By the age of 8 months, you can introduce your baby to foods other than those that are pureed. Babies usually have some teeth at this age and can use their fingers to pick up food themselves. They are not ready, however, to eat everything the rest of the family does. Some foods can be served if fixed properly; others should be avoided completely.
Nuts and Nut Butters
Nuts should be avoided because they present a choking hazard for such a young child. In the past, it was thought that if children ate peanut butter before the age of 1 year, they had an increased risk of developing a peanut allergy. However, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says no conclusive proof exists that delaying feeding allergenic foods until after 6 months of age will prevent the development of food allergies. If you decide to try peanut butter with your child, watch carefully for signs of an allergic reaction.
Chunks of Fruits and Vegetables
Because of the danger of choking, do not feed chunks of fruit and vegetables to an 8-month-old baby. While fruits and vegetables no longer need to be pureed at this age, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension says they should be mashed until no large lumps or strings are left. Remove pieces of skin or seeds. Never feed chunk-size whole foods, such as grapes, to an 8-month-old child.
Meat
Be especially careful when feeding meat. Never give an 8-month-old child chunks of hot dogs or any meat because of the possibility of choking. Another potential choking hazard is cooked meat that breaks into "strings." An 8-month-old child has a limited number of teeth and therefore cannot break meat up by chewing thoroughly. Instead, stick with ground or pureed meat.
Eggs and Cow's Milk
While the NIH says there is no reason to avoid feeding eggs to an 8-month-old in an attempt to avoid the development of an allergy, avoid raw eggs. They can carry organisms that cause infections, as can raw or unpasteurized milk. While feeding an 8-month-old cow's milk may not cause her to develop a milk allergy, breast milk or formula is more nutritious for a human baby than cow's milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfed infants who are weaned before 12 months of age be switched to an iron-fortified formula rather than cow's milk.
Honey, Salt, Sugar and Seasonings
Avoid giving honey to a child under a year old because honey can carry botulism spores, according to the UNL Extension. Do not add salt, sugar or other seasonings to the child's food. While you may think it makes your food taste better, babies don't need it because the taste of all food is new. Let your child learn what food tastes like naturally. Excess salt can even be harmful to your child.
Member Comments