Introduction to Solid Foods
Explanation
The introduction of solid foods usually occurs between 4-6 months of age. Check with your baby's pediatrician for his recommendation on when to introduce solid foods to your baby's diet. Starting solids too early may cause allergies or an overweight baby. The following tips can be used when starting solid foods.
General Guide
Introduce one new food at a time. Give for 3-4 days before introducing another one. In the beginning, use jars of one kind of fruit or vegetable rather than mixed fruits / vegetables.
Cereals (4-6 months)
- Use the dry form of cereal from the box rather than from the jar.
- Use single cereals rather than mixed cereals.
- Begin using rice cereal (rather than barley, oatmeal, or corn cereals). Start by using two teaspoonfuls twice a day and slowly increase the quantity up to a maximum of 12 teaspoonfuls.
- Feed cereal only from a spoon. Never mix cereal in baby's bottle.
Vegetables (4-6 months) Introduce before fruits
- Feed vegetables only from a spoon. Never mix vegetables in baby's bottle. Use of an infant "feeder" is not recommended because baby won't develop proper feeding skills.
- Introduce vegetables about 2-3 weeks after starting cereals.
- Introduce only one vegetable at a time (again using single vegetable servings before mixed vegetables).
- Suggested vegetables to begin with are squash, sweet potato, green beans, or carrots.
Fruits (4-6 months)
- Feed fruits only from a spoon. Never mix fruits in baby's bottle. Use of an infant "feeder" is not recommended because baby won't develop proper feeding skills.
- About 2-3 weeks after your baby has started vegetables, a single fruit may be added. Start with pears, applesauce, bananas, or peaches.
Meats (8-9 months)
- A meat and vegetable mix may be used instead of a single vegetable.
- Begin with chicken or turkey and vegetable, then add other kinds.
- Do not use dinners. They contain very little meat and much starch.
Egg Yolks (8-9 months)
- Egg yolks are only introduced after 6 months of age. The white of the egg is more apt to cause an allergic reaction, so do not start it until after your child's first birthday.
Table Foods (8-12 months)
- Table foods have no nutritional advantage over baby foods.
- Table foods should be given while the child is sitting at the table with the family.
- If table food is started too early, the child may not be able to chew it well and might choke.
- Offer soft bland foods at first. Good choices are mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, soft vegetables.
- Cut or mash foods into bite sized pieces appropriate for child's age.
- Things to avoid because of choking risk are
- Peanuts or nuts
- Popcorn
- Whole grapes
- Hot dogs
Contact Us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Last reviewed 1/06
