How to Introduce Solids

• Introduce one new food at a time and at least 3 days apart. That way, if baby has a food allergy or intolerance, it will be easier to see which food is causing it. 
• Begin with small amounts. Start with 1-3 tsp of solids and gradually move up to a maximum of 4 tbsp. 
• Solids can be given at the beginning, middle or end of liquid feedings. They should not replace breast milk or formula because breast milk and formula have more nutrients and calories than solids.

First Foods: Cereals, Meat and Meat Alternatives

• These foods can be introduced at 6 months. They provide the iron your baby needs at a time when iron stores in the body are running low – around 6 months.
• Start with iron-fortified infant cereal prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Start with single grain cereals, such as rice cereal. After at least three days with the same cereal, introduce another single grain cereal (e.g., barley, oatmeal) and finally introduce mixed grain cereals.
• Do not add cereal or other solids to bottles; spoon-feed only.  Sucking thick food through a nipple may cause choking and there is no evidence that this practice will help the infant sleep through the night.
• Fully cooked pureed meat and meat alternatives can also be introduced at this time. This group includes meats, fish, poultry, cooked egg yolks and meat alternatives such as legumes (cooked mashed kidney beans or chick peas).
• Introduce one type of meat or meat alternative at a time, beginning with small amounts (1-3 tsp).

Second Foods: Vegetables and Fruits

• Vegetables and fruits are added next to the infant’s diet.
• They add colour, flavour, texture and variety.
• Vegetables may be accepted better if introduced before fruits.
• Start with mild-tasting, individually cooked vegetables such as carrots, green beans etc. before moving onto mixed vegetables.
• Always start with pureed food. Later on, when baby is better at eating solids, gradually increase to a lumpier texture.
• It is best to offer pure fruits that are pureed or mashed. Commercial fruit desserts are not pure fruit and contain added sugar.
• Fruit juice can be offered in a cup, never a bottle, once fruits are already on the menu. Limit juice to 4 ounces (120 ml.) or less in one day. Use unsweetened fruit juices, not fruit beverages, drinks or punches. 
• Milk products such as cottage cheese and other cheeses as well as yogurt come next.

• Once each new food is introduced, provide a variety of foods from the 4 food groups of Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating. 

Table Food:

• Finger foods can be introduced between 9-12 months of age. At this time, infants are ready to chew and need more texture in their foods.
• Safe finger foods include crusty dry toast, pieces of soft ripe fruit such as bananas, cooked meat and poultry and cheese pieces.  
• Babies should be encouraged to feed themselves.
• Introduce new textures slowly and start with small amounts. If lumpier foods are introduced too late, baby may refuse the food.
• Do not add sugar, fat or salt to these new foods.

Safety:

• Always supervise infants when eating.
• Do not feed baby directly from jar as this may cause bacteria to grow in the remaining food.
• Opened jars of commercial baby food may be kept covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
• Do not give honey to baby until over 12 months of age to prevent food poisoning.
• Do not give egg white until over 12 months of age to prevent allergies.
• Always make sure eggs are cooked well to prevent salmonella poisoning.
• To prevent early childhood dental caries, never put baby to sleep with a bottle. 

For more information:

Click here to download Feeding Your Baby Booklet (2006) - English.  This booklet provides up-to-date information on infant (0-12 months) nutrition. Topics include: Breastfeeding, formula feeding, introduction of solids, oral health, and sample menus.