INTRODUCING SOLID FOOD TO YOUR BABY

Solid foods may be added to your baby’s diet between 4-6 months.

Solid foods should be added one at a time to monitor the baby’s reactions. One new food item should be given for 4-6 days before introducing another food.

Portion sizes should begin at less than a teaspoon and increased to a tablespoon or two.

Solid foods have different consistencies and tastes.  Do not force your baby to eat all solid foods.  If your baby does not like food item, try it again a few weeks later.

Where to begin?

Cereals  first (4-6 months)

Add formula or breast milk, starting with rice cereal then oats, barley, and wheat.

Never add sugar or salt.

Fruits  follow (5-6 months)

Offer juices to your baby preferably in a cup.  Apple, prune or grape juices are generally tolerated well. Orange juice should not be given before your baby is nine months old.  Solid fruits may be added such as applesauce, pears, peaches or bananas.
Never add sugar to baby’s fruit, it is already naturally sweet.

Vegetables  next (6-8 months)

Begin with strained carrots, squash, peas, then beans. Later add greens.  No seasoning is needed.

Protein  last  (7-9 months)

Plain, strained lamb, beef, veal, chicken or liver may be given. No combination dinners. Egg yolk, soft or hard boiled should not be given until after 9 months old, egg white after one 1 year old. No seasoning should be added. 

No honey or fresh uncooked garden vegetables for the first year.

No corn until after the ninth month.

No pineapple: it can irritate the gut until 1 year of age.