4
Starting Solids (6 to 12 Months)
Congratulations! You have made it through the first 6 months of parenting. It isn’t always easy, but as I am sure you are starting to see, it gets easier, especially as your baby becomes more active and interactive with you. One of the most memorable times you will have is baby’s first meal. So get the camera out, and let’s go! (Just remember, keep it low-key. You want baby relaxed and open to the new experience, not overwhelmed by paparazzi.)
This chapter will cover feeding baby solids from ages 6 months to 1 year. Since during this time baby is eating mostly purees, and parents and care-givers are feeding her, you can have a lot of fun with trying out different tastes and combinations. This chapter introduces what is happening with baby developmentally during this time. I touch on the basic milestones, but note that the “normal” age ranges for these are very broad. Baby development and milestone achievement is a lot more variable than fetal development (which is pretty similar for most healthy in utero babies from week to week), so this overview is just meant to give you an idea about what is happening or will happen soon. Don’t stress if you baby isn’t doing some of these things yet. He likely will any day or week now. Every baby develops at a slightly different pace. Some are early crawlers or walkers, and others hit these milestones a little later. But if you are worried at all about baby’s progress, be sure to bring it up with your pediatrician.
The primary focus of this section is to introduce each month’s nutrient of the month. It is important that baby have a well-rounded diet to get all of the nutrients she needs. And what better way to learn about how to do that than to highlight one each month so you can learn about which foods are best to incorporate into baby’s diet to make sure she doesn’t become deficient in anything? This chapter also lists foods high in each nutrient that you can include in baby’s diet, along with some specific amounts to give you some context. In addition, for each month, I’ll offer a few fun and easy-to-prepare recipes.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT The USDA has a great website that contains nutrition information for all of the food products out there. So if you are wondering how much iron is in the serving of peaches you are about to feed your little one, you can look it up! Check it out: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/
We have already covered some of the practical details, such as how much food baby needs and how thick the food should be at first, back in chapter 2. So if it’s been a while since you read it, flip back for a refresher before you actually start feeding baby. There, I outline how much baby needs to eat at different stages, and I offer a lot of practical tips on getting started with feeding your baby solid foods.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Remember, you should avoid foods your baby could choke on, including popcorn, raw vegetables and hard fruits, whole grapes, raisins, and nuts. Don’t forget, baby has no teeth yet (or only a few). He needs to learn to chew (masticate) the food with his gums and teeth and then be able to easily swallow it; so the softer, the better. You need to avoid giving food in a size that could block baby’s airway. Check out this page for more important information on preventing and responding to choking.
What Is Happening Developmentally? An Overview
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of feeding your baby, let’s take a moment to consider what is going on developmentally from 6 to 12 months. Not only is your baby growing rapidly in size, but her mind is quickly evolving, and she is acquiring new skills almost daily.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Considering that your baby is just starting to get a grasp on things—no pun intended—eating food on his own might still be a difficult task. It is important to find a balance between feeding your baby with a spoon and allowing him to experiment with grabbing food and bringing things to his mouth. One trick that worked for me (twice!) is to let baby have a spoon to hold, while you feed him with another spoon. Remember, early on, baby just wants to mimic what he sees you doing, so having a spoon to hold will make him happy! Later, as he gains more control over his motions, you can experiment with letting baby feed himself (just be prepared for the mess!).
WHAT IS BABY-LED WEANING?
Perhaps you’ve heard of a concept known as “baby-led weaning,” or BLW. With BLW, the idea is that your baby does all the work so you can forgo purees and weaning spoons and simply let your baby feed himself with finger foods. In theory, this sounds great—it means you can be more relaxed about feeding, and maybe even enjoy a meal yourself at the same time as your baby, since she is eating little bits of whatever you are eating. However, I do not think this is a wise practice to follow for babies between 6 and 12 months. Your little one is still in the process of learning how to use all of her new skills (like bringing food to and from her mouth and sitting up on her own). Plus, think about what you eat. Tiny bits of “adult” food that aren’t the proper consistency for baby can be hard to handle digestively, and they can pose a greater risk of choking. Also, unless you are a super-healthy eater yourself, letting baby eat what you’re eating might mean she gets more processed foods than she should. BLW has been associated with insufficient calorie intake, high salt intake, and inadequate iron intake—all of which can be detrimental to your baby in the long run. I do think there is a place for this practice later on, but it needs to be done safely and when baby is ready. If you are keen on BLW because of the idea of bringing the family together, note that many of the recipes that follow are family friendly. Think about it, if you add a dollop of crème fraîche to the Zucchini-Pea Puree with Mint recipe on this page, I bet your significant other will think it is some fancy soup recipe you’re trying out.
From 6 to 12 months, as your baby develops mentally, emotionally, and physically, she is constantly gaining new skills that allow her to explore the world in different ways (such as shaking, banging, poking, and dropping things). She is becoming much stronger and more independent.
By the time she reaches 12 months, your baby’s relationship with food has expanded beyond just being able to feed herself from a variety of healthy options provided by you. Now her relationship with food is strongly influenced by external factors like the eating environment and the presence of others at mealtimes. Not only is a 12-month-old likely able to drink from a cup and take things out of containers and put them back in, but she can also respond to simple requests and copy behavior that she sees. She tries to say words you say and mimics your gestures at the table. The key point here: a lot will be happening during these 6 months. Not only will you be training baby to eat healthy, nutritious foods, but you will also be establishing her food etiquette and manners. If you haven’t already, now is the best time for you and the rest of the family to begin modeling good eating behavior for your child.
WHICH FOODS SHOULD YOU START WITH?
