Is your baby pointing and grabbing for the food you are eating? Are you wondering if it is okay to share some of your meal? When children get close to one year old, they are getting ready to expand their tastes.
When your baby reaches 9-12 months, he may be ready to:
To help your child get accustomed to eating table foods, remember the following:
The South Dakota Department of Public Health offers these guidelines:
Food | 9-10 Months | 11-12 Months |
---|---|---|
Breast milk or iron-fortified formula Note: Do not give cow's milk until age one. |
|
|
Infant cereal | 4-6 tablespoons | 4-6 tablespoons |
Fruits | 6-8 tablespoons | 8 tablespoons or ½ cup |
Vegetables | 6-8 tablespoons | 8 tablespoons or ½ cup |
Meat | 4-6 tablespoons | 8 tablespoons or 2 ounces or ½ cup |
You can give your baby pureed meat or finely chopped meat. Other options include cooked egg, cheese, yogurt, or mashed beans. Avoid giving your baby:
Choose plain fruits and vegetables. You do not have to add any seasonings or sugar to your baby's food. When serving veggies, cook them until they are soft and offer bite-sized pieces. Cut the fruit, as well, and take out the seeds and pits.
Remember, too, not to give your baby honey. It can contain botulism spores.
Serve liquids in a cup rather than a bottle. Do not give your baby cola, fruit punch, or other sugary drinks. Also avoid from giving your baby coffee and tea.
Choking is a major cause of fatal injury in infants. It can occur anytime, anywhere.
The South Dakota Department of Public Health offers these guidelines to prevent choking:
Be aware of foods that can cause choking, such as:
In case of emergency, learn how to give CPR to babies.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in a many products, including plastic containers or bottles (with recycling number 7), as well as canned goods. While BPA's effects in humans is still being studied, some experts recommend that you limit your baby's exposure to this chemical. To learn more, read the article BPA Raising Concerns .
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
National Network for Child Care
http://www.nncc.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
About Kids Health
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Alberta Children's Services
http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/
References:
Age-by-age guide to feeding your baby. Babycenter website. Available at: http://www.babycenter.com/0_age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-your-baby_1400680.bc#5. Updated September 2007. Accessed July 29, 2008.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Public Health. Advisory regarding bishphenol A (BPA). http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2pressrelease&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Public+Health&sid=Eeohhs2&b=pressrelease&f=090803_bpa_advisory&csid=Eeohhs2. Published August 2009. Accessed August 24, 2009.
Jones P. BPA raising concerns. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81. Updated November 2009. Accessed March 5, 2010.
South Dakota Department of Public Health. Steps to infant feeding. South Dakota Department of Health website. Available at: https://apps.sd.gov/Applications/PH18Publications/secure/Publications/infant9-12.pdf. Published August 2001. Accessed June 18, 2010.
Last reviewed June 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.