If you feed your baby with a bottle:Make sure everything is clean: This means hands, kitchen, and equipment. Sterilize new bottles and nipples before their first use. If you have chlorinated water, clean bottles in the dishwasher or by hand with warm, soapy water. Otherwise, boil nipples and bottles in water for 5 to 10 minutes.

Formula preparation: Talk with your baby’s health care provider about the most appropriate water for your baby that is available in your area and whether that water should be sterilized before mixing with infant formula. Follow the mixing instructions on the label or as given by your baby’s health care provider. For information about water fluoridation, see the Florida Department of Health, Dental Health website at: www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/dental/fluoridation/index.html.

To reduce the amount of lead in the water: Do not boil the water for longer than 2 minutes. Use only cold tap water and let the cold water run for 2 minutes before using it. Do not use hot tap water.

Warming baby’s bottle: The best way to warm a bottle of formula is to place the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then shake the bottle. Use a prepared bottle of formula immediately. Throw away any formula left in the bottle after a feeding. Do not use a microwave oven to heat breastmilk or infant formula. The liquid heats unevenly, can get too hot, and can burn your baby’s mouth.

Storing formula: Mixed formula that has never been heated may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Leftover, prepared formula that has been warmed should be thrown out and not re-refrigerated for future use. Store ready-to-feed and concentrated liquid formula covered in the original can in the refrigerator. Use within 48 hours of opening. Powdered formula, which is covered tightly with a lid, may be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 30 days.

Always hold your baby: Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle or prop the bottle in your baby’s mouth. Your baby could choke or could develop tooth decay.

INSIDE:

A poster to hang on

your wall or refrigerator!

Food forBaby’s First Year

Baby Food Tips• Buy only single-ingredient jars of baby foods such as plain vegetables, fruits, and meats. These baby

foods have a greater nutritional value when compared to baby food mixed dinners. Plain meats can be mixed with plain vegetables or fruits to make your own “mixed” dinners.

• Plain fruits can be served instead of baby desser ts. Baby desser ts contain added sugars and starches, and are low in vitamins.

• Feedyourbabyfromabowl,not from the jar. This way, the baby’s saliva on the spoon will not spoil the food left in the jar. Refrigerate any food left in the jar and use within 2 days; or 24 hours if it is meat or egg yolk. Any food left in the bowl should be thrown away.

• Lookatthe“use-by”dateonbabyfoodjarsandinfantformulacans.“Use-by”datesarelocatedon the top of baby food jars and on the top or bottom of formula cans. If the date has passed, do not buy or use the food or formula. Do not buy or use baby food jars if seal is broken. The seal is broken if the button on the center of the top is popped out. Do not buy or use cans of formula that have dents, pinched tops or bottoms, puffed ends, leaks, or rust spots. The formula in damaged cans may be unsafe for your baby.

This brochure contains general guidelines for feeding healthy babies. Talk with the nutritionist or health care provider for more information on feeding your baby.

Feeding tips for your baby:

WIC is an equal opportunity provider. DH 150-90, 10/10 Stock Number: 5730-090-0150-4

• Babiesneedshotstoprotectthemfromdisease.

• Bringyourbaby’sshotrecordeachtimeyoucometoWIC.

Be Wise...Immunize

•honey—Thiscancausefood poisoning. Also, avoid foods made with honey such as honey graham crackers.

•cornsyrupandothersweetsyrups

•candies,chocolate,cake,andpie

•foodsanddrinkswithartificialsweeteners

•sodaandsweeteneddrinks

•alltypesofcoffeeandtea

•babyfooddesserts

•foodwithaddedspices,seasonings,salt,andfatsuchasfrenchfries and breaded fried foods

Do not feed home-prepared spinach, beets, turnips, carrots, or collards to babies under 6 months old. These types of home-prepared vegetables may contain large amounts of nitrites or nitrates which could make babies under 6 months of age sick.

•Cutroundfoods,likesoft-cookedcarrots,into short strips instead of coin-shaped slices.

•Grindtoughmeat.

•Mashorgrindcookedbeans,corn,andpeas.

•Cutcheesechunksintoverysmall,thinpieces.

•Cutgrapesandcherriesintoverysmallpieces and remove skin, seeds, or pits.

