Dubai, UAE - Every baby is unique, and it's fascinating to discover what foods your baby enjoys. Some newborns will consume solid meals as soon as they are introduced, while others prefer to be fed only breast milk or formula for a longer period. Some babies eat everything, while others have distinct preferences. Continue to provide a variety of healthy foods so that your little one can learn to appreciate a variety of food flavours and textures.

Signs that your child is ready for solid foods
There are three distinct signals that, when observed together beginning about 6 months of age, indicate that your baby is ready for their first solid foods in addition to breast milk or infant formula.
Stay in a sitting position and keep their head steady.
Coordinate their eyes, hands, and mouth so they can look at the food, pick it up, and put it in their mouth on their own.
Swallow food rather than spit it out

“Consuming the right foods from the start is critical for your child's oral health. The foods they eat play an important part in the development of strong teeth and gums, which aids in the prevention of dental problems and maintaining a healthy smile. A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and important nutrients promotes their growth and helps to form tooth enamel, the protective outer coating of teeth” says Dr. Yasmin Kottait, the best Pediatric dentist in Dubai.

Best foods for children's teeth and gums
Fruits: Fruits provide important nutrients and textures that are beneficial to your child's dental health. Apples, pears, and other crunchy fruits are high in fibre, which helps to remove plaque and food particles from teeth. These fruits can also massage the gums, assisting in the removal of plaque and cleaning of hard-to-reach places. Oranges, which are high in vitamin C and can cause salivation, which is the mouth's natural cleaning agent, may also be beneficial to dental health. Just be careful your child doesn't overeat fruits, especially citrus fruits, which contain natural sugars and acids.

Veggies: Whether raw or cooked, veggies are an excellent addition to your child's snack or meal plate. Carrots and celery are both crisp and high in fibre, making them ideal for plaque removal. They also have a high water content, which aids in the removal of carbohydrates and acids from tooth surfaces. Introduce broccoli and leafy greens to your child, which contain folic acid, calcium, and vitamin K, all of which are beneficial to your child's dental health.

Protein-rich foods: Protein is excellent for tooth enamel strength. Serve lean foods to your youngster, such as white fish, chicken, and turkey. You can also supplement your child's diet with nuts and seeds such as almonds, and peanuts.
Calcium-rich foods: One of the most crucial nutrients for your child's dental health is calcium. Calcium is abundant in low-fat dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt.

Phosphorus-rich foods: Phosphorus is beneficial to tooth strength and is found in many foods such as fish, eggs, lean meat, nuts, beans, and dairy. Eggs are an excellent choice since they include vitamin D, which aids with calcium absorption.

Talk to your kids dentist in Dubai if you have any questions regarding your child’s diet for healthy teeth.

When and how to start?
Babies utilise iron stored in their bodies from their time in the womb for the first six months or so. Breastmilk and/or newborn formula also provide iron. A baby's iron stores deplete as they grow, and by six months old, they can't acquire all the iron their bodies require from breastmilk or formula alone. That is why it is critical to begin introducing solids when your infant shows interest in solid foods, which is usually around six months old. If you're breastfeeding, feeding just breast milk until your infant is about 6 months old will help protect them from disease and infection.
Waiting until your baby is roughly 6 months old allows them to develop fully to deal with solid foods, which include purées, cereals, and baby rice mixed with milk.

At 6 months
The most vital food is still breastmilk or baby formula. Breastmilk or formula should be given to your kid before solid foods. Breastmilk, infant formula, or water is the only liquid your child requires between the ages of six and twelve months.

Solid foods to start introducing
Iron-fortified infant cereal or baby rice, blended as directed by your Pediatrician.
Fruit cooked and pureed such as apple, peach, mango, pear, and plum (no seeds, skins, or pips).
Uncooked mashed banana.
Vegetables that have been cooked and pureed with no skins, seeds, or pips, such as potato, carrot, taro, pumpkin, parsnip, or yam.

If your infant refuses a particular food, substitute another item, and try the food they declined again in a few days. A new dish may require up to ten tastes before your baby likes it. Increase the amount and frequency of solid food gradually. Also gradually increase the thickness and lumpiness of the food. Before giving your baby any cooked food, make sure it has completely cooled.
Allergen-containing foods (such as peanuts, hens' eggs, gluten, and seafood) can be introduced at about 6 months of age, one at a time and in little amounts to detect any reaction.

What you shouldn’t include
Food for your newborn should not contain salt, sugar, or butter.
Do not serve coffee, tea, or alcoholic beverages.


At 7 – 8 months
At this age, you should aim for three meals per day. The most vital food is still breastmilk or formula. Milk first, then solid. Your baby will also start to drink water.

Try these foods once your kid has eaten a good variety of foods from last month:
Mashed fruit, softened if necessary before mashing
Vegetables that have been mashed and cooked and come in a range of colours. Remove all stems and stringy bits from leafy green vegetables such as spinach and bok choy.
Cheese, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and custard
Rusks with toast (white or fine wholemeal).
Tempeh and tofu
An egg that has been cooked well and mashed


At 8 – 9 months
Solid foods can be given to your infant before breast or formula feeding. It's also beneficial for your baby to drink water during the day as water keeps your baby hydrated, softens their stool, promotes healthy teeth and gums. Your baby may now be interested in a wide variety of foods and textures.

Try items that have been minced, crushed, grated, or coarsely chopped.
Include raw fruit as finger food, such as oranges, kiwifruit, pineapple, and berry fruit
Include vegetables that are not sweet, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach
Cereals such as oatmeal, wheat biscuits (iron-fortified), or infant muesli
Wait till your infant is one year old before giving them cow's milk.

Apart from encouraging your child to eat a nutritious diet, here are two important ways to keep your child's mouth healthy

Encourage regular brushing and flossing: Teach your child how to brush and floss. You can even make time for you and your child to brush your teeth together, turning the experience into a bonding experience. Brush and floss for your child until they are able to do it on their own. Once they are old enough, discuss the proper technique with your child so that they can practise with you.

Visit your Pediatric dentist regularly: Regular dentist appointments will teach your youngster the value of consistent dental care. Furthermore, the best dentist for kids will be able to professionally clean your child's teeth and spot any cavities early on, which is a vital addition to your child's oral hygiene routine at home.

Make your child's next dentist appointment with the best dentist for kids in Dubai right away!

About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of Pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.