Articles - Your Well Child

Feeding

Introduction

1.

The four-month old checkup us is a good time to discuss how and when to introduce the different types of solid foods.

2.

Between four to six months of age infants achieve the ability to take food from a spoon and swallow it rather than just pushing it out with the tongue.

3.

The introduction of solid foods should be a slow, unrushed and steady process allowing the infant to become used to each food before moving on to the next.

4.

If foods are introduce to the baby too soon, the baby may develop allergic reactions since their intestines are not prepared to handle some of the components of different foods.

5.

The first food should be introduced between four to six months of age, preferably six months.

Four month - Six month

1.

Rice cereal is the least allergenic of all foods and should be given first.

2.

Once a food is introduced there should be five to seven days before the next food is introduced. If three or four foods are introduced at once and the baby develops hives, diarrhea or other allergic reactions it will be impossible to know which food caused this.

3.

At first one to two tablespoons of rice cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, once or twice a day is sufficient. Before long babies will open their mouths when they are hungry or close their mouths and turn their heads when they are full.

4.

After rice cereal, other grains such as oatmeal, barley and mixed grains can be introduced. Breast-feeding or formula should continue as usual.

Five month - Seven month

1.

At five to seven months of age, vegetables can be started. Again, introduce only one food at a time and wait five to seven days before the introduction of each new food.

2.

If any food causes an allergic reaction such as hives, upset stomach, spitting up or diarrhea, then that food should be stopped. It can be retried after one to two months to determine if there was actually an allergy or just a one-time reaction.

3.

At five to seven months infant crackers or teething biscuits can also be given. Be sure that they are the type that will not cause choking in an infant.

4.

At this point the cereals and vegetables can be given one to two times a day.

5.

Different babies will take different amounts and like different foods so the total amount of food and the type of food aren't as important as good weight gain. If the baby is healthy and gaining weight, then the baby is getting enough food.

6.

An average amount of formula at this age is twenty-eight to thirty-two ounces per twenty-four hours. Some babies will take less and some will take more, but this is the average amount.

Six month - Eight month

1.

At six to eight months of age fruits and fruit juices can be started. As always, one at a time and new foods every five to seven days.

2.

Limit juices to sixteen ounces per day or less as these contain minimal nutrients but can fill up a child and inhibit growth.

Eight month - Nine month

1.

By eight months of age most babies are taking formula or breast milk along with cereals, fruits and vegetables.

2.

Don't be overly concerned about which food your baby likes or dislikes or how much your baby takes or what time of day your baby eats each food group. As long as there is good weight gain, you have an active healthy baby and the baby is offered a variety of foods, then you should be satisfied that the feeding is going well.

Nine month

1.

At nine months of age, babies can try egg yoke, usually scrambled. The whites should be withheld until one year of age.

Ten month - Twelve month

1.

At ten months old, babies can start strained meats.

2.

The same rules apply as far as waiting five to seven days to introduce new foods.

3.

Babies at this age can start table foods. Babies may enjoy mashed potatoes, finally chopped meats, yogurt and other adult foods. Foods that babies can choke on should be avoided.

One year

1.

At one year of age, formula can be stopped and whole milk can be started. Whole milk is preferred until two years of age because babies at this age need the extra fat in their diet for growth. Children who were placed on soy formula due to milk allergy will most likely have grown out of the allergy by one year of age. If there is a problem with milk, it can be stopped, and the baby will get the necessary fats and calcium from other foods.

2.

Breast-feeding can continue for as long as the mother and baby want.

3.

Any food can be given after one year of age. The only restriction is to avoid foods that can be a choking hazard or foods that can cause allergy in your child. After one year of age it is safe to give honey, Karo syrup or corn syrup and all milk products.