Nutrition during the first year of your baby's life is important for proper growth and health. Babies are also developing oral and motor skills, so it is necessary to feed an infant based on his or her feeding skills. Here are some suggestions to help you feed your baby.
How often should I feed my baby?
Babies know when they are hungry or full. Feed your baby every time he or she is hungry. An infant who only drinks breast milk or formula should be fed six to 10 times a day. As your baby starts eating solid foods, he or she will drink less. Slowly increase the amount of solid food you offer and decrease the amount of breast milk or formula.
How do I know when my baby is hungry or full?
Some general signs that your baby is hungry include:
- Fussing or crying
- Grabbing for or leaning toward breast or bottle; pointing at spoon, food, or feeder's hand
Some signs your baby has had enough to eat include:
- Pulling away from bottle, spoon, or breast
- Falling asleep
- Changing position, shaking head, keeping mouth closed tightly, moving hands actively
- Handing food back to the feeder
How do I know when my baby is ready for solid food?
Generally, babies are ready to start solid foods between four and six months. However, every baby develops at a different rate, so here are some signs to look for to know your baby is ready:
- Baby can sit upright with little support.
- Baby is hungry for more after eight to 10 breastfeedings or 32 ounces of formula.
- Baby shows interest in what you are eating.
- Baby can move food from the front to the back of his or her mouth.
What foods do I feed my baby and when?
The following chart gives guidelines for feeding your baby. It is important to match what you feed your baby with his or her feeding skills. Keep in mind that every baby develops differently. Always adjust feedings based on your baby's abilities. Also, always introduce new foods one at a time.
Guidelines for feeding your baby
| Age |
Type of Foods to Introduce |
Baby's Feeding Skills |
| 4 - 5 months |
- Iron-fortified infant cereal |
- Baby has sucking and rooting reflexes which help him or her eat |
| 6 - 7 months |
- Unflavored, cooked, pureed, or mashed fruits and vegetables
- Unflavored, cooked, pureed, or mashed vegetables. Note: Don't use combination meat and vegetable dinners.
- Unflavored, soft, pureed, or mashed fruits. Note: Don't use fruit desserts. |
- Baby sits up with little or no support and holds head up
- Watches spoon, opens mouth for spoon
- Smacks lips |
| 8 - 9 months |
- Unflavored, pureed, minced, or finely chopped meat, fish, cooked egg yolk. Note: Don't use combination meat and vegetable dinners.
- Cooked, mashed beans, lentils, tofu; grains, toast, crackers, dry unsweetened cereals
- Limited amounts of unsweetened fruit juices (in a child-size cup). Note: Fruit juice is not necessary, but may provide variety. |
- Teething starts
- Baby begins chewing up and down, lips move and close while chewing
- Plays with spoon, may help bring spoon to mouth
- Holds bottle, drinks from cup with help |
| 9 - 12 months |
- Soft, bite-sized pieces of vegetables, fruits, meats/poultry
- Soft breads, mashed potatoes, rolls, rice noodles
- Yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese. Note: During this stage, slowly decrease mashed foods and offer more finger foods. Also, avoid foods which may cause choking, such as nuts, seeds, popcorn, chips, pretzels, raw carrots, raisins, whole grapes, and hot dog pieces. |
- Baby is able to chew and bite foods
- Fine motor skills (picking up foods in fingers, etc.) improve
- Licks food from bottom lip
- Holds bottle and cup
- Picks up foods in fingers or palms, puts food in mouth |
Additional tips:
- Don't warm baby's bottle or food in the microwave. Warm bottles in a pan of warm water or under a stream of warm tap water. Shake the bottle after warming to be sure the milk or food is heated evenly.
- Always feed your baby in an upright position.
- Don't let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk collects in the baby's mouth and may cause tooth decay and may also cause choking and can lead to ear infections.
- You should not give your baby solid foods in a bottle. This may cause choking or overeating, and it may slow your baby's development of feeding skills.
- Some babies may be sensitive to some foods. It is important to introduce one new food at a time. Be watchful when your baby tries foods that have common allergens: peanuts and other nuts, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, and milk. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
- Do not give your baby honey.
- You don't need to add salt or sugar to the foods your baby eats. Babies like unflavored foods better.
For any additional questions, set up an appointment with a registered dietitian today!
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional written health information, please contact the Health Information Center at the Cleveland Clinic 216.444.3771 or toll-free 800.223.2273 ext. 4-3771 or visit www.clevelandclinic.org/health. This document was last reviewed on: 7/26/2006...#9693
