Schedule for Introducing
Solid Foods to Babies

Compiled by Thomas Stearns Lee, NMD

The following schedule for introducing solid foods to a breast-fed infant has been compiled from input from numerous naturopathic physicians who work extensively with infants and children.

Introducing foods to avoid food allergies

It is best to introduce new foods to babies one food at a time, preferably one every two to four days, while observing for reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, rash around the mouth, anus, or urethra, a change in stool, or change in personality.

Early in the introductory phase (up to the first year), most physicians suggest avoiding common allergens such as cow's milk, wheat, oranges, eggs, and chocolate.

Non-allergenic foods should be rotated every five to six days to minimize the sensitization which could occur when the same foods are eaten once or twice daily for 5-7 consecutive days.

6 months

Feed hypoallergenic pureed or mashed foods:  2-6 tablespoons 2-3 times per day.  Generally feed fruits apart from vegetables.

Fruits:  Blackberries, prunes, cherries, pineapple, apricots, banana, peaches.

Vegetables:  Carrots, squash, broccoli, yam, cauliflower, Jerusalem artichoke, sprouts (blended in water).

7-1/2 months

Kiwi, applesauce, and pears can be added.

6-8 months

Wait until the infant becomes very interested in solid foods or when the first teeth are coming in.

Introduce foods from the following list:

Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, endive, banana, dulse, pumpkin seeds, beet greens, green beans, raspberries, mustard greens, spinach, figs, parsley, blackberries, dandelion greens, broccoli, raisins, kelp, applesauce, leeks, pumpkin, lamb's quarters, leaf lettuce, mung beans, apricots, peas, prunes, blueberries, Jerusalem artichokes.

9 months

Start introducing foods which are high in zinc, as these are good for the immune system:  2-4 tbsp. per day.

Introduce foods from the following list:

Sweet potatoes, cabbage, oatmeal, papaya, blueberries, string beans, nectarines, potatoes, black strap molasses, split pea soup, millet.

9-12 months

Iron-containing foods that are more complex can follow at 9 to 12 months.

Black strap molasses, lima beans, pinto beans, carrots, squash, amaranth, baked potato, cauliflower, cabbage, peaches, pears, white grapes, cherries, papaya, pineapple.

Also, foods high in zinc are critical for immunity, so keep those up.   Introduce foods from the following list:

Colostrum, mustard greens, quinoa, Swiss chard, kidney beans, lima beans, dried peas, white potatoes, and leeks.

12 months

Add foods that are high in zinc and bulk:  4-10 tbsp. per day.

Introduce foods from the following list:

Acorn squash, barley, chard, tofu, yogurt, parsnips, asparagus, avocado, egg yolk, goat's milk, rice.

12-15 months

At this point, the infant should be very active and cutting molars.

Introduce foods from the following list:

Mung bean sprouts, quinoa, spinach, white rice, tofu, amaranth, kale, corn, lentils, buckwheat, broccoli, split peas, garbanzo beans, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin seeds, white potatoes, teff, goat's milk, soy milk, chicken, small amounts of tuna and other fish.

15-18 months

The infant should be very active, cutting molars, and be more able to chew.

Introduce foods from the following list:

Fish in larger amounts, oatmeal, barley, beef, lamb.

18-24 months

Foods high in B vitamins and calcium.  Take these slow -- they are tougher to digest.

Introduce foods from the following list:

Egg, rye, wheat, yogurt (cow's), yeast, cashew butter, walnuts, tahini, lamb, greens, kelp, eggplant, rye, beets, greens, chicken, rutabaga, beans, fish, buckwheat.

21 months

Foods high in protein.

Introduce foods from the following list:

Egg, almond, butter, turkey, walnuts, Cornish hen, beef, liver, cashew, butter, pineapple, wheat, brewer's yeast, oranges.

2-3 years

Introduce sunflower seeds, cottage cheese, peanut butter, clams, duck, lentils.

Allergic signs to watch for in babies

For the first six months of life, mother's milk is the only food required by most infants.  As a result, the mother should be certain that her nutritional needs are adequately met.  In addition to providing nutrition, breast milk contains immune system agents called antibodies which help the infant to fight off infections.

Avoidance of highly allergenic foods by the nursing mother will reduce the stress on her baby's developing systems, as will the delayed introduction of solid foods past six months.  New foods should be introduced one at a time so that you can watch for signs of allergic reactions.  These include the following:

• Rash around mouth or anus

• Diarrhea or mucus stool

• Skin rashes

• Hyperactivity or lethargy

• Redness of face or cheeks

• Frequent infections

• Runny nose

• Black rings under eyes

• In older children, dyslexia or writing backwards can be signs of allergies

The importance of protein

Protein is important for people of all ages, but especially for infants and children.  Each day young children require at least 0.2 grams of protein for each pound of body weight.

Even more importantly, the protein must be of a high quality, meaning that it contains all or most of the essential amino acids and is in a form that is easily digested and assimilated.  Certain amino acids are essential, because without them the body begins to break down and without enough of them, normal growth does not occur and the immune system does not function property.

As you might expect, breast feeding provides appropriate amounts of amino acids.  Switching to cow's milk gives sufficient amount of protein, but not the same essential amino acids.  Children eating a vegetarian diet rather than a meat diet must consume greater quantities of protein to be assured of assimilating sufficient essential amino acids:  0.33 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

Acknowledgements

Medical Nutrition From Marz, Russell Marz, ND

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