Our recommendation is to start solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age. If your infant can sit independently on your lap or in a highchair, he/she is likely ready to start solids. It’s best not to feed your baby in a bouncy chair.
Most families start with a single grain cereal, legumes and/or a root vegetable. The initial food should be iron rich. Mix the cereal with breast milk, formula or water. We recommend starting with a midday meal. Once your baby has tolerated the cereal for 2 – 3 days, you may start to introduce single ingredient purees (fruits/vegetables). You will want to introduce a new puree every 2 – 3 days. At 6 to 7 months, your baby should be eating twice daily. At 7 months, your baby should be eating three times per day.
The meal does not replace a milk feed. It supplements the nursing and/or formula feeding that your baby already enjoys.
At your 6 month visit, you can discuss the introduction of table foods that will occur over the next 2 – 3 months. This will include lentils, beans, tofu, meats and other protein sources. We recommend not introducing dairy products like yogurt and cheese until 9 months of age. Cow’s milk and soy milk are not recommended as a beverage until one year of age.
For more information on starting solid foods, click on this link.