Your baby’s first food will be milk, whether it’s your own breast milk or a formula milk. However, at around age 6 months, you may notice your baby showing an interest in other foods. The National Network for Child Care recommends trying a fortified infant cereal mixed with breast or formula milk as a first food, as it is less likely than other foods to provoke an allergic reaction. Don't introduce cereal before age 4 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses that you can continue to breastfeed or give your child formula for a year or longer. The World Health Organization recommends that breastfeeding continue until your child is 2 years old.
Vegetables
You can try feeding vegetables to your baby from age 7 months, according to the National Network for Child Care. Many pediatricians recommend starting vegetables before fruit, although the American Academy of Pediatrics stresses that there is no evidence that this is more beneficial than trying fruit first. You can try most vegetables as long as they are washed thoroughly, cooked until soft and blended to avoid a choking hazard. This includes fresh and frozen vegetables as well as those in cans, although the canned vegetables should be low-salt or no-salt versions. Avoid spinach and beets, which are high in natural nitrates that can make young babies sick.
Fruit
Babies may enjoy the sweeter taste of fruit. The National Network for Child Care recommends starting your baby on fruit any time after he or she is 8 months old. As with vegetables, you can use fresh, frozen or canned fruit, but avoid fruit canned in syrup. Wash fresh fruit thoroughly, even if you intend to peel it. You can puree the fruit, mash it or push soft fruit through a sieve to prepare it for your baby. Don’t add honey; it carries a risk of botulism, a potentially very serious illness for your baby.
Safety
Making your own baby foods is a great way to keep costs down and control what your baby is eating, but you need to be aware of food safety precautions. If you cook fruit or vegetables, do not let them stand at room temperature for more than two hours. Refrigerate them as soon as possible after they’re cool and use them within two days. Label the container with the date and time of refrigeration to avoid confusion. Freezing baby food extends its lifespan to one month; defrost it in the refrigerator or under cold water and make sure you thoroughly re-heat any frozen food to 165 Fahrenheit before serving it. Never re-freeze food that has been allowed to defrost.
Allergies
Around 6 percent of children under age 3 in the United States have a food allergy, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Allergies to fruit and vegetables are not common but are possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends trying each new food separately and waiting for two or three days before trying another. Watch your baby closely for any sign of an allergic reaction. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea and a rash. If you observe any of these, take your baby to your doctor.
References
- National Network for Child Care: Making Baby Food
- HealthyChildren.org: Ages and Stages, Weaning Your Baby
- National Network for Child Care: Making Baby Food
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service: Feeding Infants
- FoodSafety.gov: Homemade Baby Food
- KidsHealth: Food Allergies 1
- KidsHealth: Food Allergies 2
- HealthyChildren.org: When Can My Baby Eat Solid Foods
