Feeding You and Your Family - Babies

Introducing Solids  

 

Getting Started  

Wait until baby is 6 months of age before starting solids.

• Start solid foods at 6 months of age, at 6 months your baby is developmentally ready for solids
• Start with an iron rich food. After that, the order you introduce foods is less important

Make it fun! 

• Remember in this first year (up to 12 months), the learning experience of eating solid foods is just as important as the nutrition
• Breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula continues to be the main source of nutrition in the 1^st year  

You can start right now to help your baby develop healthy eating habits and a good relationship with food. Watch your baby's cues and match the pace that they set.

 

The following information will help answer key questions you may have about feeding solid foods to your baby.

 

First Foods: What to Start With

 

The resource Feeding your baby provides detailed information on how, what and when to start feeding your baby. The following are key points to keep in mind when introducing solids.

 

·         Begin with iron-rich foods; this includes beef, chicken, beans and legumes, lamb, pork, eggs and iron-fortified tofu. You can also offer iron-fortified infant cereal (rice, barley, oat, wheat). Beans are a good option for families who are vegetarian 
   

·         Begin with a small amount of pureed food — 1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon. At 6 months, most babies are ready for foods that are similar to the texture of applesauce; however, if that is too thick, you can thin it out by adding breast milk, formula or water

 

·         Wait 3-4 days in between the introduction of each new so you have time to watch for any reactions, such as a food allergy

 

·         When introducing fruit and vegetables, mix it up! There is no set order for introducing fruits and vegetables and you don't have to offer all of one before starting the other. For example, Sam is 6 ½ months old. He has already tried pureed chicken, barley cereal and bananas. On Monday, Sam's mom offered sweet potatoes and on Thursday she offers applesauce

 

·         Milk products can also be introduced, including yogurt (plain or with fruits that have already been introduced), grated cheese and cottage cheese

 

·         Do not give your baby honey before 1 year of age. All other foods (including whole eggs, fish etc.) can be offered after six months.

 

Texture

 

Babies don't stay on pureed food for very long. At 6 months, your baby will start with a smooth puree. Gradually thicken the pureed food. By 8 months, babies are ready for a lumpier textures and even small pieces of soft food. 

 

Introducing pieces of food or "finger foods" when your baby is ready is important because it will let your baby have more independence with feeding as well as teach a new way of eating (often called finger feeding). Since your baby isn't able to use a spoon well, eating using their fingers is a good way to teach self feeding.

 

Your baby may gag with new textures. Remember gagging is not the same as choking. Gagging is a natural reaction to stop from choking. If you need to thin the food, add some breast milk, formula or water. There are some foods your baby should not have before the age of 4, because they are considered a choking hazard. Some examples are hot dogs, nuts, gum and hard candies, popcorn and hard vegetables like carrot sticks. 

 

A Quick Reference Guide to Feeding Your Baby

 

For a quick and easy guide for the types and textures of foods your baby is ready for, check out the Guide to Feeding Your Baby chart. Print it out and post it on your fridge for a quick reference.

 

How Much?

 

When starting solid foods, your baby may eat very small amounts before losing interest. Don't worry, your baby is getting the nutrients they need from breast milk or, if not breastfeeding, formula. Some babies eat larger amounts of solid foods right from the start, and some don't.  Don't forget, this is all new to your baby!

 

Your baby knows how much to eat. Listen and respond to your baby's signs of hunger and fullness.

 

Homemade and Store Bought Baby Food

 

When you start offering solid foods to your baby, either store bought or homemade food is fine. Some parents offer a combination of both. Some things to remember when purchasing store bought baby food:

 

·         Read the ingredient list — the only ingredients you should see are the name of the food and possibly water ( e.g., peas, water or chicken, water)

 

·         There should never be added salt or sugars

 

·         Homemade baby food is less expensive and it lets you control the texture of the food. You don't need fancy equipment or a special recipe to make you own baby food. A simple fork or blender is all you need 

 

·         It doesn't matter if you choose organic or non-organic foods. Buy the type of food you feel most comfortable with

 

How Do I know it is all Going Well?

 

You will know things are going well if your baby is enjoying eating, is exploring new foods and textures, and is continuing to drink breast milk or formula well. Remember it's breast milk or iron-fortified formula that gives your baby most of their nutrition during the first year. Your baby knows how much they need to drink and eat so let your baby decide. As long as you offer the food in a safe and loving way, watching for their feeding cues, your baby will be on their way to becoming a good eater. 

 

For more information about introducing solid foods to your baby, speak to a Registered Dietitian at EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-5102. 

 

Additional Resources:

 

A complete listing of all fact sheets and resources on feeding your baby during the first year is available on the Nutrition Services Fact Sheets and Resources Page. Many of the fact sheets and resources are available in English and in a variety of other languages.

 

Websites:  

 

How to Make Babyfood: A great step-by-step in pictures guide to making baby food from Ottawa Public Health

 

Nutrition For Healthy Term Infants: Health guidelines from Health Canada , Dietitians of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society (revised version expected to be released mid to late-2012)