by Giselle Bello
With so much information out there, here is a quick guide to help you know what to feed your baby at each month during their first two years:
Pregnancy and newborn stage: Your baby gets their nutrients through amniotic fluid and breast milk, so eat up!
4-6 months: You can start on solids. You can tell when they are ready when they start to sit up by themselves, and grab things to put in their mouth.
7 months: You can start to give lumpier foods. Experts say that eating only smooth purees may lead to pickier eaters later in development.
8-9 months: Time for finger foods! Babies will love any chance to practice grabbing things and pick up small pieces of soft foods.
10-11 months: Now is the time to introduce a variety of flavors. Experts say that if this isn’t done by age 1, it is likely that person will prefer a more limited, blander diet growing up.
12-14 months: Whole milk and honey are ok to eat now. At this age, both appetite and growth rate slow significantly. Remember to keep introducing your baby to a variety of new foods.
15 to 17 months: Your baby will start to more successfully use their little plastic forks and spoons.
18 to 23 months: From this age up until age 3, kids start to go through more picky phases. Just stay creative and switch things up.
24 months: Replace whole milk with low-fat diary.
And finally, here are some great foods to be sure to include in your baby's menu:
Lentils: These have iron, protein, and fiber, all important nutrients for both toddlers and infants. Feed these pureed with brown rice for younger ones, and serve them lumpier as the baby grows older and becomes more accustomed to it.
Fish: The omega-3 fatty acids and protein in fish is great for little ones’ growing brains. Try combining a mild option (such as pollock) with a vegetable he likes in a puree. When he is older, try cutting salmon or Pollock into strips, sprinkle bread crumbs on top, and bake them for a healthy fish stick.
Green vegetables: These provide a variety of nutrients, including folate (which supports healthy cell growth) and beta carotene (necessary for a healthy immune system). For little ones, mix spinach, asparagus, or green beans with cauliflower to make a sweeter puree. For older ones, you can steam green beans, broccoli, or asparagus, adding a bit of garlic or butter for taste.