Health Topics

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)

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