Winston Churchill once said, "There is no finer investment for any community than putting milk into babies." Babies start out in life getting their nutrition from their mothers' breast milk or infant formula. By the end of the first year, they have a varied diet and are able to participate in meals with the family. During that year, it is important to know what foods your baby can eat and how to minimize or avoid problems such as choking, food allergies or food-borne illnesses.
Breast Milk and Formula
A mother's breast milk provides her baby with the nutrition he needs, as well as much-needed antibodies. If breastfeeding is not an option, use an iron-fortified baby formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding your baby nothing but breast milk or formula for the first four to six months. Although you may introduce solid foods to your baby's diet at six months, make sure that the breast milk or formula continues as the baby's major nutrition source for the first year.
Cereals and Grains
Babies are ready for iron-fortified infant cereal at roughly 6 months of age, or when they begin to nurse more than eight times or drink 32 ounces or more of breast milk or formula per day. The Ohio State University recommends starting with rice cereal, as it is the gentlest for baby's stomach. Mix 1 tablespoon of the cereal with 3 to 4 tablespoons of breast milk or formula to achieve a very thin consistency. Once the baby is able to tolerate the rice cereal and has no reaction from it, move on to oatmeal or barley cereal. Between 7 and 9 months of age, your baby should be ready to add other wheat and mixed-grain products to her diet. Start with other infant cereals and move on to foods like bread, toast or unsalted crackers. By 9 months, your baby should be ready for whole-grain pasta.
Fruits and Vegetables
By 7 to 8 months old, babies are ready to try their first fruits and vegetables. Use store-bought jars of baby food, or make your own by pureeing or straining fresh fruits and vegetables. Let the taste of the foods stand on their own, and do not add any salt or sugar. By the time babies are able to chew at around 8 or 9 months old, you can begin to serve mashed fruits and vegetables, cooked strips of vegetables and slices of soft, fresh fruit.
Protein
By the time your baby is 8 or 9 months old, he is ready to add strained, pureed or minced meats, poultry or fish to his diet. Make sure you avoid fish that contains high mercury levels. He is also ready to start eating other proteins like beans, yogurt, cooked egg yolks and very soft cheeses like cottage cheese. Give your baby a variety of foods, but be careful to introduce them one at a time, three to four days apart so that if he has a reaction to any of the foods, you can pinpoint which food it was. At 9 to 12 months, your baby is ready to eat along with the family as long as the foods are mashed or cut small enough to ensure that he will not choke. Continue with any dietary restrictions your pediatrician has stipulated until the baby is 12 months old.
Milk and Eggs
By 12 months old, your baby should be feeding herself and eating three meals per day plus two to three snacks. Substitute whole milk for breast milk or formula at this stage. If your baby does not take to the milk, blend it with fruits like bananas, blueberries or strawberries for a healthy, filling smoothie. Your baby is also ready to add egg whites to her diet, allowing you to explore with French toast, scrambled eggs or pancakes for breakfast.
