The Basics of Introducing Solid Foods

When?

About six months old. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended prior to six months. An iron-fortified, infant formula feeding is considered the only adequate substitute to breastfeeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

How?

Go slowly! There is no need to rush. Use the "One at a time" method for introducing new foods. This method helps detect allergies and eases digestion. Introduce only one new food at a time, and make sure that is the only new food for three to five days. If an allergic reaction occurs, report it to your baby's healthcare provider and remove the food immediately from the baby's diet.

How much?

Start out with just a few spoonfuls at each meal and learn to take cues from your baby. Breastmilk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition to 12 months, so quantity is not as important as variety.

How often?

Four to six mini meals per day are recommended, because of small tummies and fluctuating appetites. At each mini-meal, offer small amounts (2 Tbsp/1 ounce) of two to three different kinds of foods.

What?

Baby's first foods include vitamin-fortified cereal that is thinned with breastmilk or formula, and smooth purees of acorn and butternut squash, peas, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas and pears. After the first foods, you can slowly introduce new foods. Here is a list of first foods to introduce by age:

Age

6-8 months

8 -10 months

10 - 12 months

Over 12 months

PRIMARY NUTRTION SOURCE

Breastmilk or iron-fortified formula

Variety of healthy foods

    

GRAINS

Vitamin-fortified cereal - rice, barley, oat

Vitamin-fortified cereal - mixed, Graham crackers, Low salt crackers, "O" shaped cereal

Egg-free pasta, Rice

Bread, egg noodles, pasta made with eggs, whole grain crackers

VEGGIES

Pumpkin, Yellow Squash, Zucchini

Asparagus, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Snow Peas, Spinach, Sugar snap peas, White potato

Artichokes, Beets, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant

Lettuce, Collard greens, Swiss chard

FRUITS

Apricots, Avocado, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums

Grapes (cut in 1/4's), Mango, Papaya

Cherries, Dates, Cantaloupe, Coconut milk, Melons, Pineapple, Prunes

Berries, Citrus fruits, Kiwi, Tomatoes

PROTEINS

Chicken, Tofu, Turkey

Beans - pinto, black, white, navy, Lean beef

Lamb, Liver, Egg yolks (fully cooked)

Egg whites, Fish, Nuts - almonds, pecans, walnuts, Seeds - flax, sesame, sunflower

DAIRY

None

None

None

Milk, Plain yogurt, soft and semi hard cheeses
3.333335
Average: 3.3 (3 votes)
 

2 comments

Most recent See All

By ChesterGirl on 08/02/10 at 3:33 pm

I cant get my son (who is 6 months old) to take solids at all . He seems to be way to happy with the breast . When he dose start eating tho , I will kee  ...

By rainbows07 on 08/31/09 at 11:42 am

I love the idea of the ice cube trays!

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