There comes a time in every baby’s life when the food on your plate starts to look better than what she’s been eating. Is it time to start feeding your baby solid foods?

Here are a few questions to consider when coming up with an answer:

• Is your baby around 6 months old?
  
  
• Can she sit up with support and hold her head up on her own?
  
  
• Does she show interest in solid foods, say, by watching you when you eat and opening her mouth or moving it as if chewing along?
  
  
• When you offer her a spoonful, does she take it into her mouth and move her jaw instead of pushing it out with her tongue?
• Has she doubled her birth weight (about 13 pounds or more)?
• Is she still hungry after eating a full meal of breast milk or formula?

If the answer to these questions is yes, your baby may be ready for her foray into solid foods.

First foods

In the past, parents were advised to start with a single-grain cereal and introduce solid foods in a specific order: rice cereal, vegetables, fruit, then meat. We now know there’s no scientific evidence showing that introducing foods in a specific order is necessary. Of course, it's fine if you want to introduce foods in the traditional order, but if you think your baby is interested in trying a different food first, that’s OK, too.

The following guidelines do still apply:

• Introduce new foods one by one, waiting two to three days between each new food to watch for an allergic reaction, such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting.
  
  
• While it’s called solid food, your baby’s first foods won’t actually be solid. Instead, the foods will be soft or pureed -- what we generally think of as baby food and find in baby food jars at the store. If you like, you can also puree food in a blender or food processor. Just make sure everything is reduced to the point that it no longer requires chewing. You can also mix in a little breast milk or formula to make your baby’s first solid foods more familiar.
  
  
• Offer small bites -- half a spoonful or a smidgeon on the end of your fingertip is enough. And don’t expect your little one to start feeding herself yet. That will come later when she’s ready for finger foods.
  
  
• If your baby balks, don’t force it. Back off and return to breast milk or formula for a while. There’s plenty of time for your baby to learn to enjoy solid foods.
• Don’t forget breast milk or formula. Just because your baby has started solid foods doesn’t mean she’s ready to be weaned. On the contrary, breast milk and/or formula will continue to be an important part of your baby’s diet until she’s at least 12 months old.

As you begin feeding your baby solid foods, remember that mealtime is not only for eating -- it’s an important social activity as well. So as your little one takes her first tastes, make it a family affair and enjoy your meal together. Bon appetit!

If you’re breastfeeding, you know that nursing is a wonderful experience that brings you and your baby closer. But even good things come to an end. How do you know when it’s time to wean?

There’s no magic age when you must wean your baby. As long as you and your little one are happy, you can continue breastfeeding into the toddler years. It’s also worth noting that, given enough time, all babies will wean themselves naturally, gradually reducing the number of times they nurse while increasing the amount of solid food they eat until eventually they are no longer breastfeeding.

Here are three signs that weaning has begun naturally or that it’s time to begin:

1. Your baby has become too busy to breastfeed. Once your child is mobile, he may become too busy exploring his world to sit still and nurse, especially during the day. But don’t be surprised if he still nuzzles up to you for a little breastfeeding closeness before bedtime or when he’s in need of comfort.
   
   
2. Your baby’s tastes shift to solid food. Once your little one discovers solid food, he may begin to lose interest in breast milk in favor of all the interesting new tastes and textures you are now offering him. Keep in mind, however, that solid foods should not replace breast milk before your child’s first birthday. Instead, think of solids as an addition to breast milk (or formula) until your baby is at least 1 year old.
   
   
3. Your lifestyle has changed. Your baby isn’t the only one whose life is evolving. A new pregnancy, a change in your job situation, a shift in schedule, new activities, or simply a waning desire on your part to continue breastfeeding -- these are all valid reasons to start weaning your baby.

Finally, if you are weaning your baby (or he is weaning himself), don’t forget that his delicate digestive system won’t be ready for cow’s milk until he’s 1 year old. Until then, offer breast milk or formula in a bottle or cup to supplement solid food. No matter when weaning starts or how it occurs, mark this transition as another positive step in your little one’s development.

