We have outlined a short example of Feeding Stages a baby may go through. Please keep in mind that the ages shown are age ranges. It is impossible to accurately reflect specific foods and feeding patterns for all infants; infants begin solid foods at differing ages and thus their progression into solid foods may differ greatly! Always remember that solids do not replace the necessary nutrients or breast milk and/or formula in the first 12 months of life!
(4)6-8 Months - Baby Let's Begin to Eat
"Baby" cereal and soft cooked thinly pureed fruits and veggies should be baby's first solid food experiences. Single ingredients only and at a space of 4 days apart with introducing each new food. You may skip the cereal and begin with a fruit like avocado or begin with a veggie like butternut squash or sweet potato
8-10 Months - We're Moving On!
Bring on some spices and the softly mashed, or chopped into fine pieces of fruits, vegetables, meats, pasta and dairy such as yogurt and cheeses. Pasta, veggies, and fruit should all be soft cooked and possibly mashed with a fork or masher. (Bananas need only be mashed.) Raw fruits are often introduced at this stage. Meats and proteins such as egg yolk, should be cooked and pureed or chopped into small soft bits. If offering Tofu, you need not cook it first. Ensure dairy offered is easily manageable!
Remember, baby will not have molars until sometime around the 12 month age range. Foods should be easily mashed between the gums!
11-12 Months - We're almost Toddlers now and we want to eat grown-up foods!
By this stage, your baby should be just on the brink of or is already eating "table foods". She may already love self-feeding and may enjoy a variety of spices in her cuisine. Encourage a healthy exploration of foods, tastes and textures as well as eating utensils.
Always keep in mind that certain foods may still pose an allergy or other type of reaction risk.
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