Final answer:
The mother should introduce solid foods by giving only one new food at a time to the young infant's diet. This allows for careful monitoring for any allergic reactions and supports the child's growth and development by gradually adding variety to the diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introduction to Solid Foods in Infant's Diet
When instructing a mother on how to introduce solid foods into the diet of a young infant, the best practice is to introduce only one new food at a time. This strategy is important in order to identify any potential allergic reactions or intolerances to specific foods. It is also advisable to wait a few days between introducing each new food.
During the first year of life, growth and development are significant. By six months, infants often begin teething and may start experiencing new tastes as they explore solid foods. Introducing a variety of solid foods is essential for their nutritional needs. When selecting these foods, choosing fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended, along with meats, high in protein, such as fish and chicken, and grains.
However, when initially introducing solids, it is not recommended to mix different foods or to provide variety immediately. Patience is key, and allowing time to gauge the infant's reactions to each individual food is critical. By doing so, parents can help ensure that the dietary transition is both beneficial and safe for their child's development.