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From Milk to Solids: Feeding Babies 0-12 Months Old
August 2022
Last reviewed: October 2022
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
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Inside: Get the basics of baby nutrition that every parent should know. Learn how to feed your baby at every age, what nutrients are important in your baby’s diet, and more about feeding babies.
Navigating the first year with a newborn is a whirlwind for any parent, and learning when and how to start introducing solids could be overwhelming (and sometimes stressful!). Need help figuring it all out?
We’re here to help you understand the basics every parent should know about baby nutrition from infancy to toddlerhood. We’ll answer questions about your baby’s diet and how to feed your baby throughout their first 12 months. Plus, get answers to even more top baby feeding questions.
Here’s a breakdown of your baby’s diet for the first year. Learn what babies need nutritionally from food or milk at each age or stage of feeding.
Feeding your newborn to 6-month-old baby
Whether you decide to breastfeed or bottle feed your child, the source of your baby’s nutrition in their first six months is milk.
The main thing to keep in mind when feeding babies is vitamin D. Every baby needs 400 IU of vitamin D daily.
Vitamin D is important for babies whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed. It’s important for their bone development, and it helps to prevent rickets, a condition that softens and weakens the bones.
It’s important to note that breast milk is naturally low in vitamin D. And, while formula does contain vitamin D, it does not provide enough unless a baby is able to consume at least 32 oz. of formula per day.
Introducing foods too early may lead to a less nutrient-dense diet later in life. (1,2)
Feeding your 6-month-old and 7-month-old child
Around 6 months of age, babies are able to sit up unassisted, have good head control, be able to move their neck side to side, and show interest in food.
You can also start offering fluids to practice cup drinking. Choose an open baby cup or a straw cup to get started.
Why is iron important for babies?
The iron stores that your baby built up in utero begin to diminish around 4 to 6 months of age.
That means it’s important for babies to start getting iron from their own diet. Check out our list of the best iron-rich foods for babies for ideas. (3)
Feeding your 8-month-old and 9-month old baby
By 8-9 months of age, you can begin to present 2 meals a day. If you’re not already, you can start to feed your child on a meal routine.
Consider decreasing the amount of breast milk or formula you offer your child prior to mealtimes to promote their appetite. You can always offer more breast milk or formula after the meal if your baby still seems hungry.
Continue to avoid or modify choking hazards for your baby’s safety.
Your child may be working on their pincer grasp, which starts to develop between 7 and 10 months of age. You may choose to serve foods in small pieces so your baby can practice picking them up.
Feeding your 10- to 12-month-old child
By 10-12 months of age, aim for 3 meals a day.
Move to offer solid foods first and then offer breast milk or formula afterwards. You may even offer breast milk or formula in a cup alongside the meal.
Honey should be avoided in the first 12 months of a baby’s life.
This is due to botulism spores that can grow in the baby’s intestines and produce toxins that can lead to serious illness.
After 1 year of age, it’s OK to give your baby honey.
What about babies and food allergens?
The top food allergens are:
Milk
Eggs
Fish
Shellfish
Tree nuts
Peanuts
Wheat
Soybeans
The 2019 American Academy of Pediatric recommendations on complementary feeding state that there is no benefit in delaying the introduction of any foods, including the 8 major allergens, beyond 4 to 6 months of life.
Actually, there is strong evidence that introducing eggs and peanuts at around 6 months of age, but not before 4 months, can prevent a child from developing egg and peanut allergies.
Heller, RL et al. A qualitative study of providers’ perceptions of parenteral feeding practices of infants and toddlers to prevent childhood obesity. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:1276. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8243475/
Rodriugez-Cano, AM et al. Complementary feeding practices and their association with adiposity indicators at 12 months of age. J Dev Orig Health Dis. 2021 Oct; 12(5): 780-787. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33222718/.
Baker RD, Greer FR. Diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in infants and young children (0-3 years of age). Pediatrics. 2010;126(5):1040-1050. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20923825/.
Fleischer, DM et al. A consensus approach to the primary prevention of food allergy through nutrition: guidance from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the Canadian Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Jan;9(1):22-43.e4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33250376/.
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Hyemyung Kim has been a registered and certified dietitian and nutrition support clinician for 10 years. She initially started her career as an inpatient dietitian with the adult population but fell into the role as a neonatal and pediatric dietitian after a co-worker needed to go on maternity leave. This led to her falling in love with this population and working with parents. She continued to progress her career working in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units as the nutrition support dietitian and in the nutrition clinic as the outpatient dietitian. During this time, she also obtained her certification as a certified lactation counselor to promote breastfeeding and provide education and support for mothers.
It was while working as a clinical dietitian that Hyemyung got to meet and talk to parents about their struggles with picky eating, finding her passion for teaching and educating parents on tips to help their children to eat. She is passionate about working with parents on this common but tough issue and finds it rewarding when she hears about progress. Now as a new mom to a 1 year old boy, she is also dealing with selective eating and can empathize how parents feel when they are experiencing this. In her role as the dietitian and weaning specialist, Hyemyung strives to approach each parent with empathy, understanding and compassion as she educates and provides support.
