As you begin choosing finger foods for your baby, check out the following ideas:
- Steamed veggies like sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas
- Soft, ripe fruits like bananas, berries, peaches (peeled), mangoes (peeled)
- Whole-grain breakfast cereals (without nuts, clusters, or chunks)
- Whole-grain pasta (cooked well)
- Whole-wheat bread
- Soft meats like chicken
- Cheese (mild)
- Scrambled eggs.
Full Answer
How do you feed a newborn baby?
Feeding a newborn is a round-the-clock commitment. It's also an opportunity to begin forming a bond with the newest member of your family. Consider these tips for feeding a newborn. 1. Stick with breast milk or formula Breast milk is the ideal food for babies — with rare exceptions. If breast-feeding isn't possible, use infant formula.
What can I give my 8 month old baby to eat?
Offer finely chopped finger foods. By ages 8 months to 10 months, most babies can handle small portions of finely chopped finger foods, such as soft fruits, vegetables, pasta, cheese, well-cooked meat, baby crackers and dry cereal. What if my baby refuses his or her first feeding?
What are the best finger foods for babies?
As you begin choosing finger foods for your baby, check out the following ideas: Steamed veggies like sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas Soft, ripe fruits like bananas, berries, peaches (peeled), mangoes (peeled) Whole-grain breakfast cereals (without nuts, clusters, or chunks) Scrambled eggs.
What are the best foods to introduce to my Baby first?
If you've already introduced solids in the form of purees (as opposed to baby-led weaning), start offering finger foods that have been well-received in pureed form, serving them up in manageable cubes or chunks — pea-size for firmer items, marble-size for softer foods.
Stick With Breast Milk Or Formula
Breast milk is the ideal food for babies — with rare exceptions. If breast-feeding isn't possible, use infant formula. Healthy newborns don't need...
Feed Your Newborn on Demand
Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours.Look for early signs of hunger, such as stirring and str...
Consider Vitamin D Supplements
Ask your baby's doctor about vitamin D supplements for the baby, especially if you're breast-feeding. Breast milk might not provide enough vitamin...
Expect Variations in Your Newborn's Eating Patterns
Your newborn won't necessarily eat the same amount every day. During growth spurts — often at two to three weeks after birth and again at six weeks...
Trust Your Instincts — and Your Newborn's
You might worry that your newborn isn't eating enough, but babies usually know just how much they need. Don't focus on how much, how often or how r...
Consider Each Feeding A Time to Bond With Your Newborn
Hold your newborn close during each feeding. Look him or her in the eye. Speak with a gentle voice. Use each feeding as an opportunity to build you...
Know When to Ask For Help
If you're having trouble breast-feeding, ask a lactation consultant or your baby's doctor for help — especially if every feeding is painful or your...
Is Your Baby Ready For solid Foods?
Breast milk or formula is the only food your newborn needs, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the firs...
What If My Baby Refuses His Or Her First feeding?
This is not unusual. Babies often reject their first servings of pureed foods because the taste and texture is new. If your baby refuses the feedin...
What About Food Allergies?
To help prevent food allergies, parents were once told to avoid feeding young children highly allergenic foods such as eggs, fish, peanuts and tree...
Preparing Baby Food at Home
Another reason to avoid giving your baby solid food before age 4 months is the risk associated with certain home-prepared foods. A baby younger tha...
How much food should a baby eat?
Within a few months, your baby will be ready for a variety of foods and one to two meals a day. By 8 to 12 months old, you may have an enthusiastic eater who enjoys plenty of soft finger foods ...
How many meals should a 8 month old eat?
By 8 months, it's typical for your baby to be eating one to two meals a day. Whenever you introduce a new food, start with a very small amount (a teaspoon or two) to allow your baby to get used to a new flavor and texture.
How to tell if a child is ready to eat solid food?