Calling all new dads! If you’re not quite sure how to start connecting with your newborn, you’re not alone. While some parents begin bonding with their babies immediately, it’s also completely common for some parents (both mom and dad) to feel a little uncertain about how to start getting close to their baby.

But bonding is really important. Whatever the long-term effects might be, one thing’s for sure: Strong, healthy relationships will boost your baby’s development by giving him a sense of security and self-esteem. What’s more, forming those ties can start as soon as your baby is born. It's something you’ll be able to do during the course of your everyday routine. Here’s how.

Hold him
You love your baby, and your baby will love being in your arms. New dads should carry their newborns, cradle them, and keep them close to their skin for added bonding.

Massage him
Simple massages can help your baby relax and fall asleep. The key is to massage very gently. You might enjoy taking a class in infant massage at your local hospital, or reading up on the subject.

Communicate with him
Your baby might not have any idea what you’re saying, but that doesn’t mean he loves hearing the sound of your voice any less. Whether you're reading, singing, or talking to your baby (or even mimicking those adorable cooing noises), you’ll stimulate his senses and deepen your attachment.

Give him a bath
Bathing your newborn will help both of you relax after a busy day and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

Wear your baby
When you want to be near your newborn but aren’t actually able to hold him (maybe you're typing or folding his laundry), you can wear him instead. Putting your baby in a front carrier will help him feel cozy against your chest -- just make sure his carrier offers good head and neck support.

Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

It happens to every parent: One day you notice your sweet, loving baby has morphed into a defiant, tantrum-prone child who’s moody for no reason and loves to say no. Don’t worry, it’s a normal part of child development, and your child is just pushing the envelope, testing his boundaries to see what you’ll allow him to get away with.

Here’s how to get through this tougher side of childhood.

Why the twos can be terrible
Imagine that you’ve suddenly gone through a major developmental spurt that’s given you the ability to communicate, think, and even move like never before. It’s sort of like having superpowers -- and naturally, you want to test them out to see how far they’ll get you. That’s sort of what life is like for your child during this stage. And when frustration occurs (perhaps brought on by the fact that you told him he cannot stay up past his bedtime), his mood may change, he may tell you no, or he may send a tantrum your way.

How to get through it
The most important thing to remember during this phase is to not take it personally. Just because your child tried to bite you in a fit of rage doesn’t actually mean he loves you less. He’s just frustrated. The best way to help him cope with his negative feelings is to boost his confidence, which will actually help him feel more independent (and, consequently, less frustrated). Here’s how.

Encourage exploration
Let your child feed his curiosity by allowing him to explore his world as much as possible in a safe way. If something’s not safe, tell him no -- he’ll eventually come to learn what’s acceptable and what isn’t.

Offer praise.
Boost your child’s self-esteem by letting him know when he’s done a good job. If he plays nicely with his friend or completes the task you asked him to (like changing into his pajamas), tell him how happy and proud you are.

Be consistent.
Even though your child may be continuously reaching milestones, he might still have his bad days -- don’t we all! Don’t let a tantrum or bad mood throw your resolve. Soon, he’ll grow out of it!

If your baby is about to turn 1 and you're still breastfeeding or formula-feeding, you are to be congratulated! Keep it up as long as you and your healthy baby are enjoying it. But if you’re both ready to make the switch from breast or formula to cow’s milk, there are a few important things to keep in mind. 

Most healthy babies should drink whole milk, because the fat and fatty acids in it are important for baby development. A child younger than 1 should not be given cow's milk; it could cause allergies and other problems in her delicate digestive system. However, if your child is already overweight by 1 year of age or has a family history of obesity, your doctor may recommend reduced-fat or 2 percent milk in her second year of life.

If your baby has been on a special formula, check with your pediatrician before moving on to cow's milk, and remember that a 1-year-old should be drinking about 24 ounces of milk or breast milk a day. Also, now that your baby is 1 year old, it might be a good time to introduce a sippy cup! She's getting to be a big girl!