also has good taste and natural defenses- before four months, her tongue will automatically thrust outward when encountering food. In addition, you should make sure she is able to sit up and support her own neck muscles. Both of these developmental stages help protect against choking.
Step 2: Dinner is Served
For your baby's first meal, infant cereal is the best choice. It's very soft in consistency and can mix with the breast milk or formula your baby's used to. Good service, however, doesn't just mean picking the right food- it also requires a delicate touch. Serve her with a rubber tipped spoon or, if you like, use your finger. Her gums are still too sensitive for a metal spoon, and you also want to be sure that the food isn't too hot.
Be attentive to how your baby responds- does she like food or spit it out? Smile or grimace? You have to keep a close eye on your table to make sure you know what to bring her next. If she isn't eating happily, then there's no need to force another plate yet.
Step 3: Dessert and Beyond
If your baby's enjoying solids, figuring out what she wants next requires a sensitive eye. Just as you made sure to make a slow transition to solid foods, changing your baby's diet should be an equally delicate process. It's important to stay away from common allergens or harsh foods that could agitate your baby, so watch for a reaction by looking out for rashes, irritability, bloating, or diarrhea.
Once you move past infant cereal (which you should stick to for a few weeks), you can slowly teach your baby to taste new foods. Mashed up fruits (like bananas) and vegetables (think peas and carrots) are good appetizers. Eventually, you can introduce meats and juices when your baby's ready, but it's good to wait until the eight month mark for those more refined tastes.
Step 4: Check Please (and Check Up)
Introducing your baby to solid foods has its fair share of science- always watch for her nutrition, and always take it slow. But the second part really is about good service- be attentive to your baby's needs, watch what she wants, and as importantly, do it with a smile. Your enjoying the process will help your baby enjoy it too. And, after all, a smile from your baby is one of the best tips a waiter could get.
Here are some other pregnancy and parenting resources on The Funky Stork that you will find useful:
Thefunkystork.com is a pregnancy resource and parenting guide for expectant fathers and new dads. It provides only general information designed for educational purposes, and does not offer pregnancy or pediatric advice. You should always consult a physician about concerns you have with your pregnancy or your child's health.
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Starting solid foods isn't as easy, however, as setting down a plate. You'll be playing waiter to a whole new world of foods. At any good restaurant, a waiter listens to the messages his guest is sending, and it's the same for your baby. By following a few easy steps, you can make sure that your baby's first solid meals are four star experiences. 
