going to Feeding with Love program at LAMP,July 9,2012

Today's topic is Introduction to Solid Foods.

 

Babies from 6 months old can start to have solid foods.The recommended order of introducing solid food:

 

1. Iron fortified infant cereal.

2.Meat and alternatives(meat,fish,poultry,cooked egg yolk,well cooked legumes and tofu)

3.Vegetables and fruits.

4.Milk and milk alternatives(cottage cheese,other cheese and yogurt).

 

Infant under one year of age should avoid eating egg whites ,honey,added salt and sugar.

 

From 6 to 9 months,besides breast milk or formula, from 1 teaspoon of infant cereal to 6 or 10 tbsp per day.

 

pureed cooked meat,fish,chicken,tofu,mashed beans,egg yolk,from 1 teaspoon to 2 or 4 tbsp per day.

 

pureed cooked vegetables,cooked fruits,very ripe mashed fruits, begin with 1 teaspoon to 6 or 9 tbsp fruit and 2 or 4 tbsp vegetables per day.

 

From 9 to 12 months, besides breast milk or formula, any iron fortified infant cereal up to 1/3 cup by 11 months, 3/4 cup by one year. Also can add toast,cooked rice,and pasta.

 

Minced or diced small cooked meat,fish,chicken,tofu,beans,egg yolk, by the end of the first year,average meant intake is 6 tablespoons.

 

Mashed or diced small cooked vegetables, soft fresh fruits, peeled,seeded,and diced, canned fruit diced small packed in water or juice, by the end of the first year, average vegetable intake is 14 tablespoons of veggie and fruits per day.

 

From 9 to 12 months, also can have cow's milk(home) from a cup, about 2 cups by one year, plain yogurt, cheese,about 2 or 4 talbespoons per day.

 

For 6 to 9 months old, give solid food after breastfeeding or bottle feeding, start with single food, not mixed, wait for 3 days for a food to avoid allergy, should feed food from a spoon, not in a bottle. Offer water from a cup or fresh fruit to babies if they are thirsty, avoid juice.

 

For 9 to 12 months old, give solid food before breastfeeding or bottle feeding, offer food in small cubes or pieces to avoid choking, avoid too hard food e.g. nuts, raisins,grapes, candies, stay with your babies at all times.

 

Allow babies to feed themselves just make sure their hands are clean and food are small.

 

once the baby has tried all kinds of food, it is ok to offer the same food as the rest of family.

 

So far my baby has tried rice cereal, yolk,ripe banana,orange juice,edamame bean puree, carrot juice. I will offer her other new food continually. So many yummy foods are waiting for her to explore. Welcome to the gourmet world, baby.