This is really up to you. Most parents opt to start with a cereal, but there’s no rule that says you have to. You can start with vegetables if you like. However, as you will soon see, there is good reason not to skip the cereal.
Getting Started
Chapter 2 covered a lot of the details about getting started with feeding baby, so here I list just a few key points that are worth noting again.
•Between the ages of 6 and 12 months, baby is still getting all of his necessary nutrition and calories from breast milk and/or formula. You introduce foods during this time not for nutrition but more for fun and trying to get baby to like the taste of healthy foods. This is why foods during this phase are referred to as complementary. Solid foods complement the nutrition that baby is getting from breast milk or baby formula.
•In chapter 1, I noted that it can take up to 8 days to get a baby to prefer a taste, so don’t give up too easily or move on to the next food too quickly. For example, if you start with peas, try feeding your baby only peas (as the complement to breast milk or formula) for a week. He may or may not like something on the first try, but slow and persistent exposure is key to teaching him to accept solids and the actual food itself.
•Be mindful of the texture and thickness. Remember, baby is used to liquid, so whatever you feed him should be close to a liquid consistency when you start. You can gradually offer thicker textures and at some point add small, soft chunks, but for now the texture should be very thin (you can thin out fruits and veggies with formula, breast milk, or water).
•Don’t ever force anything on your baby, whether it’s a particular food she doesn’t like or the food she’s lost interest in before finishing all 4 ounces that you’ve prepared. Keep in mind that it is essential to respect your baby’s internal hunger cues. You can always take a break and try again later if baby seems fussy or disinterested in eating.
•Don’t forget that growing infants learn by copying, and research shows babies are more likely to eat foods they see their parents eating. So try to eat with baby to model behaviors you want to see from him.
What’s in Store?
Within a few months of introducing complementary solids, you should be able to feed your baby a variety of foods, in addition to breast milk or formula, such as meats and fish, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and eggs. As your baby develops, you will also be able to start moving on from purees to finger foods that are cut into small pieces, soft, and easy to swallow. You’ll want to wait until your baby is capable of sitting upright on her own and successfully bringing objects (like food) to her mouth, usually around 9 months or so. By 12 months, you should not be spoon-feeding your baby any more at all. It’s essential to time your introduction of finger foods according to your baby’s development and mastery of basic self-feeding skills. Introducing your baby to finger foods before she is ready may increase the risk of choking and not taking in adequate amounts of food (see baby-led weaning on this page). Some good early finger foods to try are cut-up banana; scrambled eggs; chopped-up hard-boiled eggs; well-cooked whole grains; pasta; well-cooked and chopped-up (ground) meats like chicken, lamb, or beef; and well-cooked veggies that are soft and easy to chew, like squashes, potatoes, and mushy carrots. You can also mash foods with a fork or blend them in a blender.
Last but not least, I want to emphasize again that it’s never too early to teach your child good eating habits. This includes, first and foremost, exposing your baby to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, eggs, and dairy. In addition, baby needs to learn the actual process of eating. I don’t mean just learning how to use a spoon or a cup, but also coming to recognize her own hunger cues, practicing good manners, and eating in a healthy mealtime environment.
HOW TO CREATE A HAPPY (AND HEALTHY) MEALTIME ENVIRONMENT
There is so much more to raising a healthy child than just food! Here are a few ideas.
•Have your baby eat meals with you and the whole family whenever possible.
•Make mealtimes a pleasant, sharing experience.
•Eat a wide variety of wholesome foods yourself; baby takes cues from you.
•Limit TV/screen/digital media time during mealtimes, and encourage baby to pay attention to eating and enjoying her food.
•If you have older kids, make it a rule: We sit when we eat (no running around playing and coming to the table just to graze). That way, baby doesn’t feel like she’s missing out on fun because she is strapped into a chair. Also, running around while eating is a leading cause of choking on food.
•As your baby begins to understand you more, practice good manners and set appropriate boundaries for mealtimes.
DOES ORDER MATTER?
Considering the connection between early feeding and food preferences later in life (flip back to this page for more on this), you may be wondering, “If I feed my baby sweet foods like fruits, will he develop a dislike for vegetables right away?” The answer is no! The order in which you introduce foods will not affect your child’s preferences. With early feeding, it’s not necessarily about the order; it’s about the variety and types of food you choose to give your little one, and the repetition. The health benefit of feeding baby a naturally sweet fruit is much different from (and far better than) feeding baby salty, mashed up french fries with sugary ketchup. And remember, as discussed previously, if baby seems to dislike the taste of a veggie or new food, you can pair it with a sweet fruit that she likes, and eventually be able to condition her to not need the fruit.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES?
If you are nervous about feeding baby because you are concerned about food allergies, you aren’t alone. Food allergies are a scary concern for most, if not all, parents. It certainly makes the introduction of new foods a stressful time, not knowing if your baby could have a potentially life-threatening response. Flip ahead to this page, which covers this topic in detail and offers advice on when you need to be alert to whether baby has allergies, and the stages when you should introduce foods that are common allergens (like peanuts or cow’s milk), based on the latest scientific findings.
What to Feed Your Baby:
A Month-by-Month Guide for 6 to 12 Months
Now that we’ve tackled some of the basics on beginning to feed your baby (again, refer back to chapter 2 for details on how much to feed baby, how often, and so on), let’s travel through the first 6 months of feeding your little one, month by month, to see how you can help baby grow big and strong by focusing on foods that are rich in the nutrients needed during this period. Throughout the rest of this chapter, I will highlight nutrients of the month and suggest a few foods rich in certain nutrients that are critical at this point to introduce to baby’s diet. I provide some recipes for each month, as well as suggestions for ways to ensure baby gets plenty of the needed nutrients.
