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Chewing the food is not such a simple task for all babies. If you're ready to start diversifying your baby's food and get him started on solids, or have already started, but you notice that your baby has difficulty in chewing the food, you will find the below tips to be very helpful. The first year of a baby's life involves many major changes, especially in terms of nutrition. Parents need to show patience when teaching the baby to get used to the taste, texture, and form of solid foods. It is recommended that when the baby reaches one year, he can eat foods that do not have the consistency of purée. To reach this stage, parents can begin to prepare the little one for the transition sooner, around 7-8 months, by giving him small, ungrated pieces of fruit and vegetable. When can the baby start eating solid foods? The best time is to wait until the baby's first teeth come out to start feeding him solids. Not only will the teeth help to break the fruit or vegetable that they will have to chew, they are also very helpful for the baby's painful gums. But as the first teeth come in for most babies at 8-9 months old, you can start the transition sooner. How to stimulate chewing food The first change in the baby's nutrition depends on the parents, especially the mother! They must be calm and patient! The baby should not be forced to eat solid foods. And if the baby does refuse the food, then he is not yet ready for this step. After a week he may want to start chewing on his own and try new experiences. This stage in the diversification of babies nutrition primarily depends on how prepared the baby is, and how calm his parents are. A tip most mothers follow is not too make the switch from pureed foods to solids too quickly. It is recommended for the transition to come in steps overtime, changing the puree consistency steadily. If at first the blender is used to prepare the baby's food, overtime the food can be prepared by smashing it with a fork, to allow some of the fruits, vegetables, or meat to stay in larger bits, yet small enough for the little one not to refuse. Alternate pureed foods with larger pieces of food. Reduce the composition and quantity of pureed foods and replace it with larger, whale pieces of food. Using this method, you ensure that the baby is eating exactly how much he needs and that he discovers at the same time, how to chew food. Around one year of age, babies begin to become more independent and choose to feed themselves. If parents observe this behavior, the baby should be encouraged to eat alone or by hand, or with his spoon. Small pieces of fruit, vegetables or meat will create a real pleasure for him. He will not only learn a new texture to food, but through this repetitive game of catch and take to the mouth, his motor skills will develop. The power of example plays an important role. Place the baby in his seat with you at the table and eat together! The baby will observe others as they eat and feel encouraged to do the same. After the baby grows and understands, tell him that chewing helps him to have healthy teeth and will give him a mouth as strong as that of a crocodile. Encourage him to eat slowly and chew food many times before swallowing and not to accumulate too much food in his mouth at once. You thus prevent the little one from choking. All parents have some questions when it comes to their baby's nutrition, such as How Often Should I Feed My Baby? Parents should not hesitate to ask or seek advice, since parenting is not about the parent's own pride, but the health, safety, and well-being of the baby and his parents as a whole.
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