Baby Food Schedule

Many parents are apprehensive, yet also excited, about starting a baby food schedule. Introducing solids is a major milestone in a child's first year of life. How do you know what foods to give to your baby? How much is too much?

A baby food schedule makes life easier as a new parent.

Your pediatrician will play an important role in the introduction of baby food to your son or daughter. While you might be tempted to begin your child's journey into the world of food by placing tidbits from your own plate onto your baby's plate, this isn't a good idea for several reasons.

The most important issue in regards to introducing solid foods is ruling out any food allergies. If you introduce foods from your own menu, such as soups or casseroles, and your baby has an allergic reaction, you may have a difficult time discerning which food or foods actually caused the problem. Also, your baby needs the chance to discover new, individual foods. This is best accomplished with a baby food schedule.

There are several important points to keep in mind, however.

• Not all babies will eat the same amount of food or follow the exact same schedule. Your baby will soon establish certain taste preferences, and the schedule you choose may need to adapt somewhat to those preferences.
• Your baby's schedule will not always follow your schedule. Of course, the amount of food your baby eats will not compare to the amount of food you eat!
• Not all babies will eat the same amount of food either. You will discover that your baby will be a more voracious eater at some times more than at others. Some of this has to do with the growth spurts he is experiencing.
• Your baby will let you know when she has had enough. You shouldn't continue to force feed her after she gives you these cues, such as turning her head away, refusing to open her mouth, or crying.
• Don't develop such a strict schedule that you are attempting to feed baby even when she is not hungry or holding off on feeding her because it isn't time yet.
• Your baby may only eat a few bites from the baby food jar during one mealtime, but she may inhale the entire jar the next time.

Remember that solid foods do not take the place of formula or breast milk in the first year of a baby's life. Your child should still be receiving plenty of milk during this time as well!

Your pediatrician will probably advise you to only introduce one food at a time. This is the best way to determine if your child has an allergy to that food. Once you've given her that particular food for a couple of days without any problems, you can introduce a new food. The following is a typical baby food schedule that you may want to try. Again, your baby will soon develop his own particular food preferences. Don't think that you need to force him to eat prunes when he loves bananas.

• 6 Months-One of the first foods that you'll probably introduce is baby cereal mixed with formula or breast milk. Along with cereal, you can also begin introducing solid foods like applesauce, bananas, and pears. These should be pureed and strained and are typically referred to as "first foods" by baby food companies.
• 7 to 9 Months-During the next two or three months, begin to add other varieties of fruits, like peaches, as well a few vegetables, like carrots, squash, peas, and mashed potatoes. You can also add baby fruit juices, like apple or pear juice, too.
• 9 to 12 Months-This will be a good time to add meats, pasta, cheese, chicken, beans, yogurt, tofu, and oatmeal.
• 12 to 18 Months-By the time your child is a year old, her food selections should be full of variety. Fruits like melons, strawberries, and mangos are good choices. Other foods could include cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, tuna, salmon, cottage cheese and whole milk.

If you notice any problems associated with the introduction of your new foods into your baby's diet, please contact your pediatrician immediately.

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