Feeding a Healthy Baby

Birth to 4 Months

During your baby's first few months, his/her digestive tract is still developing. All he/she needs and wants right now is breast milk or formula.⁴⁵

4 to 6 Months

After a steady diet of breast milk or formula, your baby may be ready to start trying some solid foods. These signs may help you know when it's time:

They can hold their head up.
They sit up well in the highchair.
They make chewing motions.
Their birth weight has doubled.
They show an interest in food.
They can close their mouths around a spoon.
They can move food from the front to the back of their mouth.
They can move their tongue back and forth, and are less likely to push food out with their tongue.
They still seem hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breast milk or 40 ounces of formula in a day.
They're teething.

To introduce solid foods, give him/her breast milk or formula plus a teaspoon of dry iron-fortified rice cereal mixed with four or five teaspoons of breast milk or formula. You can add other grain cereals like oats or barley later. Gradually increase to one-tablespoon dry cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day. If he/she doesn't want the cereal at first, try again in a few days.⁴⁵

6 to 8 Months

Continue with breast milk or formula, and add three to nine tablespoons of iron-fortified cereals in two to three feedings. After a few days, add one teaspoon of pureed or strained fruits such as bananas, pears, applesauce and peaches, and gradually increase to one-quarter to one-half cup over two to three feedings.

Next, try a teaspoon of pureed or strained vegetables like avocado, well-cooked carrots, squash or sweet potato. Gradually increase the serving size to one-quarter to one-half cup over two to three feedings.

Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.⁴⁵

8 to 10 Months

By now, your baby may be ready for more solid foods as well as finger foods. Here's a typical menu for this age group:

Breast milk or formula
One-quarter to one-half cup iron-fortified cereals
One-quarter to one-half cup mashed fruits and vegetables
One-quarter to one-third cup of yogurt or cottage cheese (avoid cow's milk until age one) or one-half ounce of soft pasteurized cheese
Finger foods such as lightly toasted bagels pieces, small pieces of ripe banana, well-cooked spiral pasta, teething crackers and low-sugar O-shaped cereal
One-eighth to one-quarter cup protein-rich foods like egg yolks, pureed meats and poultry, tofu, well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos and black beans
Three to four ounces of non-citrus juice such as apple or pear

Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.⁴⁵

10 to 12 Months

Once baby has adjusted to the foods you've introduced so far, it may be time for more variety. If he/she's swallowing more easily, has more teeth, doesn't push food out with her tongue and is trying to use a spoon, you can give her these foods:

Breast milk or formula
One-quarter to one-half cup iron-fortified cereals
One-third cup of yogurt or cottage cheese (avoid cow's milk until age one) or one-half ounce of soft pasteurized cheese
One-quarter to one-half cup fruit, cut into cubes or strips or mashed
One-quarter to one-half cup bite-sized, soft-cooked vegetables like peas and carrots
One-eighth to one-quarter cup combo foods such as macaroni and cheese and casseroles
One-eighth to one-quarter cup protein-rich foods like egg yolk, pureed or finely ground meats and poultry, tofu and well-cooked and mashed beans
Finger foods such as lightly toasted bagel pieces, small pieces of ripe banana, well-cooked spiral pasta, teething crackers and low-sugar O-shaped cereal
Three to four ounces of non-citrus juice such as apple or pear

Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.⁴⁵

12 to 18 Months

By now, your baby may be able to start feeding themself. It could take a while for him/her to master it, but practice makes perfect. Their diet can consist of foods like these:

Two to three servings of whole milk and other dairy including soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt and cottage cheese
Four to six servings of cereals and other grains such as whole wheat bread, pasta and rice
The same food the family eats, mashed or chopped into bite-sized pieces
One-fourth to one-half cup of new fruits such as melon, papaya, apricot and grapefruit
One-fourth to one-half cup of new vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower
Two servings of protein such as eggs; cut-up or ground meat, poultry or boneless fish; tofu; beans and thinly spread smooth peanut butter
Three to four ounces of citrus and non-citrus juices

Honey is also okay. Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your child's not allergic.⁴⁵

18 to 24 Months

Your little one is now feeding themself and using phrases like, "more" and "all done." At this stage, his/her diet can consist of:

Two to three servings of whole milk and other dairy including soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt and cottage cheese
Six servings of cereals and other grains like whole wheat bread and crackers, cut-up bagels, pretzels, rice cakes, ready-to-eat cereals, pasta and rice
The same food as the family, mashed or chopped into bite-size pieces
Two to three servings of cut-up or sliced fruit (cooked, canned or fresh) such as apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries, pears, cherries, grapes, plums, oranges and grapefruit
Two to three servings of vegetables like cooked and mashed or diced carrots, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, yams, potatoes and peas
Two servings of protein such as eggs; cut-up or ground meat, poultry or boneless fish; tofu; beans and thinly spread smooth peanut butter
Dried fruit like apples, apricots, peaches, pears, dates, pitted prunes and raisins, soaked until they're soft so they won't pose a choking hazard
Combo foods like macaroni and cheese and casseroles
Fruit and vegetable juices

Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your child's not allergic.⁴⁵