Age-appropriate diet for children

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Diet and good health

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Soft cooked vegetables, washed and peeled fruits, graham crackers, melba toast, noodles are good finger foods. Salty or sugary foods are not recommended. Teething foods, such as toast strips, unsalted crackers, bagels, and teething biscuits may also be introduced at this time.

8 - 12 MONTHS OF AGE

Breast milk or formula should be offered three to four times per day at this age. Cow's milk is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children under 1 year old.

At 8 - 12 months of age, a baby will be ready to try strained or finely chopped meats. For breastfed infants, start meats at 8 months of age (breast milk is not a rich source of iron, but infants have adequate iron stores to last until 8 months of age when iron-rich foods such as meats can be given).

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As with other foods, offer only 1 new meat per week in 3 - 4 tablespoon servings -- use strained and finely ground meats, frankfurters, or meat sticks. Serving sizes for fruits and vegetables increases to 3 - 4 tablespoons, four times per day. Eggs may be given 3 - 4 times per week, but only the yolk until the baby is 1 year old, as some babies are sensitive to egg whites.

By the age of 1, most children are off the bottle. If the child still uses a bottle, it should contain water only.

1 YEAR OF AGE

After a baby is 1-year old, whole milk may replace breast milk or formula. Children under the age of 2 should not be given low-fat milk (2%, 1%, or skim) as they need the additional calories from fat to ensure proper growth and development.

Children under the age of 1 should not be given whole milk as it has been shown to cause low blood counts. Cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt, however, may be given in small amounts.

The 1-year-old child should be getting much of their nutrition from meats, fruits and vegetables, breads and grains, and the dairy group, especially whole milk.

Providing a variety of foods will help to ensure enough vitamins and minerals. Toddlers do not grow as rapidly as babies do, so their nutritional needs relative to their size decrease during the second year of life. Although they continue to gain weight, they no longer double their weight as infants do.