Signs of readiness for solid food

Your baby probably won't do all these things — they're just clues to watch for.

• Can hold head up
  
• Sits well in highchair
  
• Makes chewing motions
  
• Shows significant weight gain (birth weight has doubled)
  
• Shows interest in food
  
• Can close mouth around a spoon
  
• Can move food from front to back of mouth
  
• Can move tongue back and forth, but is losing tendency to push food out with tongue
  
• Seems hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breast milk or 40 oz. of formula in a day
  
• Is teething

What to feed

• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
  
• Semi-liquid iron-fortified rice cereal, THEN
  
• Other grain cereals like oats or barley

How much per day

• Begin with about 1 teaspoon dry rice cereal mixed with 4 to 5 teaspoons breast milk or formula (it'll be very runny).
  
• Gradually thicken consistency and increase to 1 tablespoon dry cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day.

Feeding tips

• If your baby won't eat the cereal on the first try, offer it again in a few days.

Signs of readiness for solid food

• Same as 4 to 6 months

What to feed

• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
  
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, oats)
  
• Pureed or strained fruits (banana, pears, applesauce, peaches)
  
• Pureed or strained vegetables (avocado, well-cooked carrots, squash, and sweet potato)

How much per day

• 3 to 9 tablespoons cereal, in 2 to 3 feedings
  
• 1 teaspoon fruit, gradually increased to 1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3 feedings
  
• 1 teaspoon vegetables, gradually increased to 1/4 to 1/2 cup in 2 to 3 feeding

Feeding tips

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
  
• Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.

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, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
  
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
  
• Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
  
• Finger foods (lightly toasted bagels, cut up; small pieces of ripe banana; well-cooked spiral pasta; teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
  
• Small amounts of protein (egg, pureed meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos, black beans)
  
• Non-citrus juice (apple or pear)

How much per day

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
  
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
  
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
  
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
  
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods
  
• 3 to 4 oz. non-citrus juices

Feeding tip

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.

Signs of readiness for additional solid food

• Same as 8 to 10 months, PLUS
  
• Swallows food more easily
  
• Has more teeth
  
• No longer pushes food out with tongue
  
• Is trying to use a spoon

What to feed

• Breast milk or formula PLUS
  
• Soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
  
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
  
• Fruit cut into cubes or strips, or mashed
  
• Bite-size, soft-cooked vegetables (peas, carrots)
  
• Combo foods (macaroni and cheese, casseroles)
  
• Protein (egg; pureed or finely ground meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans)
  
• Finger foods (lightly toasted bread or bagels, small pieces of ripe banana, spiral pasta, teething crackers, low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
  
• Non-citrus juice

How much per day

• 1/3 cup dairy (or 1/2 oz. cheese)
  
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup iron-fortified cereal
  
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit
  
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetables
  
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup combo foods
  
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup protein foods
  
• 3 to 4 oz. non-citrus juices

Feeding tip

• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.