There are several reasons why I list so many foods for each month, even though I advise giving baby each new food for 8 days before moving on to another one. First, this is a guide, and you are the master chef for your baby. I offer several options each month so you can pick and choose what you think baby would like (you know her best). Second, not all foods will require 8 days of exposure to get baby to accept them. She’s likely to embrace sweeter fruits more quickly than many vegetables and more tart fruits (so baby may love ripe pears, but balk at apricots at first). If you find that baby really seems to like a food, there’s no need to wait more than 3 days before trying something new. You do, however, want to wait at least 3 days to determine whether baby has a reaction to the food (say, an allergic reaction on her skin or a bad diaper rash). If, for example, you try several new foods at the same time, and baby develops a bad diaper rash, you won’t know which food may be the culprit.
At the end of each chapter in this part, I include sample menus for baby that incorporate some staple foods, as well as some of the delicious recipes included here. This way you will have lots of ideas for healthy ways to make sure baby is getting exposed to all of the nutritious foods he needs.
6 MONTHS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Pumping Iron. By 6 months, your baby already has a wide skill set in terms of social and emotional development, language and communication, cognitive skills, and motor skills. These include behaviors such as responding to other people’s emotions, looking at himself in the mirror, starting to bring things to his mouth, and showing curiosity about items that are out of reach. He can typically respond to a voice by turning toward it, and he’s even started to make repetitive vowel-consonant combinations (“goo-goo, ga-ga” is practice for “da-da” or “ma-ma”). Many babies will be upset if you take away a toy that they like, and they will work to get a toy they want by reaching for it. In terms of motor/physical development, your 6-month-old is just starting to be able to sit without support (just keep the pillows nearby, as he still tends to topple over sometimes), and he is gaining more control over his hands, like being able to pass items back and forth and put them in his mouth (which is why you need to keep small toys and other items out of reach). He may even be able to bear some weight on his legs. At this point, your baby is developing skills that go hand in hand with timing the introduction of complementary foods. As I’ve mentioned, what better time to start introducing new foods than when your baby is eager (and able) to explore?
NUTRIENT OF THE MONTH: IRON
Iron is necessary for red blood cell production and the transport of oxygen throughout the body. As mentioned on this page, babies are born with some iron stored in their bodies, and just as it is for adults, maintaining those iron stores is important for feeling and functioning at their best. Although breast milk has some iron, it is not enough to keep up with the demands of rapidly growing infants, and infants who are breastfed exclusively are at risk of iron deficiency if complementary feeding is not introduced at 6 months. Babies with a deficiency may experience slow weight gain, slower development, and irritability, accompanied by pale skin and a poor appetite.
For adults and older kids, it is relatively easy to get adequate iron from food. Iron is abundant in animal foods (red meat, poultry, seafood) and plant foods (dark leafy green vegetables, beans, dried fruits), as well as iron-fortified breads and pastas. However, since baby is new to eating solids and not exactly ready to order a hamburger, your best bet for this month is to focus on her getting iron from fortified cereals.
In addition to commercially available baby cereals (which are iron fortified), you can also make sure baby gets plenty of iron by offering him foods like peas or peaches, as well as trying the recipes that follow. Beans (cooked well, then pureed and thinned with breast milk, formula, or water) are also a great source of iron, but notice if they make baby gassy and uncomfortable. Tip: If you are using canned beans, rinse them thoroughly with water before serving; this flushes away a lot of the carbohydrates that we can’t break down that can cause gas. Some additional ideas to get more iron in baby include 1 cup pureed white beans (8 mg), ½ cup pureed lentils (3 mg), and 3 ounces ground lamb, pureed (2.3 mg). Other great sources of iron are mentioned on this page.
BABY OATMEAL
MAKES ABOUT ½ CUP
Oats are a great grain to start with because they are naturally high in iron. You can process rolled oats (not quick-cooking or instant) into a fine powder in the blender or food processor for a smooth fiber- and mineral-rich baby cereal that you can mix with fruit or vegetable puree as baby is introduced to more foods.
¼ cup rolled oats
⅔ cup water
Put the oats in a blender or food processor and process to a fine powder.
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in the oatmeal powder and lower the heat. Cook, stirring continually, until the water is absorbed and the cereal is thickened and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. (If it’s too thick, thin with a little cool water, breast milk, or formula.) Let it cool to room temperature before feeding baby.
Make ahead: Process a few cups of oats at a time and store the powder in a jar so that you can quickly cook individual portions. For toddlers and older kids, you can process the powder a little more coarsely and use this instead of quick-cooking oats, which have been processed to remove their nutritious outer hull, or instant oats, which often have lots of added sugar.
BABY BARLEY CEREAL
MAKES ABOUT ¾ CUP
Barley is an iron-rich, nutty-tasting grain packed with fiber and a variety of other important nutrients. It is a nice change from rice cereal or oats, and it pairs deliciously with savory foods like veggies or Zucchini-Pea Puree with Mint (this page). Use a powerful blender to grind the dry barley into a fine powder.
¼ cup pearled barley
1 cup water
Put the dry barley in a blender or food processor and process to a fine powder, 3 to 4 minutes.
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in the barley powder and lower the heat. Cook, stirring continually, until the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. (If it’s too thick, thin with a little cool water, breast milk, or formula.) Let it cool to room temperature before feeding baby.
Make ahead: You can grind up a few cups of the barley powder in small batches and store it in a jar in the refrigerator so that you can cook single servings of cereal quickly. When you want to prepare a serving, use 1 part barley powder to 3 parts water.
