Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby - Solid Food Charts For Babies

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Introducing Solid Foods to your baby is a big milestone. We have compiled pages of useful information and solid food charts for you to review. We hope that this information will help ease your mind and also ease the transition to solid foods for your baby.

 

Current Recommendations for Introducing Solid Foods

Current recommendations indicate that breast milk or formula should be baby’s main source of nutrition until at least 6 months of age.  Earlier introduction of solid foods may have certain risk factors; consult your pediatrician.  "Introduction of complementary feedings before 6 months of age generally does not increase total caloric intake or rate of growth and only substitutes foods that lack needed nutrients and the protective components of human milk (and formula).
AAP Policy Note - 194"

 

"Many pediatricians recommend against giving eggs and fish in the first year of life because of allergic reactions, but there is no evidence that introducing these nutrient-dense foods after 4 to 6 months of age determines whether your baby will be allergic to them." view report

 

Give your baby one new food at a time, and wait at least 2 to 3 days before starting another. After each new food, watch for any allergic reactions such as diarrhea, rash, or vomiting. If any of these occur, stop using the new food and consult with your child’s doctor.

 

Within a few months of starting solid foods, your baby’s daily diet should include a variety of foods each day that may include the following:

Breast milk and/or formula

Meats

Cereal

Vegetables

Fruits

Eggs and fish

Source: 09/2008 - Starting Solid Foods (Copyright © 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics)

 

Remember, the World Health Organisation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Health Canada, Health Insite - Australia and the Department of Public Health (U.K.) as well as the CDC all recommend that babies receive nothing but breast milk and/or formula for the first 6 months of age.

 

What does the WHO say?

"Complementary feeding should be timely, meaning that all infants should start receiving foods in addition to breast milk from 6 months onwards. It should be adequate, meaning that the nutritional value of complementary foods should parallel at least that of breast milk. Foods should be prepared and given in a safe manner, meaning that measures are taken to minimize the risk of contamination with pathogens. And they should be given in a way that is appropriate, meaning that foods are of appropriate texture and given in sufficient quantity." WHO Complementary Feeding

 

Further, the "WHO recommends that infants start receiving complementary foods at 6 months of age in addition to breast milk, initially 2-3 times a day between 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily between 9-11 months and 12-24 months with additional nutritious snacks offered 1-2 times per day, as desired." 

 

You should always consult your baby’s pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby.  Avoid any suggested foods that may pose an allergy risk for your baby. Remember that ANY food has the potential to be an allergen. Learn more about Allergies and Baby Food.

Solid Foods for Baby

Useful articles and charts to help you with the fun and folly of introducing baby to solid foods.

 

 

MORE HOMEMADE BABY FOOD RECIPES & RECIPE TOPICS

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