When thinking about starting baby on solid foods and introducing solids to baby, a good rule of thumb is to "Watch the Baby - Not the Calendar!"
If your baby is just starting solids at this stage, start out slowly, preparing a tablespoon sized portion of whatever food you have chosen to begin with. Some parents begin offering their babies solid foods by using their (clean and washed) finger as a spoon! They say that this helps their babies take to solid foods because the "new" spoon and the "new" food all at once seem to confuse baby!
Baby Led Weaning as a Method for Introducing Solid Foods.
More and more parents are opting to skip traditional baby food purees and choose Baby Led Weaning as a method for introducing solid foods. Baby Led Weaning means offering your baby (age appropriate) foods that soft-cooked and cut into small easily manageable pieces. These foods are then given to your baby to eat. You do the cooking, the dicing and the offering of the foods and your baby does the rest. As with breastfeeding on demand, Baby Led Weaning is a method of introducing solid foods that leaves it up to your baby to decide when and how much to eat. While not necessarily a "hands off" approach, Baby Led Weaning does advocate allowing your baby to make all food choices for him or herself. The foods listed on our 4-6 month old chart and those listed on the chart below make great foods for baby led weaning!
How much will baby eat at his first meal?
If your 6-8 month old baby is just starting solid foods, you will probably only manage to have baby eat 1/2 of the tablespoon sized portion the very first times you begin solids. If you are using a Baby Led Weaning approach, your baby may only manage to get a few pieces of food into his or her mouth. Don't fret if your baby does not "finish" a meal. Remember this is a new experience for your baby! As your baby becomes accustomed to eating solids, you will gradually increase the portion sizes. Remember, breast milk and/or infant formula are providing for the total nutrition of your baby at this stage!
Many parents find their babies will push the food out of their mouths on the first few tries. This is normal however it may also indicate that your baby is not yet ready for solid foods. Only you know your baby and will be able to decide if baby is truly ready for solids.
SOLID FOOD INTRODUCTION For Babies 6-8 Months old
AGE& STAGE
- The AAP recommends that an infant not be started on solid foods until after 6 months of age.
- Many pediatricians still start babies on solids around 4 months of age.
- This chart accommodates all ages and stages up to 12 months.
CEREALS
- Try mixing together the grains that your baby has had without any reaction(s).
FRUITS
- Begin making your own fruit combinations once baby has had several fruits without any reaction(s)
- After 8 months old – you may wish to try offering raw ripe fruits
- Soft cooked fruits make for great beginner FInger Foods; Learn about Introducing Baby Finger Foods!
VEGGIES
- Veggie combinations are great to offer now. Ensure that all veggies have been previously offered without any reaction(s) prior to mixing & matching.
- After 8 months old – you may wish to try offering soft cooked veggies in dices or tiny chunks and bits.
- Soft cooked veggies make for great beginner Baby Finger Foods!
PROTEIN
- Once your baby has reached 8 months old, try offering tofu finger cubes dusted with Cheerio “dust” or other cereal “dust”
- Many pediatricians are now recommending Meats as first foods due to the Iron content - ask your pediatrician!
DAIRY
- Around 8 months old, you should be able to offer plain whole milk yogurt and mild cheeses.
- Mix some yogurt with a favorite fruit puree for a breakfast offering
Six to Eight (6-8) Months old
- Continue mixing together the foods that you have already introduced without allergies or reactions
- Try a Banana-Cado mix of Bananas and Avocado for example
CEREALS
- Continue with Rice
- Barley
- Oat
FRUITS
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Plums
- Prunes
- Pumpkin
- Mangos
VEGGIES
- Carrots*
- Peas
- Yellow Squash
- Zucchini
- Parsnips (8 months)
PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Tofu
- *8 Months for Meats/Protein or when your pediatrician says it's ok*
DAIRY
- Plain -Whole Milk Yogurt (NOT whole milk for a drink!)
- * 8 months or when your pediatrician says it's ok
From : www.wholesomebabyfood.com
