Feeding a healthy baby
Birth to Four 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.
Four to Six 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 is less likely to push food out with their tongue.
- They still seem hungry after eight 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. Consult your physician if using other fluoridated products, and consult your dental professional for appropriate oral hygiene practices.
Six to Eight 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 banana, 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.
Eight 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. Consult your physician if using other fluoridated products, and consult your dental professional for appropriate oral hygiene practices.
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. Consult your physician if using other fluoridated products, and consult your dental professional for appropriate oral hygiene practices.
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. Consult your physician if using other fluoridated products, and consult your dental professional for appropriate oral hygiene practices.
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 Consult your physician if using other fluoridated products, and consult your dental professional for appropriate oral hygiene practices.
45 "AgebyAge Guide to Feeding Your Baby and Toddler," www.babycenter.com
The information on this Web site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding you or your child's health.
