As parents, it is our responsibility to familiarize our children with the world they have entered and prepare them for it. One aspect of this is introducing them to the diverse range of colors, smells, and tastes found in food. When our child takes their first bites of solid food, we feel they have reached an important milestone in their development. However, not all solid foods are suitable for every stage, which is why we have created a guide to help you feed your baby according to their age.
Before we dive into the guide, there are a few important points to consider:
- Introduce new foods to your baby gradually. It's best not to overwhelm them with too many different tastes in one meal. Remember, every bite of new food is a fresh sensory experience for them, and they need time to adjust.
- Wait for three days after introducing a new food before offering it again. This precaution ensures that your baby does not have an allergic reaction to the food.
- The quantities mentioned in this guide should be seen as recommendations, rather than strict requirements. What matters most is providing your baby with nutritious and healthy food. However, it is ultimately up to your baby to decide how much they want to eat.
Daniel James
Age: from birth to 4 months
Feeding habits
Instinctive reflexes assist the baby in finding the mother's nipple for nourishment.
What can be given?
How much per day?
During this stage, the baby's feeding quantity is based on its weight. To calculate the amount of formula or milk the baby should consume, multiply the baby's weight by 150, and then divide it by the average number of meals per day. For instance, a 4 kg baby needs 600 ml of formula or breast milk daily. If the baby has 6 meals, each meal should consist of approximately 100 ml of formula or breast milk. If the baby has 8 meals, each meal should include about 75 ml.
Important: Since the baby's digestive system is not fully developed, solid food should not be introduced yet.
Alpha
Age: 4–6 months
Indicators that the baby is ready for solid foods
Your baby may not display all of these signs, but watch out for the following cues:
- Able to support their head independently.
- Comfortable sitting in an elevated chair.
- Engaging in chewing motions.
- Has gained a significant amount of weight since birth.
- Shows interest in solid food
- able to close their mouth around a spoon.
- Can move their tongue back and forth.
- Have stopped rejecting food with their tongue.
- Remains hungry even after consuming the recommended amount of formula or breast milk.
- Teething.
What can I feed my baby?
- The baby's main diet should still consist of breast milk or formula.
- In addition to breast milk and formula, you can introduce mashed foods like sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, and peaches to the baby.
How much should I feed my baby each day?
- Start by offering the baby one bite from a spoon to help them get accustomed to the sensation.
- After a few days, gradually increase the amount to more than one teaspoon twice a day, with the goal of familiarizing the baby with the texture rather than expecting them to consume a full meal.
Please note:
If the baby refuses to eat what you offer, do not force them and try again after a few days.
devinf
Age: 6–8 months
Signs that indicate the baby is ready for solid foods.
At this age, you will notice familiar signs that appeared between 4–6 months, but there may be even more signs indicating that your baby is ready for solid foods.
Now, let's talk about what foods can be introduced at this stage:
- Along with breast milk or formula, you can start feeding your baby crushed fruits like bananas, pears, peaches, and any non-exotic fruit.
- Similarly, crushed vegetables such as avocado, well-cooked carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, zucchini, and pumpkin are suitable options.
- You can introduce minced meat like chicken and beef, as well as crushed tofu and small amounts of unsweetened yogurt.
- Cereals rich in iron like oats and barley can be included, along with other grains like rice or pasta.
How much per day?
- You can start with a teaspoon of fruit or vegetable purée, gradually increasing it to 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup, two to three times a day.
- For cereals, start with 3–9 teaspoons, again two to three times a day.
Amnestic_Arts
Age: 8-10 months
The same signs as at the age of 6-8 months will continue to be present. Additionally, there may be other signs
- Uses thumb and fingers to pick up objects (pinch movements).
- Transfers objects from one hand to the other.
- Puts everything in the mouth (the oral stage).
What can we give them?
- Suitable foods for feeding include breast milk, formula, small amounts of pasteurized cheese and cottage cheese, crushed fruits and vegetables.
- Limited protein options like eggs, ground meat, tofu, and boiled beans.
- Finger foods like bananas, scrambled eggs, peas, potatoes, Fusilli-type pasta, and crackers.
- Iron-rich cereals such as oats, barley, and breakfast cereals are recommended.
How much each day?
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup of dairy products
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of iron-rich cereal
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fruit
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vegetables
kinikkin reims
Age: 10-12 months
Signs indicating readiness for more solid foods:
- Same signs as at 8–10 months, along with, more teeth, and attempts to use a spoon.
- Easier swallowing
- More teeth
- Attempts to use spoon
What can we give the baby?
- Breast milk or formula can be supplemented with other foods.
- You can include soft pasteurized cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt in your child's diet.
- Fruits can be cut into cubes or strips, or crushed.
- Bite-sized soft-cooked vegetables like peas and carrots are also suitable.
- Combined dishes like pasta with sauce
- Finger foods such as small pieces of banana, scrambled egg, peas, potatoes, Fusilli-type pasta, and crackers are good options too.
- Cereals rich in iron, such as oats, barley, and breakfast cereals
- Proteins like eggs, ground meat, tofu, and boiled beans are important as well.
How much each day?
- 1/3 cup of dairy products
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of iron-rich cereal
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of fruit
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vegetables
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup of combined food
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup of egg whites
Amelie
Age 1–2 years old
Signs of readiness
- Starting to use a spoon, even if it's a bit clumsy
What can we give them?
- For cereals, choose iron-rich options like oats, barley, and breakfast cereals.
- Include other grains like bread, wholemeal bread, pasta, and rice.
- When it comes to fruits, consider adding new ones such as grapes, grapefruit, and melon to the existing variety.
- Expand the list of vegetables with additions like broccoli and soft-boiled cauliflower.
- For proteins, offer chopped or crushed eggs, ground meat, tofu, and beans.
How much per day?
- Aim for 2 cups of dairy products
- 85 grams of cereals (with at least half being whole grains)
- A glass of whole fruit
- A cup of vegetables
- 50 grams of proteins (25 grams of meat, 1/4 can of tuna, 1/4 cup of boiled beans, or one egg)
Kyle James
Age: 2–3 years old
Signs of readiness
- Eat by themselves
- Eager to try new foods
What can we give them?
- Dairy products like milk, cheeses, yogurt, and cottage cheese, including cow's milk.
- Include iron-rich grains
- Other types of grains like bread, wholemeal bread, pasta, and rice.
- Various fruits and vegetables.
- Protein sources such as chopped or crushed eggs, ground meat, boneless fish, tofu, and beans.
- The same food that the rest of the family consumes.
- Fruit and vegetable juices.
How much per day?
For a child of this age, a portion is approximately 1/4 of what an adult would have.
- 2 cups of dairy products.
- 115–140 grams of cereal.
- About a cup to a cup and a half of fruit.
- Around a cup and a half of vegetables.
- 85–115 grams of proteins.
Danny Mualim
