Developmental Guidelines Related to Infant Feeding Newborn to 4 or 6 months Breast milk or formula Age 4 to 6 months Breast milk or formula, plus semi-liquid iron-fortified rice cereal Begin with about 1 teaspoon (tsp) dry rice cereal, mixed with 4-5 tsp breast milk or formula; gradually thicken the consistency After rice cereal, add other grain cereals, such as barley or oats Baby should show some of these signs: Holds head up Sits well in high chair Shows interest in food Seems hungry after 8- to 10-fl-oz liquid feedings and/or 40 fl oz of formula in a day Makes chewing motions Age 6 to 8 months Breast milk or formula, plus iron-fortified cereals, two to three times per day Pureed or strained fruits; begin with 1 tsp at each feeding, increase to ¼ cup (C) to ½ C Pureed or strained vegetables; begin with 1 tsp at each feeding, increase to ¼ C to ½ C   Introduce one new food every 3 days to make sure baby is not allergic Age 8 to 10 months Breast milk or formula, plus iron-fortified cereals, one to two times per day Mashed fruits and vegetables, ¼  to ½ C per day Finger foods (teething crackers, O-shaped cereal, well-cooked chunky pasta) Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (¼  to ⅓ C) Small amounts of protein (egg yolks, pureed meats and poultry, tofu) Noncitrus juices (apple. pear) Introduce one food at a time, allowing at least 3 days before introducing the next new food to make sure baby is not allergic Baby should show some of these signs: Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp) Transfers objects from one hand to another Puts everything in mouth Moves jaw in a chewing motion Age 10 to 12 months Breast milk or formula, plus iron-fortified cereals, one to two times per day Fruit cut into cubes or strips or mashed. ¼ C to ½ C per day Bite-size, soft-cooked vegetables, ¼ C to ½ C per day Finger foods (teething crackers, O-shaped cereal, well-cooked chunky pasta) Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese Small amounts of protein (egg yolks, ground or chopped meats and poultry, tofu) Noncitrus juices (apple, pear) Combination foods (macaroni and cheese, pizza, casseroles, stews) Introduce one food at a time, allowing at least 3 days before introducing the next new food to make sure baby is not allergic Baby should show some of these signs: Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp) Transfers objects from one hand to another Puts everything in his/her mouth Moves jaw in a chewing motion Has more teeth Is trying to use a spoon Age 12 to 18 months Whole milk, two to three servings of dairy per day Other dairy (soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt, cottage cheese) Iron-fortified cereals, four to six servings of cereals and all grains Other grains (bread, pasta, rice) All fruits, cut up or sliced; cooked, canned, or fresh; ¼ C to ½ C per day All vegetables, cut up or sliced; cooked, canned, or fresh; ¼ C to ½ C per day Protein, same as earlier months; can add peanut butter Citrus and noncitrus juices, 3 to 4 fl oz per day Combination foods (macaroni and cheese, pizza, casseroles, stews) Introduce one food at a time, allowing at least 3 days before introducing the next new food to make sure baby is not allergic Use caution with choking hazards, such as grapes, hot dogs, popcorn Toddler should show some of these signs: Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp) Transfers objects from one hand to another Puts everything in mouth Has more teeth Starts using a spoon Age 18 to 24 months Whole milk, two to three servings of dairy per day Other dairy (soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt, cottage cheese) Iron-fortified cereals, four to six servings of cereals and all grains Other grains (bread, pasta, rice) All fruits, cut up or sliced; cooked, canned, or fresh; two to three servings per day Dried fruit All vegetables, cut up or sliced; cooked, canned, or fresh; two to three servings per day Protein, same as earlier months; can add peanut butter; two servings per day Citrus and noncitrus juices, 3 to 4 fl oz per day Combination foods (macaroni and cheese, pizza, casseroles, stews) Introduce one food at a time, allowing at least 3 days before introducing the next new food to make sure baby is not allergic Use caution with choking hazards, such as grapes, hot dogs, popcorn Toddler should show some of these signs: Is self-feeding Uses words to ask for “more” and say “all done” Age 24 to 36 months Low-fat milk, two to three servings of dairy per day Other dairy (soft pasteurized cheese, full-fat yogurt, cottage cheese) Iron-fortified cereals, four to six servings of cereals and all grains Other grains (bread, pasta, rice) All fruits, cut up or sliced; cooked, canned, or fresh; two to three servings per day Dried fruit All vegetables, cut up or sliced; cooked, canned, or fresh; two to three servings per day Protein, same as earlier months; can add peanut butter; two servings per day Citrus and noncitrus juices, 3 to 4 fl oz per day Combination foods (macaroni and cheese, pizza, casseroles, stews) Introduce one food at a time, allowing at least 3 days before introducing the next new food to make sure baby is not allergic Use caution with choking hazards, such as grapes, hot dogs, popcorn Toddler should show some of these signs: Is self-feeding Shows eagerness to make own food choices May exhibit signs of pickiness References Nevin-Folino N, ed. Pediatric Manual of Clinical Dietetics, 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group, American Dietetic Association; 2003. Florida Dietetic Association. Handbook of Medical Nutrition Therapy: The Florida Diet Manual 2005 Edition. Tallahassee, FL: Florida Dietetic Association; 2005. Shevlov SP, Hannemann RE, eds. Caring for your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5,  4th ed. New York, NY: Bantam Publishing; 2004. Review Date 1/08 K-0535