6 Six Common Mistakes When Introducing Solid Food

Based on both our clinical observations and the questions frequently addressed to us by mothers, it is evident that the period of transition to complementary feeding and solid food raises numerous concerns. Often, mothers continue this process guided by the same misconceptions, which can complicate the introduction of complementary foods. For this reason, this article aims to highlight the most common mistakes mothers make when initiating complementary feeding.

1.

The most fundamental mistake concerns the infant’s age—namely, offering complementary foods before the baby has reached six months of age. Introducing any foods to an infant who has not yet completed six months, including placing food in the mouth or rubbing it on the tongue, is strictly inadmissible. This is because every infant may have allergies, or the body may not be ready to digest anything other than breast milk or formula.

This situation can be compared to forcing a child who cannot yet sit to sit, a child who cannot yet walk to walk, or a child who cannot yet crawl to crawl. Just as we do not attempt to impose these abilities before the infant reaches the appropriate developmental stage, complementary foods should likewise not be introduced prematurely.

Before six months of age, the infant’s gastrointestinal system is not ready for complementary feeding, and infants at this stage should not even be offered tastes of food. Our article “Is It Worth Tasting?” provides a more detailed discussion of this issue.

2.

Another common misconception among mothers is failing to observe the signs indicating whether the infant is ready for complementary feeding. In the absence of readiness cues, mothers often begin introducing complementary foods based solely on the calendar. This approach may be particularly harmful for preterm infants, since, as is well known, infants born prematurely still have several weeks of physiological development that would normally have occurred in utero.

While an infant born at 40 weeks of gestation may be introduced to complementary foods at six months of age, it is inappropriate to base the timing for preterm infants solely on their chronological birth date. Therefore, the age of preterm infants should be calculated using corrected age. If an infant’s chronological age is six months, the weeks not completed in utero must also be taken into account. For preterm infants, transitioning to complementary foods later than six months of chronological age is generally more appropriate. In this context, numerical age thresholds are conditional concepts rather than absolute rules.

Standards do not represent a single fixed number but rather indicate minimum or maximum age limits. Accordingly, the six-month threshold should also be regarded as a conditional figure, which is discussed in greater detail in our article. This conditional number simply reflects that, by around six months of age, most infants typically begin to demonstrate signs of readiness for complementary feeding.

What are these signs? The first and most important sign is the ability to sit independently—that is, the infant should be able to sit unassisted for a certain period, rather than being propped up with pillows or cushions. The next sign is the presence of one or more teeth. Another sign is the development of grasping ability, meaning the infant can pick up food using the hand or fingers and bring it to the mouth.

This involves both fine motor skills and coordination, as the infant is able to intentionally guide food to the mouth. Another important sign is that the infant does not push food out of the mouth with their tongue, whether it is soft or partially solid. These are the primary indicators. If a mother observes these signs, it indicates that the infant is already ready to receive additional fluids and complementary foods.

3.

Parents or grandparents may have exaggerated expectations regarding complementary feeding—that is, they may assume that once a child starts complementary foods, they should immediately consume half or even the entire portion of a fruit or prepared porridge, reasoning that “the neighbor’s child does this” or “so-and-so did the same as a child.” In reality, these expectations are greatly inflated, and parents, especially mothers, should take such assumptions into account when introducing complementary foods.

An adult can eat a whole fruit, but a child may not be able to. For example, a banana, an apple, a peach, or a plum is typically considered an adult portion, whereas a child may only eat half, a third, or even a quarter of it. From approximately six months to one year of age, the portion a baby consumes is mostly for tasting. Mothers often misinterpret such behavior as the child refusing food, describing it as “playing with food,” when in fact it is a normal and proper process of transitioning to complementary feeding.

Our recommendation for mothers is that, if you want to visualize or estimate the appropriate portion for your child, look at the size of the baby’s fist. A child can generally fill their stomach with about half the volume of their fist. For example, a child can’t eat porridge that’s the size of their fist or larger, even if they want to. In most cases, overfeeding leads to the child regurgitating the food because their stomach is not ready to accommodate that amount. To ensure a gentle and proper transition to complementary feeding, mothers should introduce foods patiently, gradually, in small amounts, and with a variety of colors and flavors. Naturally, the healthier the food choices, the better the outcome.

4.