Your child is likely ready to try solids when he: Can hold his head up and sit upright in a highchair. Shows significant weight gain (doubled birth weight) and weighs at least 13 pounds.
How old is a baby when he starts solids?
Age: 4 to 6 months. Age: 6 to 8 months. Age: 8 to 12 months. Use this baby feeding guide to find out what and how much to feed your child in the first year. The amounts are general recommendations only, so don't worry if your little one eats a bit more or less than suggested. It's always a good idea to discuss your plan for starting solids ...
What are the toxic metals in baby food?
If she has an adverse reaction, a food log will make it easier to pinpoint the cause. Unsafe levels of toxic heavy metals – arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury – have been found in store-bought baby food (including in organic brands). Learn how to avoid heavy metals in baby food.
When should babies start eating?
By 8 months or so, babies often have three meals and start adding snacks. Continue to offer a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein-rich foods. As your baby's eating skills improve, gradually introduce more textures and soft finger foods.
Can you start with cereal?
And while cereal is a traditional first food in the United States, it's fine to start with pureed fruits, vegetables, or meat instead. In most cases, you don't even have to wait to introduce highly allergenic foods like eggs, fish, and peanuts. (Read more about food allergies and ask your doctor to be sure.) Also, see our new rules ...
How to feed a newborn?
Breast milk is the ideal food for babies — with rare exceptions. If breast-feeding isn't possible, use infant formula. Healthy newborns don't need cereal, water, juice or other fluids. 2. Feed your newborn on cue.
How many feedings should a newborn have?
Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours. Look for early signs of readiness to feed, such as moving the hands to the mouth, sucking on fists and fingers, and lip smacking. Fussing and crying are later cues.
What to do if you have trouble breast feeding?
If you're having trouble breast-feeding, ask a lactation consultant or your baby's doctor for help — especially if every feeding is painful or your baby isn't gaining weight. If you haven't worked with a lactation consultant, ask your baby's doctor for a referral or check with the obstetrics department at a local hospital.
When do babies eat more?
Your newborn won't necessarily eat the same amount every day. During growth spurts — often at two to three weeks after birth — your newborn might take more at each feeding or want to be fed more often. Respond to early signs of hunger, rather than keeping a strict eye on the clock. 5.
Can a newborn eat enough?
You might worry that your newborn isn't eating enough, but babies usually know just how much they need. Don't focus on how much, how often or how regularly your newborn eats. Instead, look for:
What to feed a baby with arsenic?
Offer a variety of single-grain cereals such as rice, oatmeal or barley. Avoid feeding your baby only rice cereal due to possible exposure to arsenic. Add vegetables and fruits. Gradually introduce single-ingredient pureed vegetables and fruits that contain no sugar or salt.
How to teach a baby to play with food?
Your baby is likely to play with his or her food. Make sure that finger foods are soft, easy to swallow and broken down into small pieces. Introduce utensils. Offer your baby a spoon to hold while you feed him or her with another spoon. As your baby's dexterity improves, encourage your baby to use a spoon. Offer a cup.
Why does my baby refuse to eat pureed food?
Babies often reject their first servings of pureed foods because the taste and texture is new . If your baby refuses the feeding, don't force it. Try again in a week. If the problem continues, talk to your baby's doctor to make sure the resistance isn't a sign of a problem.
How much iron should I put in baby cereal?
Mix 1 tablespoon of a single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereal with 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) of breast milk or formula. Don't serve it from a bottle. Instead, help your baby sit upright and offer the cereal with a small spoon once or twice a day after a bottle- or breast-feeding.
How long should I wait between feedings for a baby?
Wait three to five days between each new food to see if your baby has a reaction, such as diarrhea, a rash or vomiting. After introducing single-ingredient foods, you can offer them in combination. Important nutrients. Iron and zinc are important nutrients in the second half of your baby's first year.
When can a baby drink from a cup?
