Introducing Solid Foods – a sample schedule for ideas of when/how much solids to begin with.
Start solids in the morning or mid-afternoon. If your baby has any type of reaction, either allergic or with tummy troubles, you will have all day to deal with it.
Starting solids at bedtime runs the risk of disrupting baby’s sleeping schedule as her body learns to digest the new foods.
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STARTING SOLID FOODS Remember: You will probably only manage to have baby eat 1/2 of the tablespoon sized portion the very first times you begin solids. |
WEEK 1 Try 1 tablespoon for the first few feedings. |
WEEK 2 Continue with feeding small amounts; your baby will still be getting used to solid foods |
WEEK 3 Continue feeding small amounts. |
WEEK 4 Baby may be on a wider variety of foods now. Try mixing those acceptable foods. |
WEEK 5 Offer these foods for 3 or 4 days then move to another food |
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Nurse your baby or offer formula bottles before solid foods. Offer solids from 1/2 hour to 1 hour after breast or bottle. Formula and/or Breast Milk are more important than solid foods when baby is starting solids. Start solids in the morning or mid-afternoon. If your baby has any type of reaction, either allergic or with tummy troubles, you will have all day to deal with it. Starting solids at bedtime runs the risk of disrupting baby’s sleeping schedule as her body learns to digest the new foods. |
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BREAST MILK and/or FORMULA |
Breast Milk and/or Formula as usual throughout the night and day |
Breast Milk and/or Formula as usual throughout the night and day |
Breast Milk and/or Formula as usual throughout the night and day |
Breast Milk and/or Formula as usual throughout the night and day |
Breast Milk and/or Formula as usual throughout the night and day |
| 5 Weeks of Solids |
WEEK 1
Offer 1 of these foods for 3 or 4 days then move to another food Try 1 tablespoon for the first feedings. |
WEEK 2
Offer 1 these foods for 3 or 4 days then move to another food |
WEEK 3
Offer 1 these foods for 3 or 4 days then move to another food |
WEEK 4
Offer these foods for 3 or 4 days then move to another food |
WEEK 5
Offer these foods for 3 or 4 days then move to another food |
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BREAKFAST |
Avocado and/or Starting with Rice Cereal – is it necessary? Read our Cereal FAQs |
OR Avocado or Sweet Potato |
Butternut Squash OR Avocado, Bananas, Pears or Sweet Potatoes |
Green Beans
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OR Green Beans, Rice Cereal, Butternut Squash, Avocado, Bananas, Pears or Sweet Potatoes or Apples |
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Once you have introduced a variety of foods, you can then make baby "meals" and combination foods.
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MID-AFTERNOON MEAL – if desired – |
Avocado and/or |
Bananas and/or |
Butternut Squash, Avocado, Bananas, Pears or Sweet Potatoes or Apples |
Green Beans or Rice Cereal OR Butternut Squash, Avocado, Bananas, Pears or Sweet Potatoes or Apples |
Peaches OR Green Beans, Rice Cereal Butternut Squash, Avocado, Bananas, Pears or Sweet Potatoes or Apples |
Suggested Daily "Milk" Intakes
0-3 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 1-3 hours or Formula 18-40 ounces4-5 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 2-4 hours or Formula 24-45 ounces6-8 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 3-4 hours or Formula 24-37 ounces9-12 Months of age:
Breastfeed every 4-5 hours or Formula 24-31 ounces
Whole Cow Milk should not be introduced, as a drink to replace
formula and/or breastmilk until 12 months of age.
compiled from Merck Source
Visit the Quick Start to Homemade Baby Food page
How much should My Baby Eat? | Organic or Conventional Food for Homemade Baby Food Recipes | Bake Fruits for Homemade Baby Food | Does Baby Need Water | Homemade Baby Care Recipes | Travel & Homemade Baby Food
Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.
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