STARTING SOLIDS

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4 - 6 months
 Single grain cereals that are fortified in iron are suggested to start first
 Mix 1 teaspoon of single grain cereal with 4-5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula
 It’s normal for babies to push food out of their mouth, keep trying
 Don’t force baby to eat if they are turning head or shaking their head no
 If baby is completely uninterested, wait a week and try again

4 - 8 months
 You can introduce pureed veggies, fruits & meats at your preference
 Make sure you introduce one food at a time to observe for reactions
 AAP recommends introducing allergenic food early to reduce the risk of developing a
food allergy
 If there is a positive family history of food allergies, discuss with your doctor before
giving those foods

6 - 8 months
 Once baby has mastered single purees, you can offer mixed purees such as salmon and
potato, turkey and green beans
 You can also offer single ingredient soft finger food such as cooked peas, mashed
banana, or avocado
 Skip salt and sugar as baby does not need this

9 – 12 months
 As soon as baby is able, transition to chunkier purees and more finger foods with
textures
 Offer as many flavors as possible
 Be sure to include meats in their diet to ensure they are getting iron

Solids to Avoid
Avoid these solids until baby is older than 1 year of age
 Honey – can cause botulism
 Cow’s milk – give formula or breast milk until age 1, cheese and yogurt are ok
 Choking Hazards - nuts, seeds, raisins, grapes, hard candy, popcorn, hot dogs, and hard
raw veggies

Water
The AAP recommends introducing a small amount of water in an open cup with meals around 6
months (or older) which can help develop a taste for water and fine motor skills.