|
How do you know when to introduce new foods into your child's diet? This can be a challenge for many new parents. To help make this task easier for parents, the health unit has prepared sample menus that outline when to introduce your child to certain foods.
Breastfeeding is recommended as a baby's only food until 6 months of age. At 6 months, the parents can introduce new foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age.
These menus are to be used as guidelines only. For more information on the kinds of foods to introduce your baby to and when, contact the Health Unit to speak to a public health nurse or call EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-5102 to speak to a registered dietitian.
Tips
- Look for baby foods that are pure fruit. Fruit desserts are not pure fruit and have lots of added sugar.
- Store-bought 'meat and vegetable' dinners are low in meat. Offer plain meat, combine jars yourself or make your own.
- The vitamin C in fruits, vegetables and juices increases the absorption of iron from the cereal.
Using a Cup
When you introduce beverages other than breastmilk, be sure to use a cup. It is important for your baby to learn to drink from a cup. This is an important skill and better for developing teeth than a bottle. Practice makes perfect, so… expect many messes!
New Textures
Babies need to learn to chew. Introduction of new textures encourages chewing, co-ordination and independence. Even without teeth, babies can chew and swallow lumpy, mashed or small pieces of soft foods.
- 6 months pureed or strained foods
- 7-8 months lumpy or mashed foods, Baby begins to hold/pick up some foods to eat
- 9-12 months mashed, grated or small pieces of soft foods
|
