Infant Feeding Milestones: From Exclusive Milk to First Solids

Feeding is one of the most important aspects of caring for your newborn. Whether breastfeeding or using formula, ensuring your baby gets the right nutrition is vital for their brain and body development. For the first six months, exclusive milk feeding is generally recommended by health experts.

Starting Solids: The Signs of Readiness

Around six months, most babies are ready to start exploring solid foods alongside their milk. It's an exciting but messy new chapter! Don't rush it—look for these signs of readiness:

• Sitting up with little or no support.
• Good head control.
• Showing interest in what you are eating.
• The "tongue-thrust reflex" has disappeared.

The First Tastes

Start with single-grain cereals or pureed vegetables. Introduce one new food at a time and wait a few days to check for any allergic reactions. The goal at this stage is exploration and learning new textures, not replacing milk entirely.

Keep the environment calm and positive. If they reject a food, don't worry—it can take up to 15 tries for a baby to accept a new flavor!