Another common mistaken approach is replacing breastfeeding with complementary foods. This myth is one of the most frequently encountered misconceptions, as mothers often believe that once the baby starts complementary feeding, breastfeeding should stop—but this is not the case. There are several important points to consider. First, we must remember that breast milk is the most calorically dense and nutritious food in the world. Therefore, it remains essential for babies to continue receiving breast milk to ensure adequate satiety. Complementary foods should not replace breast milk. Typically, complementary foods are offered in small portions after breastfeeding or between breastfeeding sessions. In short, complementary foods are introduced into the diet without interfering with breastfeeding.

What happens otherwise?

• First, the baby’s weight may start to decrease, because even if you add calorie-rich ingredients—such as butter or other enriched foods—to complementary foods like porridge, these foods still cannot match breast milk in terms of caloric content and satiety. Therefore, we observe a decrease in weight when babies consume less calorie-dense food. If the baby loses weight after starting complementary feeding, it indicates that the volume of complementary food is too high and the number of breastfeeding sessions is too low, leading to an undesirable outcome. In this case, breastfeeding should be increased and the amount of complementary food reduced.

• Another important point to note is that as a mother reduces breastfeeding and increases complementary foods, her milk supply begins to decrease. One of the most common questions from mothers is, “How can I prevent my milk from decreasing when introducing complementary foods?” The solution is to continue breastfeeding as usual without reducing the number of nursing sessions while gradually introducing complementary foods.

• We should also keep in mind that babies need breast milk up to the age of two. According to calculations by specialist Kelly Bonyata, a 6–7-month-old baby requires 700–800 ml of breast milk (other sources cite 500–900 ml). An 11–16-month-old baby needs about 550 ml, while a 12–24-month-old requires 400–500 ml of breast milk. It is also important to note that children over 6 months become more active—they start rolling, trying to crawl, learning to sit, and later begin walking—which increases their energy needs. This means that babies still require nutrient-dense and satisfying food, which, without a doubt, is breast milk. Therefore, it is more appropriate to introduce complementary foods without stopping breastfeeding.

5.

Another mistaken approach inherited from past living conditions is the belief that complementary foods should not be introduced during the summer. Among specialists, there is also the assumption that in the past, before refrigerators, food spoiled more quickly in the summer, increasing the risk of poisoning, so children were not given complementary foods during these months. Today, stores follow proper storage practices, every home has a refrigerator, and we can safely store food after bringing it home. Therefore, starting with complementary foods in the summer poses no danger.

6.

It is a misconception, yet one commonly accepted in society, that infants need water in hot weather. For some reason, most people assume that even young infants (those under six months of age) require additional fluids in hot conditions, just like adults. In fact, most breastfeeding mothers are aware that during breastfeeding, the infant initially consumes the foremilk—which is rich in water (approximately 88–90% water)—and only afterwards receives the fatty “hindmilk.” This principle also applies to formula-fed infants. That is, if the formula is prepared according to instructions and its water content meets the established standards, the infant does not require additional water.

International studies conducted on children living in climates harsher, drier, and hotter than that of our country, including desert conditions, have confirmed that even in extremely arid environments, infants under six months do not need supplemental water or fluids. Therefore, providing water or other liquids to infants simply because the weather is hot is a mistaken approach. When temperatures unexpectedly rise, try breastfeeding the infant more frequently. You may even observe that the child naturally seeks to nurse more often, with feedings occurring at shorter intervals, which indicates that the infant is simply trying to satisfy thirst with foremilk. In other words, if we breastfeed according to the infant’s needs, we will simultaneously provide the necessary fluids to quench thirst and ensure proper nutrition and satiety.

As you can see, the idea that starting complementary feeding during the summer months is dangerous has no scientific basis, and in modern times it is completely safe and normal to begin complementary feeding. Moreover, since a wide variety of fruits and vegetables are abundant during the summer, I believe that both the infant and the family should be able to make the most efficient and proper use of this season. Therefore, if your child’s age of 6–8 months falls during the summer and you observe signs of readiness for complementary feeding, there is no reason to worry. By adhering to general hygiene and cleanliness rules, you can safely begin introducing complementary foods.

One of the main points that mothers shouldpay attention to when introducing complementary foods is observing hygienic rules throughout the year, especially during the summer months. For example, food should be heated once before being given to the infant and should not be reheated; if a spoon that has touched the infant’s mouth comes into contact with the food again, that portion should not be stored; surfaces that contact the food must be properly disinfected; and both the mother’s and the infant’s hands should be clean—these are basic hygiene rules.

Author: Saltanat Zulfugarova
Breastfeeding Consultant