Around age 9 months, your baby might be able to drink from a cup on his or her own. Dish individual servings. If you feed your baby directly from a jar or container, saliva on the spoon can quickly spoil leftovers. Instead, place servings in a dish.
When should I give my baby juice?
Don't give juice to your baby until after age 1. Juice isn't a necessary part of a baby's diet, and it's not as valuable as whole fruit. Too much juice might contribute to weight problems and diarrhea. Sipping juice throughout the day can lead to tooth decay.
What is the best food for a baby?
Fish is the almost-perfect food. It's packed with protein, calcium and iron, and loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s. Studies show it can boost brain power, too. Serve up flakes of firm, white-fleshed fish like cod, sole or flounder — baked, poached or broiled — and let your baby dive in. These fish are easier to digest and lowest in mercury. Avoid mercury-laden ones like swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel and shark; nix shellfish too, because they're high in allergens. With all fish, though, you have to be extra-vigilant about going through the pieces to search for and remove any bones. But it's worth it!
How to feed a baby a soft meatball?
Your baby's not ready for steak yet, but you can up his iron intake by giving him soft meatballs made from hamburger or ground turkey (get the kind ground from turkey thighs, which are even higher in iron). To make sure they're not overly crusty and too firm for your baby's tender mouth, cook them in a sauce or soup instead of frying them solo. Then cut the meatballs into very small pieces, put a few on the tray and let the fun begin. Just remember not to overwhelm your little carnivore with too much food, and keep a close eye on him. He may be tempted to stuff it all in his mouth at once — or test the laws of gravity and send the pile to the floor.
What are some good foods to build up your brain?
Avocados are another treat — and packed with good fats to build up little brains and bodies. Vegetables to skip for now include anything stringy and raw (like celery), hard (like raw carrots), or easy to choke on (like grape tomatoes).
How to make a baby a fruit fiend?
Turn your baby into a fruit fiend by giving her squished blueberries or small pieces of soft fruits like banana or very ripe, peeled and skinned pear. (To make it easier to pick up slippery banana pieces, try dusting them in crushed Cheerios first.) Ripe mangoes, peaches, apricots, kiwis, honeydew and cantaloupe are also likely to appeal to your baby's sweet tooth (or gums), but make sure to take off any skin first. Not all fruit is baby-friendly, though. Avoid pieces of apple, even without the skin, for now. Ditto any other harder-textured or unripe fruit that could get stuck in the windpipe.
How old can a child eat hot dogs?
Most doctors don't recommend these foods until your child can safely eat them — around 4 years old (though depending on the food and your child, it could be closer to 3 or 5).
What fish are low in mercury?
These fish are easier to digest and lowest in mercury. Avoid mercury-laden ones like swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel and shark; nix shellfish too, because they're high in allergens. With all fish, though, you have to be extra-vigilant about going through the pieces to search for and remove any bones.
What fruit is baby friendly?
Ripe mangoes, peaches, apricots, kiwis, honeydew and cantaloupe are also likely to appeal to your baby's sweet tooth (or gums), but make sure to take off any skin first. Not all fruit is baby-friendly, though. Avoid pieces of apple, even without the skin, for now.
Introducing Finger Foods to Your Baby
So, when can babies eat finger foods? You can start to give your baby finger foods around the time they’re able to sit up independently and can bring their hands to their mouth. This may happen between the ages of 8 months old and 9 months old, but your baby may be ready a little sooner or later than this time.
First Finger Foods for Your Baby
As you begin choosing finger foods for your baby, check out the following ideas:
Finger Food Safety
During this time babies are more likely to swallow foods without chewing them, whether they have a few baby teeth coming in or they have no teeth. Avoid giving any finger foods that require a grinding action to chew (this type of chewing is typically mastered around the age of 4), as these may pose a choking risk.
Note on Food Allergies
Medical experts once recommended that parents avoid feeding their babies eggs, fish, and peanut butter since babies may be allergic to these foods. However, it’s now recommended that you introduce these foods early—while keeping a close watch for any reactions—since this approach can help reduce your child’s chances of developing food allergies.
