The baby learns about important sensations such as shape, texture, and firmness by putting fingers, toes, blankets, pacifiers, and infant toys in the mouth. This information prepares the mouth and provides readiness for the new feelings of a spoon and different foods. When you start new foods, begin with small tastes that your baby can suck off your finger, hands, or a pacifier. It's much easier for the baby to get used to new tastes first before learning to suck and swallow a mouthful of the new food. Make slight changes in the thickness or thinness of the cereal.
Many babies learn to eat more easily if the cereal is very thin.
Others do better when it is thicker. Find just the right consistency for your individual baby. Remember that as your baby develops and eating becomes easier, a different consistency may be needed. You can also make infant fruits and vegetables thinner by adding juice or water, and can thicken them with rice cereal. Introduce the first taste of fruit by mixing infant juice with a favorite cereal.