Signs of readiness for solid and finger foods
- Same as 6 to 8 months, PLUS
- Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
- Can transfer items from one hand to the other
- Puts everything in his mouth
- Moves jaw in a chewing motion
What to feed
- Breast milk or formula, PLUS
- Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, cottage cheese, and unsweetened yogurt
- Mashed vegetables (cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
- Mashed fruits (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados)
- Finger foods (O-shaped cereal, small bits of scrambled eggs, well-cooked pieces of potato, well-cooked spiral pasta, teething crackers, small pieces of bagel)
- Protein (small bits of meat, poultry, boneless fish, tofu, and well-cooked beans, like lentils, split peas, pintos, or black beans)
- Iron-fortified cereal (barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
How much per day
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 ounce cheese)
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
- 3/4 to 1 cup fruit
- 3/4 to 1 cup vegetables
- 3 to 4 tablespoons protein-rich food
Feeding tip
Some doctors recommend that you introduce new foods one at a time. Wait two or three days, if possible, before offering another new food. (Wait three days if your baby or family has a history of allergies.) It's also a good idea to write down the foods your baby samples. If he has an adverse reaction, a food log will make it easier to pinpoint the cause.