During your baby's first year of life, his nutritional needs will change and increase almost daily. For the first four to six months of your baby's life, he will be following an all-liquid diet. However, once your baby can hold his head upright and sit while supported, his daily menu will expand rapidly. And as your baby learns and grows, he will begin to try new foods every week, including those he can feed himself.
Birth to 4 Months
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that during the first four months of your baby's life, he receives only breast milk or formula. During this time, a baby's digestive system is still developing, so no solid foods should be given. Offer either breast milk or formula on demand. Allow an infant to breastfeed as long as he wants, usually about 20 minutes. He may suck continuously, then rest before starting again.
Four to 6 months
During this time, your baby will still receive most of his calories and nutrients from formula and breast milk. However, doctors at Nemours Children's Hospital recommend that you should not feed 6-month-olds more than about 40 oz. of formula. This is because too much formula may fill him, preventing him from getting necessary nutrients from other sources. Start by offering grain cereals such as rice, barley and oatmeal. To start, give 1 teaspoon of dry rice cereal mixed with 4 to 5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula. Gradually thicken the consistency (use less liquid) and increase to 1 tablespoon of dry cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day.
Six to 8 months
Once your baby has gotten the hang of eating from a spoon, the AAPA says you can introduce fruits and vegetables. Continue feeding formula or breast milk and cereal, and gradually add pears, applesauce, peaches and bananas, as well as avocados, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash to baby's diet. Nutritionists suggest that you wait three days in between introducing new foods in order to detect any allergies. Expect your baby to eat 3 to 9 tablespoons of cereal in two to three feedings, a teaspoon of fruit and a teaspoon of vegetables daily, gradually increasing in amount and frequency.
Eight to 10 months
Once your baby can pick up small objects between his thumb and forefinger, he is ready to start feeding himself solid foods. Continue with all the foods already introduced, and begin offering finger foods. According to Martha Archuleta, a food and nutrition specialist at New Mexico University, good first finger foods include O-shaped cereals, small pieces of banana or cut-up, lightly toasted bagels or toast. Non-citrus juices, like apple or pear, may be given in small amounts.
Ten to 12 months
As your baby nears his first birthday, he will probably have several teeth and will enjoy small pieces of cut-up fruit and vegetables, bites of chicken or beef and teething biscuits. Archuletta suggests that once you have ruled out allergies to single foods, you can begin offering combinations of foods, such as macaroni and cheese and casseroles.
Foods to Avoid
The AAPA suggests that some foods should not be given at all during baby's first year. Do not give eggs, particularly egg whites, cow's milk, citrus fruits and juices, or honey until after a baby's first birthday. Seafood and nuts are also considered allergenic for infants, and shouldn't be given until after the child is 2 or 3 years old, particularly if there is a family history of food allergies. Also avoid food that has a lot of sugar or is heavily salted. Baby's kidneys are not mature enough to handle too much salt, and sugary foods give too many empty calories.
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