Solid foods should be given by spoon—not in a bottle. Here are some guidelines to help you with feeding:
- Keep your child upright in an infant seat or high chair.
- Offer one spoonful at a time. Offer small amounts at your child's own pace. Do not rush. Your child will let you know when he is ready for his next bite.
- Let your child use his lips to clear food from the spoon.
- Do not panic if food escapes through your baby's nose. This will continue to happen until the palate is closed. Pause to let your child sneeze or cough, wipe his nose and resume feeding. If this happens often, try a more upright feeding position. Use a bulb syringe if needed to help clean the area.
- Avoid acidic and spicy foods. They can irritate the inside of your child's mouth and nose.
- Start with purees and infant foods when advised by your child's doctor. You can start purees before the palate is closed.