What to feed a baby at 1 year old

Start complementary foods at 4-6 months

This is the recommended time to introduce solid foods. But it's not just about age. Your child should be able to sit (with support), turn their head away, and chew before starting solid foods. He also had to lose the reflex that causes him to cough up anything, including liquids.

Keep using breast milk or formula

Babies usually don't eat a lot of solid food at once. So think of solid food as something you add to your baby's diet, not as a substitute for breast milk or formula. Remember that you are introducing solid foods, not completely changing your baby's diet or cutting out milk. This will be done gradually.

Why start with rice cereal?

You don't have to - there is no hard and fast rule for what solid foods you should start feeding your baby with. in fact, you don't need to start with cereal at all. But if so, try single-grain, iron-fortified baby cereals with or without neutral flavor. It will also be a little easier to spot food allergies than with multi-grain porridge. You may want to mix it into formula or breast milk to get a runny consistency first, so it won't be a drastic change for your baby. Thicken it gradually until your child gets used to the new texture.

Eating solid food takes practice

It may seem natural, but spoon-feeding is new to your baby. So far, she has only had a liquid diet. It will take practice for her to get used to the spoon and the feel of solid food in her mouth. So don't expect her to eat a lot - maybe a teaspoon or two at a time - when you start. Instead of trying to get him to eat a certain amount of food, focus on getting him used to the experience.

Start eating fruits and vegetables one at a time

Fruits, vegetables, cereals, and even mashed meats may be on your child's menu. You can give them one at a time to see how your baby reacts to the taste and texture and make sure you don't develop an allergy. If your child doesn't want to eat them at first, try again later. Babies have to refuse food at least 5-10 times on different occasions before you can really tell they don't like the food. Let your pediatrician know if you think your child may have a food allergy to any new foods they try. Use soft baby food in jars or soften food by heating it. Pour on a spoon just enough so that the baby can easily swallow. Don't force food.

Avoid milk and honey

Most pediatricians say that you should wait until your baby's first birthday to start giving cow's milk. This is because it is not nutritionally equivalent to breast milk and does not have the nutritional value of specially formulated formulas. And do not give honey to babies under one year old. It is because of the possible risk of botulism that a child's developing immune system cannot fight back.

Stop when the child is ready to stop

Your child will let you know when he has finished eating. He might crush a spoon, turn away, purse his lips, spit out whatever you put in his mouth, or cry. Don't force him to eat more than he wants. Children eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Respecting these instincts can help them avoid overeating now and as they get older.

Got a fussy eater?

Just because your child doesn't immediately like new foods doesn't mean they're doomed to be cranky forever. Wait a few days and try again. And even. And again… It may take more than two times for your child to be ready to give peas a try. Remember that you are a role model and your child may be more interested in the foods they see you eat and enjoy. But do not force the child to eat and do not attach great importance to new products.

It will be dirty

As your baby grows, he will try to eat on his own. Chances are a fair amount of food is moving towards their face, arms, hair, bib, clothes, or high chair tray, not to mention you or any surface within reach. Learning to eat solid food is a complete tactile experience for your child. Place a rug under his high chair to pick up some mess, dress appropriately, and be patient - this stage won't last forever.

Try finger foods when baby's ready

Around 9 months or so, your baby will be able to pick up small pieces of soft table food to eat. You'll still need to spoon-feed for a while, and continue formula or breast milk. Some great "finger foods" include ripe banana pieces, cooked chunks of carrots, cottage cheese, well-cooked pasta, dry cereal, and scrambled eggs. Avoid choking hazards like hard candy, chips, raw vegetables, grapes or raisins, hard cheese, and whole hot dogs.