Learning to eat solid foods is a big task for an infant. Your baby has learned hunger can be satisfied with breast milk or infant formula. Now he has to learn that hunger can also be satisfied with solid foods. By nine months, your baby will probably enjoy three main meals a day with morning and afternoon snacks. His nutrition now comes more from solid food and less from breast milk or formula.
Continue to offer new foods. But include a variety of foods at every meal. Most of the foods you prepare for your family are fine for your nine-month-old. Chop food into small pieces. If your baby develops a rash, diarrhea or signs of upset stomach after eating a new food, stop serving it. Avoid cow's milk, honey, salt, hot spices and added sugar.
Don't worry about your baby not getting enough to eat. You don't need to coax and urge, "One more bite for daddy." If you offer a variety of healthful foods, your baby will eat what he needs. Just don't fill him up with cookies, sweet drinks or juices.
If your baby is hungry for a snack, try these foods:
- Pieces of banana
- Thin slices of whole wheat bread and butter
- Plain yogurt mixed with mashed fruit
- Small, dry cereal pieces
- Cubes of soft cheese
Satisfy thirst with water. Save juice for treats.
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