These foods should not be fed to your baby:

Cut, grind, or mash hard-to-chew foods:

Prevent Choking

Health Advisory for Mercury in Fish

Fish can be an important part of a balanced diet. However, some fish contain high levels of mercury. Too much mercury can harm unborn babies, infants, and young children. Therefore, infants should be fed fish according to these guidelines:

1. Infants should not eat these fish with high mercury: Bass (Striped),Bluefish,ChileanSeaBass,GoldenSnapper,Jack(Amberjack,Crevalle),KingMackerel,Marlin,OrangeRoughy,SeaLamprey,Shark,SpanishMackerel(GulfofMexico),Swordfish,Tilefish(GulfofMexico), Tuna (all fresh or frozen), and Walleye(GreatLakes).

2. Infants 8 to 12 months old should eat no more than 2 meals per week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury. Some of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are canned lighttuna,salmon,pollock,andcatfish.Whitealbacoretuna is higher in mercury, therefore light tuna should be selected instead of white albacore tuna.

3. Checklocaladvisoriesaboutthesafetyoffishcaughtbyfamilyandfriendsinlocallakes,rivers,andcoastalareas.InformationaboutFloridaFishConsumptionAdvisoriesisavailableatthiswebsite: www.doh.state.fl.us/FloridaFishAdvice.

•eggwhites

•shellfishsuchasshrimp,clams,crab,lobster,scallops,andoysters

•wholecow’smilk(anytype)

Wait until your baby is 1 year old to feed him/her these foods. These foods may cause allergic reactions in babies:

Your baby should not be left alone when he/she is eating.

These foods can cause choking and should not be given to your baby:

•popcorn,nuts,andseeds

•potatochips,cornchips,pretzels,andcheesecurls

•peanutbutter

•hardcookies

•raisinsandotherdriedfruits

•rawvegetablessuchascarrotsandcelery

•marshmallows

•roundshapedcandies,gumdrops,andchewinggum

•hardpiecesoffruit,wholepiecesofcannedfruit,whole grapes, whole cherries, or fruits with pits or seeds

•granolaandplainwheatgerm

•hot,stickybreadsthatcan“ballup”andcausechoking

•fish,chicken,orturkeywith bones

•hotdogsandsausages—Thesealsoshouldnot be fed to babies because they are high in fat and salt.

•breadedfishsticksand“babyfood”meatsticks—Thesefoodsarenotintendedforinfantsunder 1 year of age.

If you feed your baby with a bottle:Make sure everything is clean: This means hands, kitchen, and equipment. Sterilize new bottles and nipples before their first use. If you have chlorinated water, clean bottles in the dishwasher or by hand with warm, soapy water. Otherwise, boil nipples and bottles in water for 5 to 10 minutes.

Formula preparation: Talk with your baby’s health care provider about the most appropriate water for your baby that is available in your area and whether that water should be sterilized before mixing with infant formula. Follow the mixing instructions on the label or as given by your baby’s health care provider. For information about water fluoridation, see the Florida Department of Health, Dental Health website at: www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/dental/fluoridation/index.html.

To reduce the amount of lead in the water: Do not boil the water for longer than 2 minutes. Use only cold tap water and let the cold water run for 2 minutes before using it. Do not use hot tap water.

Warming baby’s bottle: The best way to warm a bottle of formula is to place the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then shake the bottle. Use a prepared bottle of formula immediately. Throw away any formula left in the bottle after a feeding. Do not use a microwave oven to heat breastmilk or infant formula. The liquid heats unevenly, can get too hot, and can burn your baby’s mouth.

Storing formula: Mixed formula that has never been heated may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Leftover, prepared formula that has been warmed should be thrown out and not re-refrigerated for future use. Store ready-to-feed and concentrated liquid formula covered in the original can in the refrigerator. Use within 48 hours of opening. Powdered formula, which is covered tightly with a lid, may be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 30 days.

Always hold your baby: Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle or prop the bottle in your baby’s mouth. Your baby could choke or could develop tooth decay.

INSID

E:

A post

er to

han

g on

your w

all o

r ref

riger

ator! Food for

Baby’s First Year

Baby Food Tips•Buy only single-ingredient jars of baby foods such as plain vegetables, fruits, and meats. These baby

foods have a greater nutritional value when compared to baby food mixed dinners. Plain meats can be mixed with plain vegetables or fruits to make your own “mixed” dinners.

•Plainfruitscanbeservedinsteadofbabydesserts.Babydessertscontainadded sugars and starches, and are low in vitamins.

•Feedyourbabyfromabowl,not from the jar. This way, the baby’s saliva on the spoon will not spoil the food left in the jar. Refrigerate any food left in the jar and use within 2 days; or 24 hours if it is meat or egg yolk. Any food left in the bowl should be thrown away.

