Introducing Foods for Babies under one year old

From the time the baby is born till its 3^rd month breast milk or formula is enough to provide all the nutrients it needs but as the baby grows it requires more nutrients. Below is the accepted guideline for introducing new foods to babies under 1year old.

• First month: breast milk or formula, 2-4 oz per feeding (every 2 to 4 hours).
• Second and third months: breast milk or formula, 4-5 oz each feeding; 6 feeding a day.
• By fourth: 5-6 oz breast milk or formula each feeding 5 to 6 times a day. During this time you can already introduce baby rice or rice cereal and oatmeal. Begin with ½ teaspoonful or less; then gradually work up to 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls.
• At fourth to fifth months: Integrate pureed solids beginning with baby rice and small amount of pureed vegetables (peas, carrots, squash, etc) to the baby's meal; after a few weeks, add pureed fruits (apple, bananas, peaches, pears, etc.).
• At fifth to sixth months: Meats are usually one of the last foods to be added. The meat should be soft-cooked and pureed. Small amounts of fresh fruit juices (apple, orange, peaches, pear etc) can be added at 5 to 6 months.

• At seventh to eight months: For breast milk give 5 to 6 feedings per day. For formula, 6-8 oz per feeding 4 or 5 times each day. 2-4 oz. of cereal and/or pureed baby food should be given at each of the baby's three meals. During this time you can already add breads (but avoid wheat products) and starchy foods (potatoes, rice, pastas). Increase the variety of fruits and vegetables.

• At nine to twelve months: 750 to 900 calories needed per day divided into three meals and two snacks. Daily intake: About 24 oz breast milk or formula per day (400 - 500 calories). During this time egg yolks may be tried, but avoid whites (egg white may cause allergic reaction) until after the first birthday. Moderate amounts of butter (unsalted) and small amounts of jam on bread and crackers may also be given but don't give peanut butter, which can cause choking. Increase meat intake to a total of 2 oz a day.

Tips:

• If you start with vegetables, baby taste savory flavors before sweet, but introduce one at a time. Cook the vegetables until soft, then puree until smooth, adding boiled water if it's too thick. When you start mixing flavors, use a maximum of three ingredients, but however you prepare food for your baby, stick to the KISS principle, which means using the freshest produce possible and cooking it simply. Babies tend to like bland foods so don't add salt during cooking.
• Citrus fruit juices tend to irritate the baby's skin and make stools acidic, so it is advisable to wait until at least 6 to 9 months.