Getting ready to start your baby on solids? Before reaching for rice cereal, find out why timing and food choice matter more than you think!
Why Grains Don’t Belong in the Bottle
Babies are biologically designed to thrive on breast milk in their early months. Fat is what their growing brain, immune system, and gut need most, so that’s what breast milk (and formula designed to mimic breast milk) primarily contains.
When we suddenly introduce complex carbohydrates like rice, oats, or wheat, their immature digestive system can’t handle it. They don’t have the enzymes to break those grains down properly, which can lead to:
- Fussiness
- Gas and bloating
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Irritation of the gut lining (a setup for food sensitivities later)
Sure, thickening a bottle with cereal might reduce spit-up—but it’s not fixing the root cause. It’s just making their stomach contents harder to come back up. Like plugging a leaky pipe with cement: it stops the leak, but causes bigger issues later.
Signs Your Baby is Actually Ready for Solids
When you think about when to introduce solids, it’s not just about hitting a certain age. Readiness depends on development—not a date on the calendar.
Here are 5 signs to look for:
- They can sit up unassisted—not just briefly propped, but actually holding their own weight.
- Teething has started—indicates that gut enzyme activity is changing too.
- They’re showing interest in food—watching you eat, reaching for your plate.
- They’re still hungry after nursing or bottle-feeding.
- The tongue-thrust (gag) reflex has faded—they’re not pushing solids right back out with their tongue.
Check those five boxes? Now you’re ready to talk about what to offer.
What to Feed Instead (Hint: Mimic Breast Milk!)
Your baby’s first foods should be high in fat (just like breast milk) or easy to digest carbs from fruits. Try:
- Egg yolk (soft-boiled, no whites yet)
- Avocado (rich in healthy fats)
- Ripe banana (great texture, easy to mash)
- Homemade purees made with breast milk or bone broth
- Pureed grass-fed meats like ground beef or liver
And instead of spoon-feeding every bite, let your baby lead. We love the baby-led weaning approach, where babies explore real food, develop fine motor skills, and build a healthy relationship with eating (and yes—unfortunately make a giant adorable mess).
What If They Hate It?
Don’t panic if they reject something on the first try. That cute disgusted face? Totally normal. Their tastes and interest in food evolve quickly. Try again in a few days, or even a few weeks.
What If Digestion is Still a Struggle?
If your baby is gassy, constipated, or reacting to new foods—even when you’re doing everything right—the issue might go deeper.
Their nervous system could be out of balance.
The digestive system, immune system, and nervous system are deeply connected. If a child is stuck in “fight or flight” mode, their body can’t properly process food or regulate immune responses. That’s why we specialize in neurologically focused chiropractic care—to help restore that balance and support optimal digestion and development.
Our gentle, non-invasive scans help us see what’s going on beneath the surface and create a plan that helps your child truly thrive.
Have questions? Want to get your baby checked?
Let’s chat. Reach out to our team at Thrive Chiropractic and we’ll walk you through the process step by step.
And if you found this helpful, please share it! So many parents say, “I wish someone told me this earlier.” You could be that someone for another family.
CONTACT US