246 Part Three Infants
do with this developmental task.
This is true for the following reasons:
Until babies are 16 to 18 weeks
old, they have an extrusion refl ex
(the tongue thrusts forward
when it is touched by an object).
Also, babies will not open their
mouths when they see food until
they are about fi ve months old. If
solids are not introduced before
eight or nine months, however,
the baby may reject them.
Babies do not need more
nutrition than breast milk or
formula until they reach 13 to
15 pounds.
Before six months of age,
babies do not have the needed
enzymes (special proteins that
aid digestion) or saliva for
digesting solid foods.
The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends as the fi rst
solid food a commercial iron-enriched
rice cereal. For the fi rst feedings, the
cereal should contain so much liquid
that it “pours” from the spoon. To
get this consistency, use about one
teaspoon of rice cereal mixed with
two tablespoons of breast milk or
formula. Although water could be
used, breast milk or formula will be
more nutritious and offers a familiar
taste. Very gradually make the
cereal thicker at each feeding as the
baby learns to use his or her tongue
and tolerate the texture. The baby’s
pediatrician will recommend when to
introduce other solids. As cereal and
other solids are introduced, the baby
will need water for proper kidney
action. The baby’s doctor can advise
how much water to offer each day.
11-6 In the second half of the fi rst year, babies begin to experiment with feeding themselves.