Your Baby Ready for Solid Food !
How do you know if your baby is ready for solid foods? There are many signs to look for that will indicate that your little one may be ready to begin the journey into solid foods. Your baby may be 3 months old or 4 months old when you start to feel she may need "something more" than formula or breast milk.
Maybe she is beginning to awaken more often at night or eat more often than "usual" and you wonder if introducing solid foods may be what she needs.Please keep in mind that a growth spurt will occur between 3-4 months of age. Your baby may begin to wake more frequently at night for a feeding and/or may being to eat non-stop (cluster feed) as she once did as a newborn.
Solid Food Charts for babies age 4 - 6 months
Introducing solid foods to your little one is a huge milestone that lays the foundation for healthy eating habits.
This is one stage that I know can be a very nerve wracking and scary for many parents. One of the most important things to remember is that there is no gold standard "right way" of starting baby on solid foods. I have compiled solid food charts to help you have an idea of what foods are safe, healthy and nutritious for your baby as you both begin the journey into solid foods. Remember, many pediatricians are recommending that babies start solids at 6 months of age
The AAP recommends that an infant not be started on solid foods until after 6 months of age. Many pediatricians still start babies on solids around 4 months of age. This chart accommodates all ages and stages up to 12 months.
CEREALS
Rice and Oatmeal cereals are the least of the allergenic grains and thus most babies are started out with those cereals. You don't HAVE to start with cereal - try avocado instead or banana.
FRUITS
May be served raw after 8 months old or earlier if the fruits are soft and baby does not have digestion troubles – bananas and avocados do NOT need to be cooked ever.
VEGGIES
Always serve cooked until after 12 months old or when baby can chew well enough so that no choking hazard is present.
PROTEIN
Always serve cooked with no pink areas – NEVER give a small baby/child raw meat or fish
DAIRY
NEVER replace breast milk or formula until after 12 months of age – serious health risks are possible. Never give a child under the age of 2yrs old low fat or skim milk products; whole milk is necessary.
6 To 9 Month Baby Foods
It's time to get creative! Your 6 to 9 month baby will be eager to try new foods now, and may even start to chew. Learn how to create meals that will please his tiny palate!Which foods should I introduce to my 6 to 9 month baby?
There are no hard and fast rules here. All babies are different, with their own unique likes and dislikes. Just like you and me!The information and recipes in this section are meant as a guide - if your baby doesn't seem to want to try all of these foods just yet, then don't worry. Give it a week or two, then try again. His tastebuds are developing all the time - the meal he adamantly refuses today may be his absolute favourite food next week!
NOTE:When introducing any new foods to your 6 to 9 month baby, remember to apply the four day rule. And ALWAYS check with your doctor before giving any new foods to your baby.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables
Once your baby is enjoying pureed fruits and vegetables, (see baby's first foods recipes), it's time to take a look at this A to Z of interesting recipes and guidelines for your 6 to 9 month baby, that incorporate a few new flavours and textures ...
| Apple | Cauliflower | Peach |
| Apricot | Cherry | Pear |
| Asparagus | Chickpeas | Peas |
| Avocado | Eggplant/aubergine | Pineapple |
| Banana | Fruits (mixed) | Plum |
| Beets (beetroot) | Grapes | Potato |
| Bell peppers | Green Beans | Sweet potato |
| Black beans | Kiwi | Tomato |
| Blueberry | Mango | Turnips |
| Broccoli | Melon | Vegetables (mixed) |
| Butternut squash | Papaya | Zucchini |
| Carrot | Parsnip |
Peeling fruits and vegetables...
You may have been told that you should peel fruits and veggies for baby food - but is it always necessary? Find out more about the pros and cons of peeling produce for your baby, plus tips for minimizing the risk to your baby from pesticide residues.cook or not to cook...
Most baby food recipes suggest cooking fruits and vegetables - but is it OK to give them to your baby raw?Meats
Meat is a good source of protein, but at this stage most babies get protein from their milk. The main benefit of introducing meat is for the extra iron that it provides. This is because babies' stores of iron may begin to deplete between 6-9 months of age. Iron is an essential part of the blood stream, carrying oxygen to tissues to provide the energy needed for growth.
High in protein, potassium and vitamins, fish is the perfect "health food" for babies. It also contains Omega 3 fatty acids, which lower cholesterol and prevent high blood pressure. (Of course, you don't need to be worrying about that just yet. But remember, the healthy eating habits you establish now will last a lifetime!)
Try thesefish recipes when your baby is around 7 months old - or how about increasing the quantities and cooking these healthy dishes for the whole family?
Eggs
It is usually safe to introduce mashed egg yolks to your 6 to 9 month baby, but you should discuss the introduction of whole eggs with your child's doctor. This is because egg whites are highly allergenic - see ouregg allergy information page for more information.
Mashed egg yolk actually makes a great thickener for over-runny purees. And there is some evidence that eating egg yolks contributes to the development of your baby's brain. So add a little to your baby's meals here and there for an extra, nutritional boost!
These are foods such as beans, peas and lentils - they are high in protein, vitamins and minerals and a great addition to baby's diet. But beware! We are all familiar with the discomfort from wind, a common effect caused by foods such as these. Take care not to overfeed your baby from this food group!
9 to 12 months
At nine months old, your baby is not quite ready to eat everything you can eat. But that doesn't mean she can't join in with your meals, as long as you take her needs into account.
When baby join in with family meals
Up to nine months, the goal has been to get your baby used to the idea of solid foods.