ZUCCHINI-PEA PUREE WITH MINT
MAKES ABOUT 1½ CUPS
Make baby’s first blend a nutritional powerhouse! Lightened up with summer squash (zucchini), sweet green peas make an iron-, folate-, and vitamins C and K–rich puree for baby. A brief steaming preserves the vegetables’ nutrients and bright color.
1 medium zucchini, washed and ends trimmed
1 fresh mint leaf
1 cup fresh or frozen sweet green peas
Slice the zucchini into 1-inch rounds. Tear the stem and center rib from the mint leaf.
Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the zucchini in the steamer, cover, and steam until tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a food processor.
Place the peas in the steamer, cover, and steam until tender, 5 to 6 minutes for fresh and about 2 minutes for frozen. Spoon the peas into the bowl of the food processor. Let the vegetables cool to room temperature.
Add the mint leaf to the vegetables and process to a smooth puree, adding a few tablespoons of water as necessary to get a smooth consistency before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
BLENDS?
You may be wondering when it is okay to start mixing foods. The answer is: right away! While most people start off feeding baby single-food purees, that isn’t really necessary. I advise starting with a few single-food purees; then you can branch out with blends and others mixtures. Remember, blending different fruits and vegetables can enhance the taste and make it easier for baby to develop a liking for some of those more bitter (yet oh-so-nutritious) vegetables.
7 MONTHS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Peekaboo! The games have officially begun! By this age, your baby actively engages in hiding games, and you may find yourself playing peekaboo pretty regularly throughout the day. Baby finds it absolutely fascinating that you can cover an object and he can “find” it. Baby is also more sensitive to the nuances of tones, so if you raise your voice, don’t be surprised if baby cries.
Physically, baby can most likely sit unassisted at this point (if he can’t, don’t worry—he’ll get there at his own pace). And many babies are on the move, via either creeping, crawling, or rolling around on their bellies all over the house.
NUTRIENT OF THE MONTH: CARBOHYDRATES
Make sure baby gets enough of the healthy carbohydrates she needs to keep up with her increasing activity. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for infants, and you don’t want baby running on empty! As noted on this page, carbo-hydrates are needed not only to maintain proper hormonal balance but also to assist in proper energy balance. The proper balance of carbohydrates helps your baby sustain her energy level evenly throughout the day, so she isn’t going from sugar rush to sugar crash. And with all the energy baby is using now, we want to make sure to keep up a steady supply!
It is easy to make sure baby gets enough carbohydrates; the challenge is to make sure these are from healthy, nutritious sources. Try to opt for fruits and vegetables in addition to cereals as carbohydrate sources. That way, baby is getting plenty of other nutrients, and also trying out new tastes.
Some baby-friendly higher-carbohydrate foods include 1 cup cooked, pureed oatmeal, unsweetened (30 g); 1 cup cooked, pureed brown rice (45 g); ½ cup mashed and pureed sweet potatoes (15 g); ½ cup well-mashed (or pureed) chickpeas (15 g); 1 medium (the size of a baseball) pear or apple, pureed (15 g); ½ pureed ripe banana (15 g); 1 cup whole-grain baby cereal (15 to 20 g); and ½ cup steamed and pureed peas (10 to 15 g).
In addition to getting carbohydrates from these healthy sources, try the following recipes.
SMOOTH SWEET POTATO PUREE
MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP
Sweet potatoes are packed with healthy carbohydrates, as well as vitamins A, B6, and C. Their naturally sweet flavor and creamy texture make them an appealing early choice for baby. Once baby gets used to the flavor of sweet potatoes on their own, mix sweet potato puree with a little apple or pear puree.
Bake several sweet potatoes at once so that you (and the rest of the family) can enjoy them for lunch or dinner, too. (For adults and older kids, try them sliced lengthwise and topped with black beans, salsa, a spoonful of yogurt, and a squeeze of lime.)
One 8- to 12-ounce sweet potato
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Scrub the sweet potato well with a vegetable brush under running water. Prick in several places with a sharp paring knife, then place on a baking sheet or pan. Bake until very soft when you pierce it with a knife, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
Slice the sweet potato in half lengthwise, scoop the cooked potato from the skin, and place in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth; add a little water as necessary to get a smooth consistency. (Discard the skin or, since it is so nutritious, you may want to use as shells to stuff for an older kid or an adult.)
When baby is ready to handle a little more texture, you can mash the sweet potato coarsely with a fork, and eventually graduate to offering her small soft pieces to feed herself.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
APPLE-PEAR PUREE
MAKES ABOUT 2½ CUPS
Apple-pear sauce is full of healthy carbohydrates and vitamin C, and it’s sweet and easy on the tummy. Mix it with a little rice cereal, baby oatmeal, or barley cereal for variety.
1½ pounds pears
1½ pounds apples
Peel and core the pears and apples and cut them into 1-inch chunks.
Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the chunks in the steamer, cover and steam until the fruit is very soft when you pierce it with a knife, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool.
Transfer the fruit to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding a few tablespoons of water as necessary to get the right texture.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
BANANA MASH
MAKES ABOUT ½ CUP
Naturally sweet and creamy, and conveniently portable, bananas are an ideal choice for one of baby’s first foods. They’re packed with potassium and carbohydrates and C and B vitamins. Choose ripe bananas; they’re sweeter and softer to mash. As baby grows, you can make this puree chunkier; eventually you can give baby small cubes of banana. Banana mash doesn’t store well, so make small batches for baby to eat that day.
1 ripe banana
Peel the banana and break into chunks. Place in a bowl and mash well with a fork. Add water if needed to thin the mixture to the right consistency before feeding baby.
