![](media/image1.png){width="0.6833333333333333in"
height="0.8069444444444445in"} Infant Feeding: When Do I Start and What
Should I Feed My Baby??

Most infants are ready to start trying their first solid foods after 4
months of age. It is not a good idea to begin before 4 months because of
baby's difficulty swallowing and possible problems with digestion.

**[Signs that your baby may be ready to try solids:]{.underline}**

-   Crying or continuing to suck hard after emptying your breast or a
    bottle.

-   Your baby may be showing signs of hunger more often than every two
    hours

-   A bottle fed baby may be taking more than 36-40 ounces of milk in a
    day

-   Your baby is closely watching you eat, reaching for food or opening
    his mouth

**[When you are ready to start, keep these things in
mind:]{.underline}**

-   If you are breastfeeding and want to continue, breastfeed your baby
    **before** feeding him/her solid foods. This will help keep your
    milk supply up.

-   If you bottle-feed your baby, give your baby solids **first.** This
    will teach your baby that solid foods can take away his hunger!!

![](media/image2.png){width="0.6826388888888889in"
height="0.6416666666666667in"} **[Foods to avoid, until baby reaches one
year of age:]{.underline}**

Fresh cow's milk Strawberries

Egg whites Citrus Fruits

Chocolate Nuts

Honey

Choking hazards: pieces of hot dogs, nuts, whole grapes, popcorn

# First Foods: You may have to offer a new food 10-15 times before your baby accepts it!

**[4-6 months]{.underline}**

Fortified Baby Cereals: Rice, Oatmeal and Barley. Rice is the best first
choice because it is the easiest to digest. Mix 2 tablespoons with at
least one ounce of breast milk or formula (by 6 months, you can mix with
apple, white grape or pear juice). Offer 2-3 times per day.

Fruits: Apple, Pear or Prune purees (completely mashed or blended)

**[6-7 months: You can now add]{.underline}**

Fruits: Blueberries, plums, peaches, kiwi, banana (puree in jar or
mashed)

Vegetables: Purees of peas, potatoes, broccoli, yams, carrots

Fruit Juices: apple, pear, white grape or cherry. Limit to 3-4 ounces
per day.

Introduce Sippy-cup

![](media/image3.png){width="0.5041666666666667in"
height="0.6013888888888889in"}**[8 months: You can now
add]{.underline}**

Finger foods and soft, lumpy "table foods"

Plain unsweetened breakfast cereals such as oatmeal, Cream of Wheat,
Cheerios, Rice Krispies

Crackers, Rice and Noodles

Bread and Bagels

Fruits: Thin strips of all cooked fruits and soft raw fruits such as
pineapple or mango

Vegetables: Pieces of well-cooked string beans, squash, zucchini,
broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, potatoes or ripe avocado

Meats: Pureed beef or chicken and hard-boiled egg yolk but not egg
whites

**[9-12 months: You may now add:]{.underline}**

Fruits: Add thin strips of harder raw fruits such as apple

Vegetables: Small strips of softer raw vegetables such as green and red
peppers, cucumbers and lettuce

Meats: Small pieces of well-cooked meat and entrees.

Other proteins: Beans and soy products, yogurt and cheese (But continue
to avoid fresh cow's milk until 12 months of age).

**Try to stop the bottle by twelve months. This is also a good time to
begin regular teeth cleaning with a washcloth or a soft toothbrush.**

Remember that as you add more solid food, your baby will need less
breast-milk or formula.

**Age Nursing Times Formula Solid Foods**

6 months 50 min- 2 ½ hrs per day 28-38 oz 0-100 calories

9 months 40 min-2 hrs per day 24-34 oz 200-300 calories

12 months 10 min- 1 ½ hrs per day 20-30 oz 300-500 calories

**If you have questions, please call the PEDIATRIC CLINIC at (928)
283-2679.**

![](media/image4.png){width="1.1833333333333333in"
height="0.6715277777777777in"} ***TCRHCC 7/05***