Now your baby can be more adventurous with her meals, and she may love to try new flavours. But there are still some foods she should not have in her first year:
- Honey: this can contain a bacteria that could damage your baby's intestines, leading to a rare syndrome called infant botulism. Honey is also a type of sugar, which can damage her emerging teeth.
- Some types of fish: shark, swordfish or marlin may contain traces of mercury. Mercury can affect the baby's growing nervous system. Also, don't give your baby raw shellfish, to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
- Uncooked or lightly cooked eggs: make sure that eggs are cooked through until both the white and yolk are solid.
- Low-fat, low-calorie and high-fibre food: these are not suitable for your baby. She needs high-energy foods.
- Whole nuts: don't give whole nuts to your child until she is five, because they could cause chokingHowever, nuts are a wonderful source of protein, so consider feeding your baby nuts which have been finely ground.
It is also important to keep the following to a minimum:
- Salt: don't add salt to your baby's food, because her kidneys can't cope with it. Limit the amount of salty foods that your baby eats; such as cheese, sausages and bacon. Check food labels. Babies should have less than 1g of salt (0.4g of sodium) a day.
- Sugar: sugary foods and drinks are bad for your baby's teeth and can encourage her to acquire a sweet tooth. Only add a little sugar to your baby's food if you really need to; for example, to stewed sour fruits, such as plums. Don't give your baby sugary custards, ice creams, biscuits or sweets.
It may seem like there are many foods which are off limits for your baby, but there are still plenty of meals you can prepare that your baby can share with you. See our article on family recipes. She'll love having the same as you. She's getting better at feeding herself all the time, too.
At nine months, she's probably trying to feed herself with a spoon, though perhaps without much success. By the end of 10 months, however, she may get the spoon into her mouth some of the time! Help and encourage her by letting her hold onto the spoon as you feed her. Give her plenty of finger foods as well, so that she can feed herself.
When can my baby try new textures
Now is the time to start introducing minced or chopped foods to your baby's diet. Your baby should be eating three meals a day as well as milk, with healthy snacks such as fruit in between meals.
By the time she reaches her first birthday, solid food will make up a big part of what she needs. You may find that your baby has dropped a milk feed or two. It's easier for her to swallow food and she has more teeth.
She may find it soothing to gnaw on harder finger foods.Be careful to make sure you choose something that dissolves after gumming because of the risk of choking.
Your baby won't have molars to chew food properly until she's between 18 months and 24 months old. Even so, her gums will be surprisingly efficient at grinding foods to a pulp!.
Be extra careful with small round foods such as grapes, cherries, lychees, and berries. It's better to wait a bit longer before giving them to your baby. However, if you want to offer these to your baby, cut the fruits into half, remove the pits, deseed, then chop into bite-size pieces. Stay close by to keep an eye on your baby while she finishes her meal.
You can offer your baby a variety of foods with different textures. Here are some healthy options you may like to try:
By the time she reaches her first birthday, solid food will make up a big part of what she needs. You may find that your baby has dropped a milk feed or two. It's easier for her to swallow food and she has more teeth.
She may find it soothing to gnaw on harder finger foods.Be careful to make sure you choose something that dissolves after gumming because of the risk of choking.
Your baby won't have molars to chew food properly until she's between 18 months and 24 months old. Even so, her gums will be surprisingly efficient at grinding foods to a pulp!.
Be extra careful with small round foods such as grapes, cherries, lychees, and berries. It's better to wait a bit longer before giving them to your baby. However, if you want to offer these to your baby, cut the fruits into half, remove the pits, deseed, then chop into bite-size pieces. Stay close by to keep an eye on your baby while she finishes her meal.
You can offer your baby a variety of foods with different textures. Here are some healthy options you may like to try:
- hard-baked crusts of bread
- peeled slices of fruits such as apple, pears, musk melon, water melon and mango
- cooked vegetables such as carrot, cauliflower, spinach, bottle gourd (lauki), apple gourd (tinda), broccoli, and pumpkin
- grilled or baked sweet potatoes (shakarkandi or chakaraivalli kilangu)
- yam(jimikand or senai kilangu)
- idlis or upma with added vegetables
- mixed vegetable uthapams
- paranthas with a variety of fillings such as cauliflower, potatoes, fenugreek (methi) leaves, cottage cheese (paneer), minced soya and boiled/minced chicken or mutton
- chapatis made from flour mixed with cooked dal
- creamy milkshakes and soups
- rice with dal or curd
What should I give my baby to drink
In the summer months, most mothers worry about how they can increase their baby's fluid intake. Formula or breastmilk is still an important part of your baby's diet. If she's formula-fed, she'll need between 500 ml (16.6 fl oz) and 600 ml (20 fl oz) a day.
If you feel your baby needs more fluids you could give her cooled, boiled water. You could also try healthy drinks such as fruit and vegetable juices as well as smoothies and milkshakes. A total of 120 ml (4 fl oz) would be plenty.
It is not a good idea to give your baby any fizzy drinks or artificial juices. These may contain harmful food colourings and additives and the added sugar might cause tooth decay.
If you feel your baby needs more fluids you could give her cooled, boiled water. You could also try healthy drinks such as fruit and vegetable juices as well as smoothies and milkshakes. A total of 120 ml (4 fl oz) would be plenty.
It is not a good idea to give your baby any fizzy drinks or artificial juices. These may contain harmful food colourings and additives and the added sugar might cause tooth decay.
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