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Starting Solid Foods in Infancy
How do I know my baby is ready for solid foods?
Indications that your baby is ready for solid foods:
- He is between 4 and 6 months of age
- She eagerly watches every bite you take
- He is taking 32 ounces or more of formula each day and does not seem to be satisfied
- She was previously sleeping through the night and has now begun to awaken
- He can hold his head steady when seated with support
How do I begin?
Rice cereal is the first recommended food. Next you can try pureed fruits or vegetables. Other cereals such as barley or
oatmeal can be added after a few weeks on rice cereal. The first foods should be single foods that are not combined with
other foods. Introduce one new food at a time.
In the beginning, meals of solid foods are practice meals. A baby will push out more than they take in. Most of the nutrition
is still acquired from breast milk or formula.
Begin with 1 or 2 meals per day which fit into an easy routine. Find a consistent time when you are not rushed or pressed for time. The morning session may be 1 to 2 hours after finishing the first breast/bottle feeding. The evening time may be the next. The evening meal can be a great time for socializing with the rest of the family. A lunch meal may be added when the baby is finishing both morning and evening meals. To minimize the chance of choking, be sure the baby is sitting up in either an infant seat or your lap.
How much do I feed the baby?
Introduce commercially prepared iron-fortified rice cereal. Begin with 1 to 2 teaspoons mixed with breast milk, formula, or water. Feed using a small spoon with a straight handle. Spoon feed by pushing the food to the back of the tongue because an infant has a tendency to thrust their tongue forward.
Pureed vegetables or fruit can be introduced after cereal. Begin with either a fruit or a vegetable. Begin with 1 or 2 teaspoons and gradually increase to 2 to 3 tablespoons in the morning and evening. Introduce a new vegtable or fruit every 3 to 5 days in order to detect any allergies. When you have finished 1 to 2 small jars, you are ready to move on to try another food. Refrigerate open jars of baby food and do not feed directly from the jar.
Occasionally, some babies have a reaction to a new food. Be on the lookout for the following signs that may suggest the baby cannot tolerate a new food.
- A rash resembling hives
- Vomiting shortly after feeding
- Diarrhea with a few hours of eating
- Passing blood in stools
When can I add other foods?
Meats and poultry can be added around 6 months of age. Egg whites, spinach, corn, wheat, strawberries, nuts, seafood and citrus fruits should be avoided until 12 months of age.
By 7 months, your baby should have tried all cereals, fruits, and vegetables that are commercially prepared for babies. They are generally consuming one-4 ounce jar 3 to 4 times daily. As the quantity of solid foods increases, the amount of formula should be limited to 30 ounces each day.
Can I make my own food?
You can prepare your own foods and store them in ice cube trays for convenient pop-out portions. The following are recommendations for home preparation:
- Use organically grown foods or foods with a protective peel
- Wash all preparation materials in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher
- Steam raw vegetables and meats in a microwave or pressure cooker
- Very ripe bananas can be mashed
- Avoid home preparing beets, turnips, carrots, and collard greens; these foods contain too many nitrates
- Avoid fruits and vegetables in cans not specifically marked or designed for infants because of their variable and sometimes high lead content and the addition of salt, sugar, and/or preservatives
When can I begin finger foods?
Once your baby is sitting up unsupported, you can begin to introduce soft finger foods such as cooked green beans, potatoes cut into very small chunks, chopped ripe banana, dry unsweetened cereal, and cracker bits.
When your baby is 7 or 8 months of age, has 2 to 4 teeth, and is reaching for food, you can begin more solid foods.
Add chunkier baby food (like stage 3 foods). You can also try a toddler biscuit or a piece of zwieback toast.
The risk of choking increases with the introduction of finger foods. Be sure the food is cut up into 1/2 inch cubes and always supervise your infant carefully. If you have not already completed a CPR or child safety course, now is a good time.
Never give raw vegetables, popcorn, large piece of apple, raisins, whole grapes, hot dogs (even cut into coin slices), nuts or hard candy to a child under the age of 3.
Favorite finger foods:
- Cereals: O cereals such as Cheerios, puffed wheat or puffed rice
- Rice cakes, cubes of whole wheat bread
- Well-cooked pasta or potato
- Soft cheese, cut into small pieces
- Scrambled egg yolks
- Ripe banana, melon, pear or peach
- Soft meatballs cut into small bites
High Calorie Food Ideas for Toddlers
What do I feed my older baby?
At 10 to 12 months of age, chopped table foods, well-cooked vegetables, cottage cheese or other soft or lumpy foods may be introduced. At this point, babies are usually eating 3 meals daily with one snack.
By a year of age, most babies eat small, tender table foods. Whole milk can be introduced then providing 16 to 20 ounces per day.
Remember to continue to make mealtimes an enjoyable experience for all involved.
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Call 978-475-4522