CARROT-CHICKPEA MASH WITH CUMIN
MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP
Chickpeas are a super-legume: they’re packed with healthy carbohydrates, folate, protein, and iron. Blending chickpeas with carrot is a nice way to introduce baby to their mellow, nutty flavor. When baby is old enough for dipping pita triangles, this mixture will make a great dip brightened up with a spoonful of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
2 small carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch rounds
½ cup drained canned or cooked dried chickpeas
⅛ teaspoon cumin
Bring several inches of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the carrots in the steamer, cover, and steam until they are very soft when you pierce them with a knife, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
Combine the carrots, chickpeas, and cumin in a blender or food processor and pulse to a smooth puree. Add a few tablespoons of water as needed to get the right consistency before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
8 MONTHS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Now You See Me; Now You Don’t! Remember those days when you could put baby on the floor and know he would stay put? Those days are pretty much gone now. Baby is on the move, and that means he is getting his hands on more and more things around your house (and thus is encountering more germs).
Speaking of “seeing,” baby is now seeing the world a lot more clearly. When he was born, he saw the world in shades of gray, but now his vision has developed and his eyes are working together to judge distance and focus on tasks. You may even notice that baby’s irises are changing color at this point.(For some, those baby blues weren’t meant to last.)
NUTRIENT OF THE MONTH: VITAMIN A
Keeping baby healthy is every parent’s top priority. This Page outlined why having baby consume a diet that is adequate in vitamin A not only is important for growth but also helps combat infections. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant, important for cell growth and differentiation, vision, and immunity. Foods rich in vitamin A include fish oil, orange vegetables (sweet potato, pumpkin, squash, carrots), spinach, apricots, and fortified cereals. Some additional options for getting baby enough vitamin A include ½ baked sweet potato (about 700 mcg RAE), ½ cup well-cooked carrots (about 460 mcg), 1 large hard-boiled egg (75 mcg), 1 cup cooked and pureed black-eyed peas (66 mcg), and 3 ounces salmon (60 mcg).
In addition to trying the vitamin A–rich foods noted here and previously, your baby can get it from these delicious dishes.
CANTALOUPE-NECTARINE PUREE
MAKES ABOUT 1½ CUPS
Summer brings an abundance of fresh fruits with plenty of vitamins A and C, like nectarines and sweet cantaloupe. Make this tangy fruit puree in the peak of the season when fresh nectarines and cantaloupe are sweet and juicy. Substitute peaches or plums for nectarines, if you have them. Sweet honeydew melon and tart kiwi fruit are another good combination; the kiwi can be peeled and pureed without steaming.
1 ripe nectarine, halved and pitted
1 cup cubed cantaloupe
Bring about an inch of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the nectarine in the steamer, cover, and steam until the fruit is soft when you pierce it with a knife and the skins are loose, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool. Remove the skin with a sharp paring knife.
Place the nectarine and cantaloupe in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
MANGO-BANANA PUREE
MAKES ABOUT ¾ CUP
Sweet juicy mango is likely to be one of baby’s early favorite fruits. This smooth, tropical blend offers baby vitamin A, along with potassium, fiber, and vitamins C and B6. Look for mangoes that are heavy for their size and fragrant and yield to gentle pressure. Banana puree doesn’t store well, so make small batches for baby to eat that day.
½ ripe mango
½ ripe banana
Peel, pit, and cube the mango. Peel and slice the banana. Place in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth, adding a little water as needed to get the right consistency before feeding baby.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUREE
MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS
Orange-fleshed winter squashes, including butternut, are naturally sweet and full of vitamin A and important antioxidants. But don’t stop at butternut! Other good choices are the green-skinned Japanese pumpkin, kabocha, and its reddish-orange cousin, kuri squash. All have dense, sweet flesh that makes a smooth, versatile puree. Avoid your typical American jack-o’-lantern pumpkin, as most varieties are watery and stringy. Also, canned pumpkin puree is very highly processed, and it is much tastier to prepare your own with a delicious winter squash.
1 winter squash (about 1½ pounds)
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Using a large sharp knife, cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and place the halves cut-side down in a baking pan. Add about ½ inch of water to the pan and cover with aluminum foil.
Bake until the squash is very soft when you pierce it with a knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool completely. Scoop out the flesh from the rind and transfer to a blender or food processor. Process until smooth before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
MASHED KABOCHA SQUASH WITH PEAR AND CINNAMON
MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS
Pear and winter squash make a hearty pairing that’s packed with vitamins A and C and fiber.
1 small kabocha squash
1½ pounds pears
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Using a large sharp knife, cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and place the halves cut-side down in a baking pan. Add about a ½ inch of water to the pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake until the squash is very soft when you pierce it with a knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool completely.
Meanwhile, peel and core the pears and cut them into 1-inch chunks.
Bring several inches of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the pears in the steamer, cover, and steam until the fruit is very soft when you pierce it with a knife, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool completely.
Scoop out the squash flesh from the rind. Place the squash and pears in a blender or food processor with the cinnamon. Process until smooth, adding a few tablespoons of water as necessary to get the right consistency before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
9 MONTHS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Growth Spurt. By 9 months, you may notice your baby is showing a wider variety of emotions, such as fear around strangers and affection toward familiar adults. Your baby likely has favorite toys and even understands the meaning of “No.” She’s also finding it easier to handle food—it’s likely that your little tot can seamlessly pass things back and forth between her hands and more successfully pick up little pieces of food with her thumb and index finger.
