Most parents are anxious to give their baby a taste of new foods.
If you have ever seen a baby react to the sweet taste of a banana or the tartness of a raspberry, you understand the excitement most parents feel when introducing solids to their child's diet. But introducing solids to a baby needs careful consideration in addition to a fun attitude. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least one full year of life to help a baby develop and grow properly, and not to introduce juice, water and solid foods before the sixth month. Breastmilk provides antibodies against illness and allergies, so the less breastmilk a baby receives, the less protection he has. Although the sixth month is generally the month many pediatricians tell parents to start giving solids, many nutritionists and breastfeeding experts recommend waiting until your baby shows signs of interest.