Choctaw Nation Hospital

Feeding

Babies often hit one of their growth spurts at 6 months. Around this time, it may seem that your little one just can't get enough, and you may be wondering if now's the time to add some solid food. The South Dakota Department of Health provides some guidelines for knowing when your baby is ready for solids and how to introduce them.
A baby's growth from five to eight months will allow for many changes in food intake. Breast milk or iron-fortified formula still needs to be the main part of a baby's diet. Solids may be started at this time.

Starting solids...but not too soon.

Just the right time

Starting Solid Food

Have your baby sit up.
Make sure the food is not too hot.
Feed all food from a spoon.
Add only one new food at a time every 3 to 4 days.
Homemade or purchased baby foods can be used.
When opening jar food, listen for the pop. Don't use lids that don't pop.
Maintain regular snack and meal times.
Use small portions of food. Throw away leftovers and do not put food back in the jar. Saliva mixed with food will make it spoil.
Your baby does not need salt, grease, fat, sugar, or honey added to foods. Your baby's tastes are not the same as yours. Taste some formula-you'll get the idea!

What are my choices?

Age	Food and daily amount
5-6 months	Breast milk - on demand OR Iron-fortified formula - 4-5 feedings of 6-8 ounces each
4-6 months	Infant cereal - 4-8 tablespoons, mixed Infant juice - 2-4 ounces (1 to 1 cup, from cup only)
6 months	Meat - 1-2 tablespoons Fruits/vegetables- 2-4 tablespoons, twice daily
7-8 months	Breast milk - 3-5 feedings, or on demand OR Iron-fortified formula - 3-5 feedings of 6-8 ounces each Infant cereal - 4-6 tablespoons Infant juice - 2-4 ounces (from cup only) Fruit - 1-2 tablespoons Vegetables - 5-7 tablespoons Meats - 1-2 tablespoons Finger food - 1 small serving (toast, crackers, teething biscuits, plain dry cereal)

Suggestions when using solid foods

Age	Food and daily amount
Cereal	Start with single grain cereals: rice first, then oats and barley. Wait until your baby is six months old to try other kinds of cereal. Start by making the cereal thin, mix 1 tablespoon of dry cereal with 2-3 tablespoons of breast milk or iron-fortified formula. As baby gets older, make it thicker, mix 1 tablespoon dry cereal with 2-3 tablespoons of breast milk or iron-fortified formula.
Meat	Use plain, strained meats when starting. If meat is too thick, thin with breast milk, iron-fortified formula or meat juices. Sits without support You can use cooked egg yolk, but don't give egg white until your baby is one year old.
Fruits and vegetables	Start with pureed fruits and vegetables Start with single, plain choices without tapioca added. Don't serve fruit "desserts".
Juice	Offer juice from the cup, not the bottle. Start with infant juice. Mix once ounce of water with one ounce of juice. Gradually cut back the water until giving straight juice. Star with single flavored juices. Wait until your baby is older to give mixed juices. Use only 100% juice, not flavored fruit drink such as Kool-aid, punch, or soda (pop).