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Infant 6-12 months:
Getting Ready to Eat with the Family

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Your child's eating abilities will change every day.  How do you know what to offer?

Read below to learn more about how to start your baby on solid foods and advance him to table foods.

Feeding tips for 6-12 month olds

Step 1: Set the scene

The most important thing you can do to get your baby ready for table food is to get into the "meal habit" yourself.  

Feed yourself 3 meals a day and 1 -2 snacks.  Babies learn how to eat from watching you.  Try to time your infant's feeding times around your mealtimes.

If you aren't currently eating 3 meals a day, now is the time to start this important healthy habit!  If you need help with meal planning, get your family advocate to refer you to the Registered Dietitian.

Step 2: Dont start solids until your infant is ready

There are 2 things you can do now to prevent childhood obesity:

1) Wait to start solids until your child is ready

2) Stop feeding your baby when he shows signs of fullness, as seen in this video from the Ellyn Satter Institute

A full version of this video is available from your FA in English and Spanish.

Step 3: Don't Wait tooo long to start solids!

If your child has not started solids by 8-9 months, he is at risk for:

1) Delayed development

2)  Picky eating

3) Nutrient deficiencies

Why?  Watch the video to learn more.

Only Breastmilk and Formula in the bottle

Wait to give cow's milk until 1 year.

Give water in an open cup during meals.

Avoid juice, it is not healthy for your child.

No soda or other sweetened beverages for baby.

Give a source of iron at every meal

Pureed meats and fortified infant cereals are the best first foods for babies.  If not given, your baby may become iron deficient.

Video in Spanish not yet available.

Let your baby feed himself as soon as possible

Letting babies feed themselves can help prevent picky eating.

It also helps your child learn to use his hands!

 

video credit: Ellysatterinstitute.org 

Keep trying new textures

Babies who are fed purees too long become picky eaters.

 

It is VERY important to offer different foods, flavors, and textures. 

Watch this video to learn more.

Prevent your child from choking

Sit with your child during meals

Cut foods into 1/4 inch pieces

Avoid dangerous foods

Watch this video to learn more

Be savvy about allergies

Unsure when to offer peanuts, eggs, and dairy? 

 

Watch this video to learn how to prevent food allergies in infants.

What should your baby eat in the first year?
01:16
What foods should my baby avoid?
01:51
How to cook baby’s first meat
00:59
How to cook broccoli
01:10
How to cook sweet potato
01:27
No-cook first foods
01:05
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The "7-12 month" video is available through your Family Advocate

In this 10 minute video you will learn:

best foods for 6-12 month olds

foods to avoid feeding 6-12 month olds

how to know when to start solid foods

what first foods to feed babies

food allergies

choking

preventing picky eating

Consulting

Ask your Family Advocate to schedule a visit with the Registered Dietitian.

 

One-on-one consults are available over zoom.

Almost any time or day can be accommodated.

Common Concerns to talk with the dietitian about:

  • Understanding older babies

  • Starting solids

  • Starting baby on a cup

  • How to prepare for weaning

  • Understanding almost toddlers

  • How to feed almost toddlers

  • Making food easy to eat

  • Keeping a child from choking

  • Concerns about your child's size

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Ellyn satter videos

The following short videos (about 1 minute each) are available through your Family Advocate

 

Introduction 1:18

Starting solids to family meals. Children vary. Keep it casual.
Jatta 5 mo 2:30

Positive first solid feeding. Breastfeeding (latch-on, suck-swallow).
Micah, Sam 4.5 mo 1:49

(+) and (-) reaction to too-early solids. Babies at family meal.
Ella 6.5 mo 4:22

Positive, experienced semi-solids. Unfamiliar food.
Zubin 6 mo 2:20

Negative semi-solids. Parent charmingly pushy.
Alex 10 mo 1:57

Getting stuck on semi-solid food.
Andrew 7 mo 3:26

Introduction to family food. Mid-transition to family meal.
Madison & Daniel 12 mo 4:13

Self-feeding at family meal. Oral-motor development and hand-
mouth coordination. Child obesity.

Summary 1:13

Division of responsibility. Children’s eating competence.

 

Injoy videos

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