As your infant grows and develops, his nutritional needs and feeding skills change. Making sure that you follow guidelines set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make sure that your infant gets adequate nutrition in a safe and healthy way. Understanding your child's physical and mental development can help you understand why your child needs to be fed in a certain way. As he progresses, you can introduce new flavors, textures and types of food to see what he likes.
Zero to Four Months
During the first few months of life, your child's only nourishment should come from formula feeding or breast milk. Both have all of the nutrition, vitamins and water that a newborn baby needs. Although it might seem tempting to give your little one a taste of ice cream or some other treat, her digestive system is only mature enough to handle formula or breast milk, and you could give her an upset stomach. The USDA notes that her rooting reflex will tell you when she is hungry.
Four to Six Months
After four months, it is usually OK to try feeding your baby a few pureed and strained solid foods. His ability to hold his head up so he won't choke on food, the ability to close his mouth around a spoon and an interest in food and watching you eat shows you that he is ready to try solid foods that are very soft, like strained peas or barley cereal. His diet should still be made up mostly of breast milk and formula.
Six to Eight Months
As your infant grows and develops, you'll notice that she is able to make a chewing motion with her mouth, even if she doesn't currently have any teeth. Introducing new foods one at a time in three day increments can help you watch for allergic reactions. Your baby is likely eager to try new foods, but not shy about letting you know which foods she doesn't like, with a funny face.
Eight to Ten Months
When your child uses his thumb and forefinger to pick up items, he is able to try smaller pieces of more solid food, like bread, crackers and soft cheeses. He can transfer these items from one hand to another, and begin feeding himself when foods are placed in front of him. Because he is eager to try new foods, it's important to make sure food is cut into pieces small enough that he won't choke on them. It's also a good time to introduce juice in a sippy cup.
10 to 12 Months
As your baby nears her first birthday, breast milk or formula will only make up about half of her diet. She'll show you that she's ready to choose solid foods at regular meal times by pushing the food from side to side in her mouth, swallowing food easily without pushing it out with her tongue and attempting to use her own spoon. Try small bits of fruits or vegetables, along with soft meats and tofu, small cereal pieces and soft cheese and yogurt.
