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Introduction to Solids
Age (months) |
Readiness Signals |
Recommended Foods |
Suggested |
Motherly Advice |
0-4 months |
1 Extrusion reflex |
3 Human Milk |
Infant should feed on demand 4 8-12 feedings per day to supply 18-32 ounces (oz)daily Newborns usually drink 2-3 oz per pound of body weight Timing for breastfeeding varies with each infant. Newborns often need to nurse on each breast. Before transitioning to single breastfeeding, speak with a lactation consultant. A general guideline is 10-15 minutes on each breast. |
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4-6 months* Note: Super Kids Nutrition Inc. as a general recommendation suggests waiting until 5 ½ to 6 months to start solids as earlier feeding is associated with increased risk for childhood obesity. However, there are individual circumstances where recommendations may vary. Work with your pediatrician and dietitian as indicated. |
Birth weight has doubled Can sit with support Good head control Ready for highchair Swallows better Drools less Increased hunger Can close mouth around age appropriate soft spoon Can move food from front to back of mouth Disappearance of extrusion reflex Able to grasp objects voluntarily Learning to reach mouth with hands |
Human milk or formula Formula Fed Infants: Breast Fed Infants: Introduce iron-fortified cereals (rice, oatmeal) mixed with breast milk first. Some practitioners recommend pureed meats first as this will provide the additional amounts of zinc and iron that your baby needs. There remains a debate amongst health care professionals as there is limited research to support either argument. |
4 4-6 ounces (oz) breast milk or formula per feeding to provide 27-45 oz per day 1-4 tablespoons (tbsp) dry cereal mixed with breast milk or formula twice per day. |
Texture of solid foods should be runny. Feed with a soft baby spoon. Do not mix baby cereal with fruit juice. No honey for the entire first year. |
Age (months) |
Readiness Signals |
Recommended Foods |
Suggested |
Motherly Advice |
6-8 months |
Able to clear the spoon with upper lip Sits independently Independently picks up and holds objects in hand |
Human milk or formula Iron-fortified infant cereal Strained, pureed, or mashed soft fruit (no skin) Strained, pureed, mashed soft vegetables (no skin) Strained, pureed meat |
24-32 ounces (oz) per day 6 2-3 servings per day (1-2 tablespoons (tbsp)counts as one serving) 2 tbsp of vegetables and/or fruit twice daily 1-3 tbsp. meat or other protein source (ex. Tofu, egg) once daily |
Allow no less than 3 days in between introducing a new food. Begin with single grain cereals and advance to mixed grain as tolerated and accepted. Avoid meat & vegetable combination meals. Breast Fed Infants: Introduce iron fortified cereals first (rice, oatmeal) or pureed meats. Then second, pureed vegetables followed by fruit. Pureed meats and eggs next. Formula Fed Infants: Introduce infant cereals first (rice, oatmeal). Pureed fruits & vegetables second, followed by pureed meats, egg. |
8-10 months |
Demonstrates the 7pincer grasp Holds bottle without help Holds spoon with or without help May drink from a sippy cup with help Beginning to use jaw to mash food Begins to finger feed |
Human milk or formula Infant cereal Meat Soft, cooked skin-free vegetables Soft, skin free fruits
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24-32 ounces (oz) per day ¼ - ½ cup per day ¼ cup meat per day ¼ - ½ cup vegetables per day ¼ - ½ cup fruit per day |
Foods to offer your child: Well-cooked pasta Soft cheese Pea sized pieces of bread or pancake Cheerios Whole milk based yogurt Cottage cheese |
10-12 months |
Picks up food and feeds self Drinks from sippy cup Begins to use spoon and fork |
Human milk or infant formula; Whole milk at 12 months Yogurt, cheese Whole grain bread, cereal, crackers, brown rice Meat, fish, eggs, tofu, re-fried beans Soft, skin free fruits & vegetables |
18-24 ounces (oz) per day Offer whole grains 2-3 times per day. ½ – 1 oz protein source twice daily ¼ – ½ c fruits & vegetables twice daily |
Serve no more than 24 ounces (oz) of milk per day at 12 months of age. This will promote an increase in the amount of food your baby eats. Too much milk and too little food can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Avoid using the bottle after a 12 -14 months of age and introduce a cup to avoid tooth decay. |