NUTRIENT OF THE MONTH: FAT
Passing objects between both hands isn’t as easy as it looks. You need brains to do it. And the fuel for your brain comes from fats. You have probably heard a lot about your child needing omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA for proper brain development and function. It is so true! Here are two baby-friendly sources of these healthy fats you might want to try: ½ avocado (15 g heart-healthy fat), or 1 tablespoon creamy (not crunchy) peanut butter swirled into a baked apple or other pureed fruit (8 g, with 25 percent of the total fat being polyunsaturated). Note: It is best to mix nut butter with other soft foods at this age, as the texture may still be too thick for baby to handle. For more information on why baby needs fat in her diet, as well as other sources, refer back to this page.
You can also get fats from the healthful sources in these recipes.
PEACHES AND CREAM YOGURT
MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP
As baby branches out into new flavors, give ripe peaches a try, mixed with healthy fat–rich whole-milk yogurt for added calcium, protein, and vitamin B12. Mixing your own yogurt and fruit is a good way to offer baby a chance to get used to the flavor of fruit yogurt without all the added sugar of commercial types. This recipe makes more than enough for you and baby to share, or store for a second meal.
1 ripe peach, halved and peeled
½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
A few drops alcohol-free vanilla extract (optional)
Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the peach in the steamer, cover, and steam until the fruit is soft when you pierce it with a knife and the skins are loose, 4 to 6 minutes. Let cool.
Use a sharp paring knife to remove the peach skins. Mash the peach with a fork to the consistency that’s right for your baby. Spoon the yogurt into a bowl and stir in the vanilla (if using). Top with the peach.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze individual portions of mashed peach for up to 3 months.
WHEN CAN YOU START YOGURT?
You may have heard from your pediatrician that baby should not have cow’s milk until after age 1 year. But what about yogurt? Between 7 and 8 months is a good time to introduce yogurt to baby. Even though it is made from cow’s milk, yogurt is gentler on baby’s tummy due to the probiotics it contains, which make it more digestible. Opt for the full-fat variety (remember, babies need fat for brain development), as this is considered “good” fat, and avoid ones with added sugars. Yogurt naturally contains sugar (lactose), but many fruit-added yogurts also have added sugar that your baby does not need. If your baby does not like the plain variety, try adding your own pureed fruit to a plain full-fat yogurt. Also, you can experiment with different textures, like Greek or Icelandic yogurt, which are strained and so much thicker (and higher in protein!); just make sure it isn’t too thick for your baby to handle.
AVOCADO MASH
MAKES ABOUT ⅓ CUP
Avocados are a nutritional powerhouse, high in healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and folate. Avocado mash won’t store well, so make yourself a snack and spread any remaining on toast and top with a slice of tomato, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt, then enjoy.
½ medium ripe avocado, halved and pitted
Scoop the flesh of the avocado from the peel into a bowl and mash well with a fork. Add water (or formula) if needed to thin the mixture to the right consistency before feeding baby.
BROCCOLI-POTATO CHOWDER WITH WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE
MAKES ABOUT 4 CUPS
This quick hearty soup starring vitamin K–rich broccoli is a source of vitamin C and folate. Baby will benefit from the healthy fat in the cheese.
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup finely chopped yellow onion
Pinch of sea salt
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water
¾ pound Yukon gold or other yellow potatoes, peeled and diced
¾ pound broccoli florets, roughly chopped
¼ cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and salt. Lower the heat and stir frequently until the onion is soft and golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
Add the chicken broth and potatoes to the pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook uncovered for 10 minutes more, until the broccoli and potato are tender. Let cool slightly.
Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor. Process in batches until smooth; return the soup to the pot. Reheat until bubbling, then remove from the heat. Stir in the cheese until melted, and then serve.
10 MONTHS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Those Pearly Whites. By 10 months, baby is most likely crawling, cruising around the furniture or pulling himself up on things. It is a very active time, for both you and him! His hand-eye coordination is getting better by the day, but he still explores a lot of his world by mouth, which is why it is even more important to keep coins and other small items out of reach. And while we are speaking of mouths, baby is actively growing new teeth at this point, so we want to make sure these arrive—and remain—healthy.
NUTRIENT OF THE MONTH: VITAMIN C
Everyone knows about the immune-protecting benefits of vitamin C, so getting the right amount of it is essential to making sure baby stays healthy and fights off those nasty cold and flu viruses. Now that baby is crawling all over the place, germs are a part of life. But did you know that vitamin C is also important to growing strong teeth? Adequate levels of vitamin C keep gums healthy. However, vitamin C can sometimes be tricky to get for little ones. Oranges are known for their high levels of vitamin C, but they tend to be acidic and not very baby-friendly texture-wise. Also, if you are sticking to a no-juice regimen (which is recommended; see this page), then you may have to get creative to make sure baby is getting enough vitamin C. Some vitamin C–packed food ideas you can try with your baby include 1 cup finely chopped ripe cantaloupe (57 mg vitamin C), ½ cup finely cut strawberries (50 mg), and ½ cup chopped ripe tomatoes (17 mg—just make sure the skin pieces are cut well). For more ideas on vitamin C sources for baby, as well as its other benefits, flip back to chapter 3.
APPLE-BEET SAUCE WITH GINGER
MAKES ABOUT 1½ CUPS
Beets may have a bad rap with some adults, but cooked baby beets are earthy and sweet. Plus they’re a good source of folate, which continues to be important for brain development. Mixing beets with apple into a vibrant pink puree is a good way to introduce baby to their flavor. Also, the combination of beets and apples gives baby a healthy dose of vitamin C.
4 baby beets
2 apples
¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the green tops and trim the stem ends from the beets. Scrub the beets well.
