Feeding Frenzy: Taking The Guess Work Out Of Feeding Your Infant

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Once you've weaned your child off of breast milk, and formula, and he or she is outgrowing baby food, but not yet (completely) ready for (all forms) of table food, you may be wondering what to feed them. Well, according to the experts each age, offers a new opportunity for increasing your child's choices. And here is what they suggest according to the various ages and stages:

WHEN TO ADD FOODS	TYPE OF FOOD	SUGGESTED FOODS
4 to 5 months	cereals	iron-fortified baby rice, barley or oatmeal cereal (dry)
5 to 6 months	vegetables	Carrots, squash. sweet potatoes, peas,green beans, spinach and beets*
6 to 7 months	fruits, oven-dried	apple juice**, strained fruits; wheat, toast (without butter) mixed and high protein baby cereals (dry)
7 to 8 months	meat and meat alternates	strained meats: beef, liver, turkeyalternates chicken, egg yolks. cooked dried beans (put through a sieve to remove skins), (no gravy nor salt); easily mashed vegetables and fruits.
8 to 10 months	cheese, plain yogurt,finger foods sliced meats and casserole combinations ionssoft cooked meats	cottage cheese, mild yellow cheese soft cooked vegetables green beans, carrot coins cut in quarters, broccoli crackersmacaroni and cheese, spaghetti. beans and rice, homemade soups and stewscrumbled hamburger, some meatloaf.tender chicken and tuna fish (water-packed)
10 to 12 months	finger foodswhole egg (at 12 months)	banana slices, pear slices. peach slices,watermelon. cantaloupe, crackers,cheese slices and macaroni

** do not give citrus juices until after the baby is one year old.

Finally, they note, that upon reviewing the chart and still having concerns or questions don't hesitate to contact a child nutritionist or your child's physician.

Long Island Family Life & Parenting Articles > Feeding Frenzy: Taking The Guess Work Out Of Feeding Your Infant