Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby for at least the first 5-6 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months after birth.
There is usually no reason for giving anything else before that time. Breastmilk provides all the calories, vitamins and minerals in the proper proportions needed by the baby.

There are some advantages to waiting until your baby is ready for solids:
* The younger the baby, the more likely it is that any foods other than breastmilk will cause him allergies. While totally breastfed, the baby is protected by components in mother's milk that coat the intestinal tract, preventing foreign proteins from entering the baby's system and causing an allergic reaction. At about six months of age, the baby begins producing enough antibodies to prevent such allergic reactions.

* The baby's digestive system matures during the first six months. Introducing other foods before the baby's body is ready can lead to frequent digestive upsets, poor nutrient absorption and excessive weight gain due to increased calorie consumption.

* Starting solid foods decreases the amount of antibodies the baby receives because he consumes less breastmilk. When the introduction of solid foods is left until the baby is about six months old his immunological system has begun to function and then he is not depending only on the protection provided by breastmilk.

* A young baby still possesses the tongue-thrust reflex, which causes the food to be pushed out rather than swallowed. As baby approaches six months of age the tongue-thrust reflex has faded and baby's neuromuscular development allows for proper chewing and swallowing of non-liquid foods.

HOW DO I KNOW MY BABY IS READY FOR SOLIDS?

The most obvious indication of a baby's interest in starting solids is his behavior when others are eating. He may watch them intently, imitate their chewing and reach for food.
At the same time baby indicates his readiness for additional food through the eruption of teeth, the ability to sit up, improved hand-eye coordination and the ability to grasp objects with his thumb and forefinger.

SOME HINTS

* Your baby will be more willing to try something new when he is not very hungry so offer   solids after a feeding once or twice a day.
* Start with small amounts, a teaspoon full, gradually increase the amount.
* Offer a new food every 5-6 days. This way, if your baby gets an allergic reaction, it is
  easier to pinpoint the source.
* Add foods from all food groups over the next 3-4 months.
* Don't force baby to eat if he doesn't want.
* If baby objects to a particular food, withhold it for several weeks before offering it again. The   experience of trying new foods should be a pleasant experience for baby.
* Don't add salt or sweeteners to baby's food.
* Never leave baby alone when he is eating!
* Never leave baby alone in the high chair!

WHAT FOODS TO CHOOSE?

Preparing homemade baby food is a practical solution to the expense of commercial foods. Although commercial foods are of adequate quality nowadays, they are rather expensive. They can be a good solution when you take your baby out, are eating out in a restaurant or when your family eats something that is not suitable for baby or something that baby doesn't like.
When prepared properly, with no added sugar or salt, homemade foods are nutritionally superior.
Prefer fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits, avoid canned products, they contain fewer vitamins.

At the beginning foods should be pureed and diluted with liquid. As the baby becomes accustomed to eating solids, the liquid content can be decreased and the texture can be made coarser. After that chunky foods and finger foods can be offered.

* Single grain cereals (such as rice or barley) are a good choice to start with; the mother
  can express some breastmilk or use warm water or formula to mix with the cereal.
* Fruits are also a good choice to start with; banana, peach, apple, melon, pear. Wait with   citrus fruits until baby is about 9 months old (likely to cause allergy if given too early).
* Vegetables: boiled carrot, potatoes, peas, cauliflower, green beans, broccoli, spinach are   all good choices for the beginning.
* After your baby has been introduced to solid foods, you can offer meat: chicken, turkey,   beef, veal, lamb, fish (be careful with bones). Meat adds the protein your growing baby   needs. If your family eats vegetarian meat can be substituted by, for example, tofu.
* Breads: finger sized pieces of dried whole wheat bread or toasts to chew on.
* Eggs: you can give egg yolk to baby when he is 8 or 9 months old. Wait with the egg white   until baby is 1 year old because of risk of allergy.
* Diary products: wait with fresh cow milk until your baby is over 1 year old. You can offer   yogurt, cheese or cottage cheese when baby is about 9 months old.
* Around the age of 8-10 months many babies start to show an interest in drinking from a   cup. Good choices are water or natural fruit juices. Don't offer juices too often since they   contain natural sugars, which can lead to tooth decay and obesity.

ALLERGIES

Certain foods are not suitable for a baby whose parents have a history of allergies. Such a baby should be viewed as potentially allergic himself.
Some foods are more likely than others to cause allergic reactions, avoidance of these foods during the first year of life is effective in reducing these reactions.
Some highly allergenic foods include wheat, fish, tomatoes, onions, citrus fruits, chocolate, spices, nuts.

The following are some signs of reactions that may help you recognize an allergy in your baby:

* Runny nose, stuffiness, constant cold-type symptoms.
* Skin rashes, eczema, hives, and sore bottom.
* Asthma.
* Ear infections.
* Intestinal upset, gas diarrhea, spitting, vomiting.
* Fussiness, irritability, colic.
* Poor weight gain due to malabsorption of food.
* Red itchy eyes, swollen eyelids, dark circles under the eyes, constant tearing.

Sometimes foods consumed by the mother can cause allergic reactions to her baby through her breastmilk.
This is often the case when a mother eats an excess of a particular food. This can be avoided by eating a variety of foods in moderation.
If you suspects that a particular food is causing problems and notice a reaction in your baby three to four hours after you have eaten this food and fed the baby, you can eliminate that particular food from your diet and see if the condition of your baby improves.
If you do eliminate a certain food from your diet, you may need to substitute another food to create a balanced diet.

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