Top 10 Food Ideas For Your 4 Months Baby

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Finding suitable food ideas for your four months old baby may be confusing as this is probably the first time they are being introduced to solid food.

As babies turn four months, they become more active and playful. In addition, they start to exhibit more interest in their surroundings. Their stomachs also grow bigger and are ready for more food. Moreover, they seem less interested in milk and are ready to explore new food varieties.

If you recognize these signs in your baby, it is an indication that they have reached the developmental milestone where you may introduce them to solid foods.

Read the post to find whether your baby is ready for solids and to discover some interesting food ideas for them.

Is Your Baby Ready For Solids?

Your baby must have lost the ‘tongue thrust reflex’ by the time they are four months of age. Thrust reflex prevents the infants from choking. It also causes them to push the food out of their mouths. The World Health Organization recommends that we start solids at six months but solids may be introduced at four months.

According to the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) survey data, the average age for introducing complementary foods to children in the United States is 4.7 months. Around 31.9% of infants start complementary feeding before 4 months, and about 51.0% begin eating solids between 4 and 6 months. The remaining 17.1% start weaning at 7 months of age or later.

If your baby seems unsatisfied after milk feeds, can hold their head up without any support, can sit without support, wakes up more frequently at night to feed, follows your food with their eyes when you eat, then probably it is the time to introduce him to solid foods. See if your baby is interested in the food or not. If your child stares and grabs your food at dinnertime, then he is ready for some variety. The baby should be able to sit well without any support. Your child needs good neck control to eat solid foods. It will enable him to swallow his food efficiently. The 4 months baby food should consist of solids.

According to Marissa Beck, MS, registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of REVV Health, “Optimal timing is about signs of readiness over chronological age. The signs to look for are that your baby can sit with minimal support (not slouching) so that safe chewing and swallowing can occur.”

Quick fact

The ability to pick up things between the finger and the thumb is one of the signs of readiness to eat solids (3).

Top 10 Ideas

Here are the top 10 ideas for a 4-month-old baby as they begin their journey into solid foods.

1. Baby Cereal:

Baby cereal is the most recommended first food for infants. Prepare the cereal with formula or breast milk. It will give the cereal a texture and taste that he is already familiar with. Cereal is also one of the least allergenic foods, making it suitable for babies of 4 months. Give gluten-free cereal, particularly if you have a family history of Celiac diseases or allergies. Wheat, barley, and rye cereal may be unsuitable for babies as they contain gluten. Rice and oatmeal are the least allergenic varieties of cereal.

2. Avocado:

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If you want to serve a complete and delicious meal for your baby, then you can serve him avocado. Slice an avocado and spoon out the flesh. Mash it with a fork or puree in a food processor. Add breast milk or formula milk to make it more ‘soupy’.

3. Banana:

Bananas are considered one of nature’s most perfect foods. Babies love them for their natural sweetness. Also, banana is rich in fiber, so it will keep the things moving through your tot’s digestive system. Remove the skin of the banana and puree the flesh. You can also thin it with a little formula milk or breast milk. The food for 4 months baby is tasty with this all round nutritious fruit.

4. Butternut Squash:

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Butternut squash has a pleasing texture, making it ideal for a baby’s palate. Baked butternut squash will make a great food for your little one. All you need to do is pierce the butternut squash and bake for an hour at 375 degrees. Cut it lengthwise and then scoop out the fibers and seeds. Then spoon out the flesh and mash with a fork or masher.

5. Sweet Potato:

Sweet potato is a popular first food for babies. It is easier to digest and does not cause constipation in children. Cut the sweet potato and simmer in a little water until tender. Transfer to a food processor and puree, adding a little water or breast milk.

6. Carrots:

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Carrot is another great choice for baby food. Cut the carrots into sticks and bake for over 20 to 30 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The food for 4 month old baby is healthy with carrots.

7. Apple:

With your doctor’s consent, you can serve cooked apples to your baby. Dice the apple and simmer or steam until tender. Cooking apple until it is just tender will ensure that all the nutrients are preserved. Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. The 4 month old baby food is extremely nutritious with this addition.

8. Pear:

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Pears are one of the safest foods to give as a first food. The allergic reactions to pear are rare. Also, they have a low acidity level, which makes them gentle on the tiny tummies. Puree steamed pear and add to the baby’s cereal.

