First foods for babies

New moms and dads face many milestones when their child is an infant. I'll never forget my excitement - and relief! - when my son started eating solid foods. He was a big baby and he seemed to be hungry all the time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has some advice on how and when to start transitioning babies to solid food.

1) Wait and watch. Doctors agree that around 4 to 6 months of age, most babies are ready to start eating solid foods. Not only are their energy needs increasing, but infants are physically able to push their tongues against a small spoon or the food.

2) Where to start. It doesn't really matter what time of day you start serving a baby solid foods, but some parents prefer doing it during a family meal. If that turns out to be too chaotic, find a quieter time when you and the baby can focus on the feeding.

3) What's first? Traditionally, single grain cereals are introduced first, but the American Academy of Pediatrics reports there is no medical evidence suggesting there is an advantage to introducing solid foods in any particular order. Despite that, some doctors say rice cereal is often a good place to start because it is easy to digest.

4) One at a time. Some doctors recommend waiting at least three to four days before introducing a new food. This will allow you to watch for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, vomiting or diarrhea.

5) Fruits and vegetables. Babies may be born with a preference for sweets, but doctors say that doesn't mean you need to introduce fruits before vegetables. There is no evidence that babies will develop a dislike of vegetables if they are offered before fruits.

Finally, there are several foods that should not be served to a baby. Honey is a no-no for kids under the age of one because of the risk of botulism. Some pediatricians also warn parents against serving eggs, fish and peanut products in the first year of life because of the potential for allergic reactions.

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