•Lookatthe“use-by”dateonbabyfoodjarsandinfantformulacans.“Use-by”datesarelocatedon the top of baby food jars and on the top or bottom of formula cans. If the date has passed, do not buy or use the food or formula. Do not buy or use baby food jars if seal is broken. The seal is broken if the button on the center of the top is popped out. Do not buy or use cans of formula that have dents, pinched tops or bottoms, puffed ends, leaks, or rust spots. The formula in damaged cans may be unsafe for your baby.

This brochure contains general guidelines for feeding healthy babies. Talk with the nutritionist or health care provider for more information on feeding your baby.

Feeding tips for your baby:

WIC is an equal opportunity provider. DH 150-90, 10/10 Stock Number: 5730-090-0150-4

•Babiesneedshotstoprotectthemfromdisease.

•Bringyourbaby’sshotrecordeachtimeyoucometoWIC.

Be Wise...Immunize

• honey—Thiscancausefood poisoning. Also, avoid foods made with honey such as honey graham crackers.

• cornsyrupandothersweetsyrups

• candies,chocolate,cake,andpie

• foodsanddrinkswithartificialsweeteners

• sodaandsweeteneddrinks

• alltypesofcoffeeandtea

• babyfooddesserts

• foodwithaddedspices,seasonings,salt,andfatsuchasfrenchfries and breaded fried foods

Do not feed home-prepared spinach, beets, turnips, carrots, or collards to babies under 6 months old. These types of home-prepared vegetables may contain large amounts of nitrites or nitrates which could make babies under 6 months of age sick.

• Cutroundfoods,likesoft-cookedcarrots,into short strips instead of coin-shaped slices.

• Grindtoughmeat.

• Mashorgrindcookedbeans,corn,andpeas.

• Cutcheesechunksintoverysmall,thinpieces.

• Cutgrapesandcherriesintoverysmallpieces and remove skin, seeds, or pits.

These foods should not be fed to your baby:

Cut, grind, or mash hard-to-chew foods:

Prevent Choking

Health Advisory for Mercury in Fish

Fish can be an important part of a balanced diet. However, some fish contain high levels of mercury. Too much mercury can harm unborn babies, infants, and young children. Therefore, infants should be fed fish according to these guidelines:

1. Infants should not eat these fish with high mercury: Bass (Striped),Bluefish,ChileanSeaBass,GoldenSnapper,Jack(Amberjack,Crevalle),KingMackerel,Marlin,OrangeRoughy,SeaLamprey,Shark,SpanishMackerel(GulfofMexico),Swordfish,Tilefish(GulfofMexico), Tuna (all fresh or frozen), and Walleye(GreatLakes).

2. Infants 8 to 12 months old should eat no more than 2 meals per week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury. Some of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are canned lighttuna,salmon,pollock,andcatfish.Whitealbacoretuna is higher in mercury, therefore light tuna should be selected instead of white albacore tuna.

3. Checklocaladvisoriesaboutthesafetyoffishcaughtbyfamilyandfriendsinlocallakes,rivers,andcoastal areas. InformationaboutFloridaFishConsumptionAdvisories isavailableat thiswebsite: www.doh.state.fl.us/FloridaFishAdvice.

• eggwhites

• shellfishsuchasshrimp,clams,crab,lobster,scallops,andoysters

• wholecow’smilk(anytype)

Wait until your baby is 1 year old to feed him/her these foods. These foods may cause allergic reactions in babies:

Your baby should not be left alone when he/she is eating.

These foods can cause choking and should not be given to your baby:

• popcorn,nuts,andseeds

• potatochips,cornchips,pretzels,andcheesecurls

• peanutbutter

• hardcookies

• raisinsandotherdriedfruits

• rawvegetablessuchascarrotsandcelery

• marshmallows

• roundshapedcandies,gumdrops,andchewinggum

• hardpiecesoffruit,wholepiecesofcannedfruit,whole grapes, whole cherries, or fruits with pits or seeds

• granolaandplainwheatgerm

• hot,stickybreadsthatcan“ballup”andcausechoking

• fish,chicken,orturkeywith bones

• hotdogsandsausages—Thesealsoshouldnot be fed to babies because they are high in fat and salt.

• breadedfishsticksand“babyfood”meatsticks—Thesefoodsarenotintendedforinfantsunder 1 year of age.

If you feed your baby with a bottle:Make sure everything is clean: This means hands, kitchen, and equipment. Sterilize new bottles and nipples before their first use. If you have chlorinated water, clean bottles in the dishwasher or by hand with warm, soapy water. Otherwise, boil nipples and bottles in water for 5 to 10 minutes.

