Recommendations for the introduction of baby’s first solids during the first year

• Your baby’s digestive system is too immature for solids before six months of age.
• Start with mashed foods.  Don’t liquefy and strain your baby’s food.  Modify food texture as your child grows.
• Start with vegetables such as potatoes, squash, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes and then include fruit such as papaya, bananas and red apples.
• Each time a new food is incorporated into your baby’s diet, make sure to feed it to him for 3-4 days and watch out for any allergic reaction.
• Avoid acid fruits such as pineapple, oranges, mandarins, guavas, strawberries, etc.
• At 7-8 months of age, include lean beef and chicken.  Avoid cold cuts, sausage, pork and fish.
• At 8-9 months of age, your child’s diet can include pasta, cookies, bread, beans, chickpeas, mashed lentils and cooked egg yolk (egg white can only be included after the first year).
• Make sure to avoid dairy products, chocolate, honey, artificial colorings, citrus fruit, shellfish, soya, caffeinated beverages, sweets, soft drinks and sausage.
• Don’t add salt or sugar to food.
• Follow a regular feeding schedule.
• Make sure to offer new food repeatedly (10-12 times) so your baby accepts it.
A visit to a nutritionist at an early age for advice about correct eating habits will result in better digestive health and the tranquility of knowing that your child will develop in a healthy manner.

Nutrition specialists at Clínica Bíblica Hospital are available to consult on all aspects of infant and child nutrition.

Prepared by:
Dr. Natalia Quirós B. - Nutricionist
Clínica Bíblica Hospital
(506) 2522-1000

For more information, please call Clínica Bíblica Hospital at 2522-1000.