Place the beets in a small baking pan and fill the pan with about ½ inch of water, then cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake until the beets are very soft when you pierce them with a knife, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool and then use a paring knife to peel the beets. Cut them into halves or quarters.
Meanwhile, peel, core, and slice the apples. Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the apples in the steamer, cover, and steam until soft, about 5 minutes.
Combine the beets, apples, and ginger in a food processor. Puree until smooth, adding water a tablespoon at a time as necessary for the right consistency, before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
ZOODLES WITH CREAMY PESTO
MAKES ABOUT 4 CUPS
Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, are a fun alternative to pasta. Gently mixed with a simple basil pesto, they make a tasty vitamin C–filled lunch or side dish that adults and older kids will like, too. A spiralizer is an inexpensive gadget that makes corkscrew-curly vegetable noodles. You can also make zucchini noodles using a vegetable peeler.
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, peeled
Sea salt
3 pounds zucchini
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
In a food processor, whirl together the basil, ¼ cup olive oil, water, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of salt until a smooth pesto sauce forms.
Rinse and dry the zucchini and trim both ends. Using a spiralizer, cut the zucchini into noodles. (If you don’t have a spiral cutter, you can use a peeler to shave each zucchini into wide, thin ribbons.) Chop the pile of zucchini noodles a few times so that you have shorter strands.
In a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, warm the remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add the zucchini noodles and sprinkle them lightly with salt. Cook, stirring often, until the noodles are bright green and softened, 5 to 6 minutes.
Toss the noodles gently with the pesto sauce. Mound in bowls and cut into small pieces or mash to a texture your baby can handle. Top with the Parmesan cheese before serving.
COCONUT MILK RICE PUDDING WITH CRUSHED RASPBERRIES
MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS
This creamy sweet treat is made with coconut milk and topped with raspberries, which add vitamin C.
1 cup water
⅓ cup jasmine rice
1½ cups light coconut milk
2½ tablespoons sugar
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons cornstarch
⅛ teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup fresh or thawed frozen raspberries
Place the water and rice in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is soft, about 20 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of the sugar and bring to a simmer.
In a small bowl, stir together the egg yolk, cornstarch, vanilla, and remaining ½ tablespoon sugar into a smooth paste. Whisk a little bit of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture until smooth and then stir the egg mixture into the hot milk.
Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, allowing the mixture to bubble for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and spoon the mixture into bowls or ramekins. Place a piece of wax paper directly on the surface of each serving to prevent a skin from forming. Chill until cool, about 2 hours. Mash the raspberries with a fork and spoon them over the top before serving.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
11 MONTHS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Warm Up the Walking Shoes. Baby is most likely getting ready to walk. Even before they walk, some babies might start to climb, so watch out if you have one of these daredevils. And babies this age love to open and close cabinets, so make sure you have these secured. Cognitively, baby is likely now showing you her budding personality, be it shy and reserved or wild and adventurous. She probably expresses her preferences for certain toys and activities. Some babies at this age look like they are entering the terrible twos, and they will cry and protest if you take them away from a toy or something they are enjoying. Some babies can even say “No” (usually not verbally yet, but by head-shaking), so you may hear (or see) that a lot. Baby is also like a sponge when it comes to language. She can understand a lot more than she can express. So be sure to continue to point out and name objects with her, as it will help her learn to speak soon. Babies at this age love to copy you, and they learn by mimicking. Whether it is brushing her hair or wiping up a spill, baby wants to do what you do, and will show you by being your little copycat!
Nutrient of the Month: Vitamin B12
Babies who don’t get enough vitamin B12 risk developing a deficiency. In milder cases, this can involve numbness or tingling in the hands and feet (which could affect walking); in extreme cases, this can result in severe neurological problems. Signs of deficiency tend to show up between 6 and 12 months and usually not before 4 months. Babies are at risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency if they eat little amounts of animal foods, and/or their mother was vegan during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Vitamin B12 is abundant in animal foods, like meat, fish, and dairy, but is low in human milk and basically nonexistent in plant foods (with the exception of soy foods); this is why vegan mothers should be alert to a possible deficiency in this vitamin, and talk to their doctor about using a supplement. Here are some foods that will help get baby the vitamin B12 she needs: 3 ounces canned tuna (2.5 mcg), 3 ounces haddock (1.8 mcg), and 1 large egg (0.6 mcg) scrambled with 1 ounce Swiss cheese (1.5 mcg). If your baby doesn’t like fish yet or is tired of eggs, try fortified cereals; most have 1.5 mcg per serving.
EDAMAME-AVOCADO PUREE
MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP
This mildly flavored, vitamin B12 power puree introduces baby to the flavor of edamame, which will be a favorite finger food later. Steam the edamame until very tender to get a smooth puree.
1 cup frozen, shelled, unsalted edamame
½ ripe avocado
Bring an inch or so of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the edamame in the steamer, cover, and steam until the beans are soft when you pierce them with a knife and the skins are loose, 8 to 10 minutes.
Transfer the edamame to a food processor. Process, adding a few tablespoons of water at a time as needed to get a smooth consistency. Add the avocado and process until smooth before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
TURKEY-APPLE PUREE
MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP
Ground turkey leg and thigh meat is a good source of protein and important B vitamins, including B12. Pureeing it with apples or sweet winter squash is a good way to introduce baby to its flavor and texture.
½ pound ground turkey
3 tablespoons water
⅓ cup applesauce
In a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the turkey with the water, crumbling the meat with a spatula as it cooks, until it is no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool completely, reserving the cooking liquid.
