Introducing Baby To Solids
| Foods | Birth - 6 Months | 6-9 Months | 9-12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Milk | Nurse on demand | Nurse on demand | Nurse on demand |
| Iron Fortified Formula | Bottle on demand | Bottle on demand (4-5 per 24h) | Bottle on demand (3-4 per 24h) |
| Vegetables | None | Pureed cooked vegetables - offer individually at first. Orange, green & yellow. Fresh, frozen or homemade. 4-6 tbsp. per day | Mashed or diced 6-10 tbsp. per day. |
| Fruits | None | Pureed cooked fruits - offered individually at first –Fresh, frozen or homemade. Certain raw varieties may be offered mashed by 7-8 months. 6-7 tbsp. per day | Soft fresh fruits peeled or diced, and steamed, mashed, harder fruits. 7-10 tbsp. per day. |
| Infant Cereal* | None | After veggies, fruits, or meats, offer 2-3 tsp per serving. Progress to 2-4 tbsp twice daily. Gluten free recommended: brown rice, quinoa, millet, amaranth. | 8-10 tbsp. per day. Add oatmeal and barley. |
| Meat & Alternatives | None | Pureed cooked lean dark chicken, turkey or beef, small beans, lentils, egg yolk. 2-3 tbsp. per day (approx. 6-8 months) | Offer minced or diced cooked lean meats, beans, egg yolk, tofu or fish. 3-4 tbsp. per day. |
| Milk/Dairy Products | None | Plain full-fat yogurt - goat or sheep preferred (with live or active cultures). 2-3 tbsp per day if tolerated (8-9 months or older). | Cottage cheese, hard cheeses - goat and sheep's cheese preferred 2-4 tbsp per day if tolerated. |
| www.healthysprouts.ca |
PLEASE SEE THE LINKS BELOW.
*Until recently, iron-fortified infant cereal was routinely advised as the first food for infants. Unless specifically recommended, start your baby on vegetables, fruits, or meats/alternative proteins (which are naturally high in iron), then add infant cereals or homemeade baby cereal. Add iron-rich fruits or veggies to homemade cereals to increase iron content. For nutrition and recipe information, please contact us at info@healthysprouts.ca
**FOODS TO AVOID:
Baby Foods with added sugar, starches, salt, colour, flavour, preservatives (ex. sulphites), or corn syrup. Foods containing pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics (non-organic foods)
Egg Whites, Strawberries, Raspberries, Kiwi and Citrus fruits, honey, tree nuts, sesame seeds, wheat, soy (until at least age 1. Tree nuts may have to be avoided longer). Avoid soy if sensitive; in general - fermented soy products would be preferred.
Popcorn, Hard candy, Marshmellows, Hot Dogs, thick pieces of raw vegetables & Whole Grapes (until age 1)
Shellfish, pork, and corn (until age 2)
Peanuts (until age 3 or higher)
**These guidelines are recommendations only - please see your physician before introducing solids to your child. When introducing solids, do not blend food varieties. Offer 1 at a time for 3 days to determine potential food allergies. Always supervise children during meal times.