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Inside: Get the basics of baby nutrition that every parent should know. Learn how to feed your baby at every age, what nutrients are important in your baby’s diet, and more about feeding babies.
Navigating the first year with a newborn is a whirlwind for any parent, and learning when and how to start introducing solids could be overwhelming (and sometimes stressful!). Need help figuring it all out?
We’re here to help you understand the basics every parent should know about baby nutrition from infancy to toddlerhood. We’ll answer questions about your baby’s diet and how to feed your baby throughout their first 12 months. Plus, get answers to even more top baby feeding questions.
Article contents:
Feeding babies from 0 to 6 months old
Should you start solids at 4 months?
Feeding 6-month-olds and 7-month-olds
Feeding 8-month-olds and 9-month-olds
Feeding 10- to 12-month-olds
Can babies have honey?
What about food allergies?
Feeding your 1-year-old
Feeding babies from 0 to 12 months old
Here’s a breakdown of your baby’s diet for the first year. Learn what babies need nutritionally from food or milk at each age or stage of feeding.
Feeding your newborn to 6-month-old baby
Whether you decide to breastfeed or bottle feed your child, the source of your baby’s nutrition in their first six months is milk.
The main thing to keep in mind when feeding babies is vitamin D. Every baby needs 400 IU of vitamin D daily.
Vitamin D is important for babies whether they’re breastfed or formula-fed. It’s important for their bone development, and it helps to prevent rickets, a condition that softens and weakens the bones.
It’s important to note that breast milk is naturally low in vitamin D. And, while formula does contain vitamin D, it does not provide enough unless a baby is able to consume at least 32 oz. of formula per day.
Related: How to Choose the Best Formula for Your Baby
Should you start solids at 4 months?
The official recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization is to start solids around six months of age when babies show signs of readiness.
Introducing foods too early may lead to a less nutrient-dense diet later in life. (1,2)
Feeding your 6-month-old and 7-month-old child
Around 6 months of age, babies are able to sit up unassisted, have good head control, be able to move their neck side to side, and show interest in food.
When your baby is showing these signs, you can begin weaning and introducing solid foods.
Read our pediatric dietitian’s list of the top 25 first foods to serve your baby.
You can also start offering fluids to practice cup drinking. Choose an open baby cup or a straw cup to get started.
Why is iron important for babies?
The iron stores that your baby built up in utero begin to diminish around 4 to 6 months of age.
That means it’s important for babies to start getting iron from their own diet. Check out our list of the best iron-rich foods for babies for ideas. (3)
Feeding your 8-month-old and 9-month old baby
By 8-9 months of age, you can begin to present 2 meals a day. If you’re not already, you can start to feed your child on a meal routine.
Consider decreasing the amount of breast milk or formula you offer your child prior to mealtimes to promote their appetite. You can always offer more breast milk or formula after the meal if your baby still seems hungry.
Continue to avoid or modify choking hazards for your baby’s safety.
Your child may be working on their pincer grasp, which starts to develop between 7 and 10 months of age. You may choose to serve foods in small pieces so your baby can practice picking them up.
Feeding your 10- to 12-month-old child
By 10-12 months of age, aim for 3 meals a day.
Move to offer solid foods first and then offer breast milk or formula afterwards. You may even offer breast milk or formula in a cup alongside the meal.
Related: Shopping for baby spoons? Discover the best utensils for babies.
More questions about baby nutrition
When can babies have honey?
Honey should be avoided in the first 12 months of a baby’s life.
This is due to botulism spores that can grow in the baby’s intestines and produce toxins that can lead to serious illness.
After 1 year of age, it’s OK to give your baby honey.
What about babies and food allergens?
The top food allergens are:
The 2019 American Academy of Pediatric recommendations on complementary feeding state that there is no benefit in delaying the introduction of any foods, including the 8 major allergens, beyond 4 to 6 months of life.
Actually, there is strong evidence that introducing eggs and peanuts at around 6 months of age, but not before 4 months, can prevent a child from developing egg and peanut allergies.
Read our article to learn more about the early introduction of allergens.
Please consult with your pediatrician before introducing your baby to any of these allergens. (4)
Feeding your 1-year-old child
What feeding and nutritional changes do you have to make after your child turns one? Get more help on what to feed your one-year-old child.
After 12 months of age, you may choose to introduce dairy or non-dairy milk. Read our blog to learn the best milk for toddlers.
Does your child make a big mess when eating? Check out these 8 tips for cleaning up after mealtimes.
If your child struggles with the transition from playtime to mealtime, learn how a pre-meal routine can help your toddler eat better.
Prevent picky eating with our expert toddler feeding strategies.
References