Transfer the turkey in a blender or food processor. Process, adding as much of the cooking liquid as you need to make a smooth puree. Spoon into a bowl and stir in the applesauce before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
CHUNKY CHICKEN AND WHITE BEANS
MAKES ABOUT 1½ CUPS
This is an easy protein- and B vitamin–packed lunch or dinner to make when you have a cooked chicken and canned beans on hand. For babies who aren’t yet ready for a chunky mixture, you can puree this mixture in the food processor until smooth.
1 boned, skinned chicken breast half (5 to 6 ounces)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup drained canned or cooked dried white (cannellini) beans
½ cup chicken broth or water
1 fresh basil leaf, finely chopped
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a small baking pan or line it with aluminum foil.
Place the chicken in the prepared pan and drizzle with the olive oil. Bake until the chicken is opaque in the center (cut to test), about 25 minutes. Let cool completely. Use a sharp knife to slice thinly across the grain and then finely mince the slices.
Combine the beans and chicken broth in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mash the beans well with a fork and stir in the chicken and basil before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
12 MONTHS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Happy Birthday! It’s the best birthday celebration ever! You made it through the first year! Congrats! Baby is well on her way to walking and talking, and each day more and more of her personality shines through. Most 1-year-olds can stand alone, and some may have even taken those precious first few steps.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT It is amazing to reflect on how much baby has grown in just one short year. His body weight has likely tripled, and his brain is approximately 60 percent of its adult size!
NUTRIENT OF THE MONTH: ZINC
Zinc is the perfect nutrient to highlight for month 12, to top off the first year of life and take your baby successfully into the second. For the first twelve months, breast milk, formula, or both should provide enough zinc to meet your baby’s needs. After the first year, when it is likely that you are no longer relying on breast milk and/or formula, zinc should come from other foods, like meats, beans, dairy, whole grains, and fortified breakfast cereals. As noted on this page, zinc is a trace mineral that plays an important role in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, and infants who are zinc-deficient can exhibit slowed growth, in addition to lethargy and delayed motor skills. Make sure baby is getting enough calories from a variety of foods to maintain a good balance of zinc. Here are some examples of ways baby can easily get the amount of zinc she needs: ½ cup wheat germ (10 mg; try mixing it with yogurt), 3 ounces ground beef (7 mg), 3 ounces shredded dark chicken meat (2.4 mg), 1 cup pureed cooked Swiss chard (0.7 mg), or 1 tablespoon tahini (0.6 mg; try this mixed with quinoa or rice).
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER-POTATO MASH
MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP
Don’t overlook cauliflower! This humble vegetable may be pale but it’s a surprising source of vitamins C and K, and it gives this smooth potato puree extra nutrients and flavor. Be sure to steam the cauliflower and potatoes until very tender so they are easily mashed. This delicious dish also gives baby a healthy dose of zinc from the potato.
¾ pound cauliflower florets, cut into ½-inch chunks
¼ pound Yukon gold or other thin-skinned potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks
¼ teaspoon mild curry powder
Bring several inches of water to a boil in a pan fitted with a steamer. Place the cauliflower and potatoes in the steamer, cover, and steam until both vegetables are tender when you pierce them with a knife, 7 to 9 minutes.
Transfer the vegetables to a bowl and add the curry powder; mash until smooth—or transfer to a food processor and pulse, adding water, a few tablespoons at a time, as necessary to get the consistency you want—before feeding baby.
To store: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH–WHOLE WHEAT SHELLS AND CHEESE
MAKES ABOUT 8 CUPS
Creamy, cheesy squash pasta? Yes, please! Winter squash adds some vitamins and sweetness to a classic macaroni and cheese recipe that is quick to make and appealing for all ages. And don’t underestimate the power of the cheese, which gives baby a good amount of zinc. Mash baby’s portion of these soft, saucy pasta shells to the consistency he can handle before serving.
1 pound dried whole-wheat pasta shells
1½ tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1½ cups milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
⅓ cup winter squash or pumpkin puree
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Add the cheese, squash, salt, and nutmeg to the pan and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add to the pasta and mix well before serving.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARROT CUPCAKES
MAKES 12 CUPCAKES
Happy birthday! These cupcakes have no chunks, just moist, vanilla-flavored spice cake and tender shredded carrots. If you want to serve these as a snack, the cream cheese frosting is optional, but cream cheese is a good way to get extra zinc into baby’s diet. Cooled, unfrosted cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day, or frozen for up to one month. Frosted cupcakes can be stored at cool room temperature for up to one day.
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ pound carrots, peeled and grated
2 eggs
¼ cup buttermilk
⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting (this page; optional)
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a large bowl, combine the carrots, eggs, buttermilk, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Whisk until well blended. Stir in the flour mixture until well combined.
Spoon the batter evenly into the lined cups. Bake until a wood skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 25 to 28 minutes.
Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then gently transfer the cupcakes from the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting, if desired, before serving.
Cream Cheese Frosting
For a smooth frosting, be sure your cream cheese and butter are soft.
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¾ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
In a bowl with a handheld mixer on high speed, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the butter until thoroughly blended. Use immediately.
By now, your baby is well on her way to becoming an independent eater. By following the nutritional information in this chapter, you have started her off on the right foot with her eating habits. On the following pages is a trio of sample menus to help baby develop a taste for wholesome, nutritious foods. And in the next chapter, we will discuss which foods you can encourage baby to eat now that she is a toddler and ready for finger foods.
Sample Menus for Ages 6 to 12 Months
These sample menus can give you some ideas for how to combine foods for baby. Feel free to mix and match to baby’s preference, as this is just a guide. Breast milk or formula plus…
