TIPS: Starting solids should be enjoyable for you and your baby. If the baby seems unhappy, wait a few weeks and try again.

Introduce new foods in a pattern consistent with ease of digestibility and least risk of allergies. Start with rice cereal, then add vegetables, fruit, and finally meats (after 6-7 mos.). By 9 months start some amount of dairy (cheese, yogurt, or cottage cheese).

Introducing solid foods will cause your babies stools to become more solid and variable in color.

The goal is solid food - 3 meals a day by 7 months and mostly table food by 1 year.

Introduce a cup by 9 months. Place water and formula in cup.

FOODS: Introduce new foods one at a time and wait 3-5 days before adding new foods. Start a new food early in the day. If the baby has a problem, you will know before bedtime.

— Cereal: Rice, Oat, Wheat, Mixed
Rice is the easiest to digest, with very little allergen potential.
Amount: 3-4 Tbls. Mix in a bowl with breast milk, formula or water and feed by spoon.
When: Hungriest time of your baby’s day, maybe twice a day.

— Yellow Vegetables: Squash, sweet potatoes and carrots.

— Fruits: Applesauce, peaches, pears and bananas. Any fruit without citrus or citric juice in them, until baby is 12 months old.

— Green Vegetables: Peas, green beans, then gradually add other green vegetables

— Meats: Lamb, poultry, veal, beef, pork (in that order) but not until after 6 months old. Combination meat foods may be used.

— Eggs: Egg yolk at 9 months (baby food egg yolk), egg whites at 12 months.

— Juices: Juice is not necessary. Water is sufficient for additional fluids but if desired use no more than 6-8 oz. a day. White grape juice, apple, cranberry, cherry, or any combination of these can be used. Juice should be diluted in half with water. Do not give unpasteurized juices.

MENU IDEA:
— Breakfast: Cereal/Fruit.
— Lunch: Fruit/Cereal or Fruit/Vegetable/Meat.
— Dinner: Fruit/Cereal or Fruit/Vegetable/Meat.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS: Skin rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other concerns stop the new food. If you have family allergies, introduce new foods 7-10 days before starting another new food. Foods to avoid before 12 months old: whole eggs, cow’s milk, citric fruit/juices, strawberries, honey, nut products and shellfish.

QUANTITY: Feed your child until they are satisfied. Do not force feed. Most infants and children will show signs of fullness by turning their head away or by spitting food.

Average Quantity:
6 months - approximately 1 4oz jar per meal.
9 months - approximately 2 4oz.jars per meal.
The quantity of breast milk/formula may decrease as the amount of food increases.

PREPARING OWN FOODS:
No salt. Remove baby’s portion before seasoning.
Use water that food is cooked in for pureeing to retain important nutrients.
Nutrients are greatest if vegetables are fresh. Next best are frozen vegetables and last use canned (be sure they contain no salt!).

Ideas: Use ice trays. One cube is enough for one serving. You can freeze them inside zip-lock bags (easy to take to baby-sitter).

SAFETY TIPS TO HELP AVOID CHOKING:
You want to give small, non-round pieces of easily dissolvable or soft foods.

Foods to avoid until around 4 years of age: raw vegetables, raisins, nuts, popcorn, whole grapes, hard candies, and hot dogs that have been sliced into circles.

*** We encourage all parents to learn CPR and First Aid for choking.

Pro’s of Breastfeeding:

1. It’s is specially made for your baby. It contains at least 100 ingredients that can’t be reproduced.
2. It goes down easily. It is specially designed for your baby’s digestive system.
3. It’s safe and not contaminated.
4. It rarely has allergic reactions.
5. It helps reduce stomach discomfort.
6. It helps reduce diaper rash.
7. It helps prevent infection and boosts the immune system.
8. It keeps babies leaner compared to formula fed babies.
9. It appears to increase IQ through the age of 15.
10. It is less expensive. Breast milk is free.
11. It helps to suppress ovulation and menstruation, reducing pregnancy chances.
12. It creates a strong mother-baby bond.

Pro’s for Formula:

1. It keeps your baby feeling full longer, meaning less feedings.
2. It is easy to keep track of the amount of intake. You know exactly what your baby is getting.
3. It offers you more freedom. Others can feed your baby if you need a break, or want to see a movie or go to dinner with your significant other.
4. It allows dad to feed the baby and give mom a break. Especially in the middle of the night. Plus it gives more bonding time to dad.
5. It could also allow older siblings to get involved.
6. It allows you the freedom to wear what you want, not something made for breastfeeding.
7. It allows more options for birth control.
8. It also allows more variety of foods to be eaten.
9. It is less embarrassing for someone who may be shy or modest.
10. It is easier to return to an active sex life. Nursing mothers can have some naturally occurring effects on their bodies, like sore nipples and leaky breasts, which could make lovemaking a challenge.

These facts are here for your observation. However, the decision is not that easy, there is a lot of emotion involved in making this choice. Do you want to breastfeed, but feel it will interfere with your daily activities? Do you not like the idea of breastfeeding at all, but can’t ignore the benefits? Do you feel pressure from your friends and family? Or does your spouse appose because he feels jealous? Whatever the reason, perhaps a trial run would help you decide what is best for you. Give it 4-6 weeks and reevaluate your thoughts. Any amount of breastfeeding will greatly benefit your baby. If it is not for you, then fine, you have made an educated decision on what to feed your baby.

Best of luck, and good parenting!