When to feed your baby the first year (breast milk or iron-fortified formula)
0 to 4 months: five to 10 feedings
4 to 6 months: four to seven feedings
6 to 8 months: four to five feedings
8 to 10 months: four to five feedings
10 to 12 months: three to four feedings
When to give your baby solid foods
You can give your baby solid food when he is 6 months old. The schedule is as follows:
Start with a one-grain cereal.
Introduce one new food.
In three days, introduce another new food.
Introduce meats when your baby is 8 months old.
Waiting three days between new foods will let you see if your baby has a food allergy. The new foods will also create different-colored stools. You only need to call your health care provider if you see blood in the diaper or if your baby is in pain while having a bowel movement.
When to give your baby cereals and bread
0 to 4 months: none
6 months: 2 to 3 teaspoons of iron-fortified boxed cereal (oatmeal, rice or barley) mixed with formula, water or breast milk (for spoon feeding)
6 to 8 months: 4 to 6 tablespoons of all types of boxed infant cereal except cereal with fruit or honey
8 to 10 months: 6 to 8 tablespoons of infant cereals, toast, bagel or crackers
10 to 12 months: 6 to 8 tablespoons of infant or cooked cereal or unsweetened dry cereal, bread, rice noodles, one-half cup spaghetti or crackers
When to give your baby fruit juices
Your baby does not need juice. Real fruit is better when your baby is at least 6 months old.
0 to 4 months: none
4 to 6 months: none
6 to 8 months: 2 to 4 ounces in a cup of infant juices, adult apple juice, all vitamin C-fortified 100 percent juices (except tomato or orange)
8 to 10 months: 2 to 4 ounces in a cup of all 100 percent juices, including tomato and orange
10 to 12 months: 2 to 4 ounces in a cup of all 100 percent juices
When to give your baby vegetables
0 to 4 months: none
4 to 6 months: none
6 to 8 months: 3 to 4 tablespoons of strained or mashed vegetables that are dark yellow, orange or green. Do not give your baby tomatoes.
8 to 10 months: 4 to 7 tablespoons of cooked, mashed vegetables. You can give tomatoes at this age.
10 to 12 months: 6 to 8 tablespoons of cooked vegetable pieces and some soft vegetables. Be sure to cut up all vegetables into small pieces due to choking risk.
When to give your baby fruits
0 to 4 months: none
4 to 6 months: none
6 to 8 months: 3 to 4 tablespoons of fresh or cooked fruits such as banana, applesauce or strained fruits. Do not give your baby oranges.
8 to 10 months: 5 to 7 tablespoons of strained or peeled soft fruit pieces such as bananas, peaches, pears, apples or oranges. Be sure to cut up all fruits into small pieces due to choking risk.
10 to 12 months: 9 to 12 tablespoons of all fresh fruits (peeled and seeded) and canned fruits packed in water. Do not give your child grapes due to choking risk.
When to give your baby meats and protein
0 to 4 months: none
4 to 6 months: none
6 to 8 months: none
8 to 10 months: 4 to 6 tablespoons of strained, chopped or small pieces of lean meat, chicken and fish, egg yolk, mild cheeses (cut into small pieces), yogurt and cooked dried beans. Do not give your baby whole nuts due to choking risk.
10 to 12 months: 4 to 6 tablespoons of small, tender pieces of chicken, fish, cheese, yogurt or dried beans. Give your child a whole egg after her first birthday.
Notes
Give your baby only one new food at a time, about 2 to 5 days apart.
Start with one teaspoon and slowly increase to the amount listed.
Talk with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about feeding your baby.
Avoid honey until your child is 1 year old.
Most health care providers recommend avoiding giving children nut products (like peanut butter) until 1 year old. If your child has a parent or sibling with food allergies, talk with your health care provider whether other foods should be avoided as well.
