Graduating to Solid Foods
When your baby reaches the age of four to six months, or starts showing signs of readiness, such as no longer being satisfied with straight milk at regular feedings, your pediatrician may recommend that you start him on solid foods. That doesn't mean you're suddenly going to serve steak and potatoes, but it does mean that baby is moving on to new (and more challenging) fare.
You'll start with rice or oatmeal baby cereal, before moving on to jars of baby food and finger foods. Finger foods can be started as early as eight to nine months, or once baby has developed a pincer-grasp.
What Baby Can Eat — and When
One of the biggest mysteries of new parenthood is what to feed baby at each stage of his development. Here's a quick rundown of what baby may try to eat and when he will probably feel like trying it:
Four to six months: Breast milk, formula, baby cereals; if baby is still not satisfied, you can try some fruits and vegetables.
Six to eight months: Breast milk or formula (or both), cereals, fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, and protein-rich foods such as yogurt, cheese, or egg yolks. This is the ideal time to try strained turkey or chicken and vegetable dinners (in jars).
Eight to ten months: Breast milk or formula, fruits and vegetables, cereals (move on to breads and muffins), and chicken or turkey meals. You could try pureed beef or lamb at this stage, too.
Ten months to one year: Breast milk, formula, or whole milk; oatmeal, breads, and cereals of thicker consistency; soft-cooked fruits and vegetables cut into tiny morsels for baby to feed with his own hands; and tiny portions of whatever you're having for dinner, as long as baby can chew it (baby will be more interested in “Mommy” or “Daddy” food by this time, and you can let baby experiment, within reason).
Fact
Some doctors recommend sticking with baby cereal for as long as baby will eat it. Their reasoning is that baby cereal is better tolerated and less likely to cause allergic reactions than other foods. Also, many doctors recommend limiting fruit juice to four to six ounces per day for a baby over the age of six months — diluting it to prevent diarrhea.
Food Allergies, Pesticides, and Organic Solutions
Some babies develop food allergies, which is why your doctor will recommend that you try a specific food for at least two to three days in a row before moving on to another new item. This way, if a rash develops, you'll be able to quickly identify the reason behind it.
Babies can develop allergies to nuts, egg whites, and strawberries; that's why many pediatricians recommend avoiding foods containing these ingredients. Of course, nuts are very bad foods for babies, since they can be choking hazards; keep peanuts and cashews far from the reach of tiny (and curious) hands!
If you're worried about pesticides, buy only organic baby foods or make your own baby foods. You'll need good puree equipment and perhaps a juicer. Many parents prefer this option, since it allows them to feed their babies more whole grains and less sugar.
