How Do I Introduce Solid Foods to My Baby?

American Baby magazine suggests starting with a single-grain baby cereal such as baby oatmeal, barley, or brown rice when your baby is about 6 months of age. Here’s how to introduce solids to your baby:

• Mix breast milk or formula with the cereal. At first, it should be a watery consistency. As baby gets the hang of eating, use less liquid.
• Offer the initial spoonfuls as a snack, an hour after baby has nursed or had a bottle.
• Wait 3 or 4 days before offering a new grain to make sure baby isn’t allergic.
• Introduce multigrain cereals after you’ve offered him each grain separately.