Formula preparation: Talk with your baby’s health care provider about the most appropriate water for your baby that is available in your area and whether that water should be sterilized before mixing with infant formula. Follow the mixing instructions on the label or as given by your baby’s health care provider. For information about water fluoridation, see the Florida Department of Health, Dental Health website at: www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/dental/fluoridation/index.html.

To reduce the amount of lead in the water: Do not boil the water for longer than 2 minutes. Use only cold tap water and let the cold water run for 2 minutes before using it. Do not use hot tap water.

Warming baby’s bottle: The best way to warm a bottle of formula is to place the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then shake the bottle. Use a prepared bottle of formula immediately. Throw away any formula left in the bottle after a feeding. Do not use a microwave oven to heat breastmilk or infant formula. The liquid heats unevenly, can get too hot, and can burn your baby’s mouth.

Storing formula: Mixed formula that has never been heated may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Leftover, prepared formula that has been warmed should be thrown out and not re-refrigerated for future use. Store ready-to-feed and concentrated liquid formula covered in the original can in the refrigerator. Use within 48 hours of opening. Powdered formula, which is covered tightly with a lid, may be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 30 days.

Always hold your baby: Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle or prop the bottle in your baby’s mouth. Your baby could choke or could develop tooth decay.

INSIDE:

A poster to hang on

your wall or refrigerator!

Food forBaby’s First Year

Baby Food Tips• Buy only single-ingredient jars of baby foods such as plain vegetables, fruits, and meats. These baby

foods have a greater nutritional value when compared to baby food mixed dinners. Plain meats can be mixed with plain vegetables or fruits to make your own “mixed” dinners.

• Plain fruits can be served instead of baby desser ts. Baby desser ts contain added sugars and starches, and are low in vitamins.

• Feedyourbabyfromabowl,not from the jar. This way, the baby’s saliva on the spoon will not spoil the food left in the jar. Refrigerate any food left in the jar and use within 2 days; or 24 hours if it is meat or egg yolk. Any food left in the bowl should be thrown away.

• Lookatthe“use-by”dateonbabyfoodjarsandinfantformulacans.“Use-by”datesarelocatedon the top of baby food jars and on the top or bottom of formula cans. If the date has passed, do not buy or use the food or formula. Do not buy or use baby food jars if seal is broken. The seal is broken if the button on the center of the top is popped out. Do not buy or use cans of formula that have dents, pinched tops or bottoms, puffed ends, leaks, or rust spots. The formula in damaged cans may be unsafe for your baby.

This brochure contains general guidelines for feeding healthy babies. Talk with the nutritionist or health care provider for more information on feeding your baby.

Feeding tips for your baby:

WIC is an equal opportunity provider. DH 150-90, 10/10 Stock Number: 5730-090-0150-4

• Babiesneedshotstoprotectthemfromdisease.

• Bringyourbaby’sshotrecordeachtimeyoucometoWIC.

Be Wise...Immunize

•honey—Thiscancausefood poisoning. Also, avoid foods made with honey such as honey graham crackers.

•cornsyrupandothersweetsyrups

•candies,chocolate,cake,andpie

•foodsanddrinkswithartificialsweeteners

•sodaandsweeteneddrinks

•alltypesofcoffeeandtea

•babyfooddesserts

•foodwithaddedspices,seasonings,salt,andfatsuchasfrenchfries and breaded fried foods

Do not feed home-prepared spinach, beets, turnips, carrots, or collards to babies under 6 months old. These types of home-prepared vegetables may contain large amounts of nitrites or nitrates which could make babies under 6 months of age sick.

•Cutroundfoods,likesoft-cookedcarrots,into short strips instead of coin-shaped slices.

•Grindtoughmeat.

•Mashorgrindcookedbeans,corn,andpeas.

•Cutcheesechunksintoverysmall,thinpieces.

•Cutgrapesandcherriesintoverysmallpieces and remove skin, seeds, or pits.

These foods should not be fed to your baby:

Cut, grind, or mash hard-to-chew foods:

Prevent Choking

Health Advisory for Mercury in Fish

Fish can be an important part of a balanced diet. However, some fish contain high levels of mercury. Too much mercury can harm unborn babies, infants, and young children. Therefore, infants should be fed fish according to these guidelines:

1. Infants should not eat these fish with high mercury: Bass (Striped),Bluefish,ChileanSeaBass,GoldenSnapper,Jack(Amberjack,Crevalle),KingMackerel,Marlin,OrangeRoughy,SeaLamprey,Shark,SpanishMackerel(GulfofMexico),Swordfish,Tilefish(GulfofMexico), Tuna (all fresh or frozen), and Walleye(GreatLakes).