9. Milk:

At this stage, breast milk will provide total nutrition to your baby. Don’t even think of replacing breast milk or formula until 12 months of age. It can cause serious health implications. Also, never give your child low-fat or skim milk products until he is 2 years old. The 4 months old baby food is extremely delicious with milk.

Quick fact

A child should drink only full-fat milk until two years old, as fat is essential for optimum brain development (4).

10. Peas:

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Fiber filled peas will make an ideal first veggie for babies. Steam the peas for 6 minutes and puree in a food processor, adding the cooking liquid. Strain using a sieve to discard the solids. Pea puree may thicken after it is refrigerated. So stir in a small amount of water, formula or breast milk while heating.

Tips

• A baby’s tummy is the size of his fist. Do not expect your baby to finish a meal. He probably will eat just ½ of a tablespoon portion of what you serve to him.

• Serve a food to baby for four days at a stretch. It will help you learn the signs of intolerance and allergy. Follow this process until your baby has tried a variety of foods.

• Always serve cooked veggies to your baby so that he can chew it easily. Cooking breaks down the cell wall, making the food easier to digest by the baby.

• Place the spoon near your baby’s lips and let him taste and smell. Don’t be surprised if your tot rejects the first spoon. Wait for a few minutes and try again.

• Do not add any salt or pepper to the baby food.

• As your baby gets used to solid food, make the puree less runny. You can mash the food instead of pureeing it.

Point to consider

Babies under one year should not be fed much salt as their kidneys are not developed enough to excrete it. Also, breastfed babies get the necessary sodium from their mother’s milk (5).

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are looking for food ideas for your 4-month-old baby, begin by offering easily digestible foods such as bananas, sweet potatoes, and cereals. At four months, your tiny tot may be interested in eating foods other than milk. Though most babies are fed various solid foods after six months, you may introduce mashed forms of foods after they cross the four-month mark. Nevertheless, do not rush into introducing foods to your baby. Also, remember that all babies do not react to new foods alike. Hence, if you notice that your baby is not interested in certain foods, give them some time or try feeding other varieties.

Infographic: Delicious And Nutritious Solid Foods For 4-Month-Olds

Babies can begin ingesting solids between four and six months of age. However, they cannot be fed hard solids, and require purees made from fruits and baked vegetables. This infographic provides a few healthy purees to feed your four-month-olds. Save and share it with other new mothers too!

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Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Key Pointers

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Moloko MehlapeMSc Dietetics

Moloko Mehlape is a registered dietitian in private practice with around nine years of experience in the field. Her special interest lies in nutrition education, sports nutrition, weight, and chronic disease management. She is a philanthropist passionate about making a positive impact in public health through nutrition. Dt. Mehlape has completed extensive formal education and training, and holds qualifications BSc...more

Jessica AlbertBE

Jessica Albert is a passionate writer who seeks to connect with her readers through wit and charm. Her work aims to invoke curiosity and keep the readers engaged through and through. She has two years of experience working with magazines and e-commerce establishments as a content marketer and editor. Being a mother herself, she puts all her knowledge into creating...more

• Blanca GarciaRDN

  Blanca Garcia has been a registered dietitian nutritionist since 2013 with a private practice in Pasadena, California. She currently consults through the preschool Head Start Programs in Los Angeles. Blanca graduated in 2011 from California State University of Los Angeles and interned at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Science campus in 2012.
  
  Blanca Garcia has been a registered dietitian nutritionist since 2013 with a private practice in Pasadena, California. She currently consults through the preschool Head Start Programs in Los Angeles. Blanca graduated in 2011 from California State University of Los Angeles and interned at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Science campus in 2012.
• Marissa BeckMS, RDN

  Marissa Beck is the founder of REVV Health. She did her MSc from Columbia University in New York, and BA from Tufts University in Boston, MA. With 13 years of experience, Marissa previously worked as the Nutrition Program Manager at Nintendo through wellness vendor, CareATC.
  
  Marissa Beck is the founder of REVV Health. She did her MSc from Columbia University in New York, and BA from Tufts University in Boston, MA. With 13 years of experience, Marissa previously worked as the Nutrition Program Manager at Nintendo through wellness vendor, CareATC.