The Bottom Line
It’s time to introduce finger foods to your baby when you see that they’re able to sit up on their own, start bringing their hands to their mouth, and can use a pincer grasp to hold onto small items, like finger foods. This development happens around the age of 8 or 9 months old, but you may see it sooner or later in your baby.
Why do babies throw up after eating?
Food Allergy. Vomiting can be the only symptom of a food reaction. The vomiting comes on quickly after eating the food. Uncommon in infants, but main foods are eggs and peanut butter. Coughing. Hard coughing can also cause your child to throw up. This is more common in children with reflux. Serious Causes.
What causes a baby to throw up?
Pyloric Stenosis (Serious Cause) The most common cause of true vomiting in young babies. Onset of vomiting is age 2 weeks to 2 months. Vomiting is forceful. It becomes projectile and shoots out. Right after vomiting, the baby is hungry and wants to feed. ("hungry vomiter")
Why does my toddler vomit so much?
Reason: Sleep often empties the stomach and removes the need to vomit. Your child doesn't have to drink anything if his stomach feels upset and he doesn't have any diarrhea. Your child can return to child care after the vomiting and fever are gone. For the first 3 or 4 hours, your child may vomit everything.
How long does it take for a baby to stop vomiting?
Vomiting alone should stop within about 24 hours. If it lasts over 24 hours, you must think about more serious causes. An example is a kidney infection. A serious cause in young babies is pyloric stenosis.
How long to nurse a baby after throwing up?
After 4 hours without throwing up, double the amount. Return to Formula. After 8 hours without throwing up, go back to regular formula. Breastfed Babies - Reduce the Amount Per Feeding: If vomits once, nurse half the regular time every 1 to 2 hours. If vomits more than once, nurse for 5 minutes every 30 to 60 minutes.
Why do children vomit?
Children then often become stable and change to mild vomiting. The main risk of vomiting is dehydration. Dehydration means the body has lost too much fluid. The younger the child, the greater the risk for dehydration.
How long does it take for a child to vomit?
At the start of the illness, it's common for a child to vomit everything. This can last for 3 or 4 hours. Children then often become stable and change to mild vomiting.
How long should I feed my baby formula?
All food and beverages except breast milk or formula: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends feeding your baby only breast milk or formula for the first four to six months.
What to cut for a baby's throat?
For example, cut up fruits such as grapes, cherry tomatoes, and strawberries, and shred or finely chop meats, vegetables, and cheeses.
What foods should I not give my baby?
Foods to avoid giving your baby include honey, cow's milk, soy milk, fruit juice, sugar-sweetened beverages, unpasteurized foods, and foods with added sugars or too much sodium. Choking hazard s are a serious concern, so don't offer large chunks, raw vegetables, nuts and seeds, hard or crunchy foods, sticky foods, or dollops of nut butters.
What foods can cause a baby to choke?
Hard or crunchy foods: Nuts, popcorn, and pretzels are all choking hazards, as are all hard candies and cough drops. Sticky foods: Chewing gum and sticky foods – such as jelly or gummy candies, dried fruit, and marshmallows – can get lodged in your baby's throat. Stringy, melted cheese can also be a choking hazard.
How much fruit juice should I give my toddler?
The AAP recommends no fruit juice for babies, and just 4 ounces per day maximum for toddlers ages 1 to 3.
What is baby led weaning?
Baby-led weaning means skipping purees and spoons - and letting babies feed themselves. Discover nine great finger foods to offer to your baby. Fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages: Juice (even 100 percent fruit juice) and sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and sports drinks aren't recommended for children under 12 months.
When should I introduce solid foods to my child?
The latest on children and food allergies. Doctors used to recommend waiting until age 1 or even later to introduce solid foods that are common allergens, especially with children at risk for allergies.