2. Infants 8 to 12 months old should eat no more than 2 meals per week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury. Some of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are canned lighttuna,salmon,pollock,andcatfish.Whitealbacoretuna is higher in mercury, therefore light tuna should be selected instead of white albacore tuna.

3. Checklocaladvisoriesaboutthesafetyoffishcaughtbyfamilyandfriendsinlocallakes,rivers,andcoastalareas.InformationaboutFloridaFishConsumptionAdvisoriesisavailableatthiswebsite: www.doh.state.fl.us/FloridaFishAdvice.

•eggwhites

•shellfishsuchasshrimp,clams,crab,lobster,scallops,andoysters

•wholecow’smilk(anytype)

Wait until your baby is 1 year old to feed him/her these foods. These foods may cause allergic reactions in babies:

Your baby should not be left alone when he/she is eating.

These foods can cause choking and should not be given to your baby:

•popcorn,nuts,andseeds

•potatochips,cornchips,pretzels,andcheesecurls

•peanutbutter

•hardcookies

•raisinsandotherdriedfruits

•rawvegetablessuchascarrotsandcelery

•marshmallows

•roundshapedcandies,gumdrops,andchewinggum

•hardpiecesoffruit,wholepiecesofcannedfruit,whole grapes, whole cherries, or fruits with pits or seeds

•granolaandplainwheatgerm

•hot,stickybreadsthatcan“ballup”andcausechoking

•fish,chicken,orturkeywith bones

•hotdogsandsausages—Thesealsoshouldnot be fed to babies because they are high in fat and salt.

•breadedfishsticksand“babyfood”meatsticks—Thesefoodsarenotintendedforinfantsunder 1 year of age.

• Pediatriciansrecommendbabiesbebreastfeduntilatleast1yearofageorolder.

• Ifyouarethinkingaboutgivinginfantformula(artificialbabymilk)toyourbreastfedbaby,talkwiththenutritionistorhealthcareprovider.

• Babieswhoarenotbreastfedneediron-fortifiedinfantformulauntiltheyare1yearold.

Baby Cereal • 4to8tablespoonsormoreperdayof

preparedcereal • Beginmixedgrainbabycerealatabout

8months.

Vegetables: peeled; soft-cooked or canned; and then ground, mashed, or chopped

• 4to8tablespoonsormoreperday

Fruits: peeled; soft or soft-cooked or canned; and then ground, mashed, or chopped

• 4to8tablespoonsormoreperday

Meat or Meat Substitutes: cooked and then ground, mashed, or chopped

• leanmeat,chicken,turkey,fish*(noshellfish),drybeans,oreggyolk(yellowpartoftheeggonly)

• 1to6tablespoonsperday*SeeHealth Advisory for Mercury in Fish ontheothersideofthisbrochure. Grains • crackers,toast,noodles,rice,grits,and

softtortillapieces • 2to3timesperday

Yogurt and Soft Cheese • smallamounts

Water • 4to8ozperdayorasneeded.See

informationaboutwaterinthe6to8monthssection.Checkwithyourbaby’shealthcareproviderformoreinformation.

Fruit Juice is not recommended for babies under 12 months of age.

Water Healthybabiesunder6monthsolddonotusuallyneedtobegivenwaterbottles.Checkwithyourbaby’shealthcareproviderformoreinformation.

Breastfed Babies• 4to6ormorebreastfeedingsperday

Formula Fed Babies• 6to8ozformulaperfeeding• 4to5feedingsperdayforages8-10months• 3to4feedingsperdayforages10-12months• totalof24to32ozofformulaperday

8 to 12 Months

At 8 to 10 months, let your baby begin to eat some foods with his/her fingers. At 10 to 12 months, let your baby begin to feed himself/herself with a spoon.

Breastfed BabiesBirth to 2 months:

• 8to12ormorebreastfeedingsperday

2 to 4 months:• 8to10ormorebreastfeedingsperday

4 to 6 months:• 6to8ormorebreastfeedingsperday

Formula Fed BabiesBirth to 1 month:

• 2to3ozformulaperfeeding• 8to12feedingsperday

1 to 4 months:• 4to6ozformulaperfeeding• 6to8feedingsperday

4 to 6 months:• 5to8ozformulaperfeeding• 5to6feedingsperday

Most babies are ready to eat baby cereal when they can hold their heads steady, sit with some support, and take cereal off a spoon.

