A Daily Food Guide For Your Child

In the 1st Year of Life

 

This daily food guide will help you give your child the kinds of foods he or she needs at different ages. Consult your pediatrician for the appropriate time to introduce your child to solid foods and finger foods.

 

4 to 6 Months	Iron-fortified infant cereal.  Begin rice cereal before introducing other grain-based infant cereals.	4 to 8 tablespoons of prepared cereal.
	Breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula	Varies with age (consult your physician)
	Water	As desired
7 to 8 Months	Strained fruit, plain	1 to 2 tablespoons
	Strained  vegetable, plain (avoid combination meat and vegetable dinners)	5 to 7 tablespoons
	Strained meat	1 to 2 tablespoons
	Iron-fortified infant cereal	4 to 6 tablespoons
	Toast or crackers	1 small serving
	Breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula	24 to 32 ounces
	Water	As desired
9 to 10 Months	Well-cooked soft, finely diced pieces or mashed fruits, vegetables and meats	Small servings
	Fortified, enriched infant cereal	4 to 6 tablespoons
	Fruits*	6 to 8 tablespoons
	Vegetables*	6 to 8 tablespoons
	Meat*, poultry, yogurt, cottage cheese	4 to 6 tablespoons
	Breast milk, and/or iron-fortified formula	24 to 32 ounces
	Water	As desired
	* Decrease amounts of mashed foods as your child handles chewier textures
11 to 12 Months	Infant cereal – After 1 year of age, plain, ready-to-eat cereal may be introduced as a finger food	4 to 6 tablespoons
	Breads, crackers, toast, cooked noodles	1 to 2 small servings
	Fruits: soft, canned or ripe banana cut up	1/2 cup
	Vegetables: soft, cooked, cut into bite-sized pieces	1/2 cup
	Meats: strips of tender, lean meat, cheese	2 ounces or 1/2 cup chopped
	Breast milk, and/or iron-fortified formula	24 to 30 ounces
	Water	As desired