Infant Feeding Schedule - Starting SolidsThis page answers these questions on the infant feeding schedule for introduction of solids, which is called weaning.Babies are ready for weaning once they are over 4 months of age and they have a relatively straight back and are reaching for food. This may be at 4 months in some babies but others may not be ready until 6 months of age. There is a new movement in the United States called WhiteOut which is encouraging parents to restrict the amount of unrefined carbohydrate (like white baby cereal) given to babies. It is believed that we are programming our children to obesity by teaching them from an early age to like unrefined carbohydrates. Read more. If you have a specific question in the list below, you can click on the link to go there directly, otherwise read on.
To read about food for infants over 12 months of age, click here To read about the nutritional requirements for children, click here
When should I introduce solids to my baby?The infant feeding schedule changes over the first year and solid food is introduced as well as the milk. Solids should not be introduced until your baby can hold up his head himself and is reaching out for food, which is usually between 4 and 6 months of age. Never give your baby solids before 4 months of age, and some babies can wait until they are 6 months of age. Solids being introduced into the diet is referred to as weaning.How do I start to introduce solid food to my baby?
What foods should I introduce to my baby?First foods in the infant feeding schedule need to be soft, smooth and plain. Try the following:
Once your baby tolerates pureed food well, you can start offering mashed food and finger food and then after that, lumpy food. How often should I introduce a new food?Introduce one food at a time and try a new food every 5 days, according to what your family normally eats. Introduce a food at least 10 times before deciding that your baby doesn't like it. If you give a spoonful of a food you believe your baby doesn't like at the beginning of the meal daily for at least a week, your baby will start to enjoy this food. You don't need to insist your baby has more than a spoonful when you start. By a year of age, your baby should be having much the same food as the rest of the family, so the infant feeding schedule in the second six months of life is preparing your baby for your family food.
When can I give my baby lumpy foods?Finely pureed meat and chicken can be given from 6 to 7 months of age once your baby is used to solids. Mashed food and finger foods, like a rusk or toast, can also be given at 6 - 7 months of age. Always watch your baby when he is feeding finger foods as he could choke. By 8 to 9 months of age, your baby will be able to have lumpier food, so that finely chopped, rather than pureed, meat and vegetables can be added to the infant feeding schedule. You can also start giving drinks in a baby cup at about 8 - 9 months of age.When do I start to give solids before the milk?Once your baby is 8 or 9 months, you can give solids first before milk. Give finger foods as this will encourage him to learn to feed himself.Are there any foods I should avoid giving my baby in the first 12 months?Yes. Foods that should be avoided in the infant feeding schedule include:
When should I start dairy products?Dairy products include cheese, yoghurt and ice cream. They should not be started until your baby has been on solids and is eating a range of other food. Generally your baby will be on these foods by 9 months of age - some babies will have tolerated them as early as 7 months.If there is a history of allergy in the family, it has been previously suggested that the introduction of some foods, like eggs and cheese, should be delayed even up to 12 months of age. However, studies have not shown that there is clear benefit in doing this and some suggest it may be better to start before 12 months of age. So if you are concerned about your baby getting eczema, avoid dairy (cheese, yoghurt, ice cream) products in the first 6 months of life completely, and gradually introduce them after that from about 7 - 8 months of age. For more information on food allergies, click here.Remember, do not give normal cow's milk before 12 months of age. When should I start egg?Egg yolk (yellow) can be started once your baby is having a variety of foods, so usually by 7-8 months of age.If there is a history of allergy in the family, it has been previously suggested that the introduction of some foods, like eggs and cheese, should be delayed even up to 12 months of age. However, studies have not shown that there is clear benefit in doing this. So if you are concerned about your baby getting eczema, avoid eggs in the first 6 months of life, and start with egg yolk (yellow) after 8 months of age. For more information on food allergies, click here.
What are the key points of the infant feeding schedule?In summary, the infant feeding schedule in the first year is
References
To read about the infant feeding schedule before solids, click here To read about food after 12 months of age, click here To go to the Newborn Baby page, click here To go to the Growing page, click here To return to the Home page, click here Last reviewed 23 August 2011
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