In the United States, it is recommended that women with HIV or AIDS not breast-feed as the virus can be passed to their baby through breastmilk. If you do not know your HIV status, please ask your health care provider for an HIV test.

At 8 to 10 months, most babies are ready to begin to eat mashed or ground foods.

At 10 to 12 months, most babies are ready to begin to eat chopped foods.

Birth to 6 Months

Baby Cereal• Begin iron-for tified baby

cereal between 4 and 6months.Forbabieswhoareonlybreastfed,waituntilabout6months.

• Startwith rice baby cereal.Mix dry cerealwith breast-milk,infantformula,orwater.

• Feedricecerealfor1week,thenstartoatmealorbarleycereal.Feedyourbabyonlyonenewcerealeachweek.

• Feed 1 to 8 tablespoonspreparedcerealperdaywitha spoon, not in a bottle orinfantfeeder.

• Wait until 8months to startmixedgrainbabycereal.

Food for Baby’s First Year Sample Daily Meal Plan

for ages 8 to 12 monthsEarly Morning • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula

Mid Morning • 4to8tablespoonspreparedcereal

orgrits • 4tablespoonsfruit

Noon Meal • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula • 4tablespoonsvegetables • 1to4tablespoonsmeat

Mid Afternoon • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula • crackers • softcheeseoryogurt

Evening Meal • 4tablespoonsvegetables • 1to4tablespoonsmeat • 4tablespoonsfruit • grainssuchasnoodles,rice,or

softtortillapieces

Before Bedtime • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula

Note:Morebreastfeedingsperdaymaybeneeded,especiallyforyoungerbabies.

6 to 8 Months

Breastfed Babies • 4to6ormorebreastfeedingsperday

Formula Fed Babies • 6to8ozformulaperfeeding • 4to5feedingsperday • totalof27to32ozofformulaperdayIfyourbabyisbothbreastfedandformulafed,talkwiththenutritionistorhealthcareprovideraboutyourbaby’sfeedingpattern.

Baby Cereal • 4to8tablespoonsormoreperdayof

preparedcereal

Pureed Vegetables • 4to8tablespoonsormoreperday

Pureed Fruits • 4to8tablespoonsormoreperday

Pureed Meats • cookedleanmeat,chickenorturkey • 1to6tablespoonsperday Water • Babiesover6monthsoldwhoare

eatingavarietyoffoodsmayneedtobegivenabout4to8ozofplainwaterperday.Theremaybetimeswhenyourbabyneedstobegivenmorewater.Checkwithyourbaby’shealthcareproviderformoreinformation.

Fruit Juice is not recommended for babies under 12 months of age.

How many tablespoons are in a jar of baby food?

Sample Daily Meal Plan for ages 6 to 8 months

Early Morning • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula

Mid Morning • 4tablespoonspreparedbabycereal • 4tablespoonspureedfruit

Noon Meal • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula • 4tablespoonspureedvegetables • 1to3tablespoonspureedmeat

MidAfternoon • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula

Evening Meal • 4tablespoonspureedvegetables • 1to3tablespoonspureedmeat • 4tablespoonspureedfruit

Before Bedtime • breastfeedorgive6to8ozformula • 4tablespoonspreparedbabycereal

Note:Morebreastfeedingsperdaymaybeneeded,especiallyforyoungerbabies.

8 tablespoons =

12 tablespoons =

5 tablespoons =

Making Your Own Baby Food

Makeyourownbabyfoodorbuyitinjarsatthegrocerystore.Seethe“BabyFoodTips”onthebackofthisbrochureforinformationaboutbuyingbabyfood.To make pureed baby food:

1. Prepare meats by removing thebones,skin,andvisiblefat.

2. Pre p a re f re s h f ru i t s a n d vegetablesbyscrubbingandpeelingoff theskin.Removestems,pits,andseeds.Somefreshfruits,likebananas,andmostcannedfruitsandvegetablesdon’t need to be cooked beforepureeing.Buycannedfoodsthathavenoaddedsugar,syrup,orsalt.

3. Boil foodsuntilsoft,injustenoughwater to cover foods.Allow to cool.Puree food in a food processor or blender, adding small amounts ofcookingwateruntilmixtureissmoothandcreamy.

Feed your baby only one new food per week. Then you can find out if your baby has a problem with the new food.