Feeding Your Baby

Does your baby hold most foods while eating? Does he drink from a cup with a little help? Does he hold and lick the spoon after it is dipped into food?

These are the first steps in learning how to eat by himself. You can help your baby practice by giving him some of the following finger foods:

• Dry, unsweetened, round and puffed cereals
• Small pieces of soft, mild cheese
• Cooked vegetable strips or slices (carrots, peas, green or waxed beans, zucchini, or sweet potatoes)
• Peeled, soft fruit wedges or slices (bananas, peaches, pears, plums, avocados, or melons). Be sure they will “mush" easily in your baby’s mouth.
• Cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and small pieces of soft tofu

You should not put seasonings in your baby's food. Although you may find your baby's foods bland or tasteless, he likes it that way.

Your baby can now eat most of the things you cook for the rest of the family. Just take out his food before you add salt or other seasonings for the rest of the family.

Praise your baby while he is feeding himself, even if he is very messy. If the mess really bothers you, spread some newspapers or a plastic tablecloth under your baby's chair to catch food that he drops.

Picky! Picky!

Sometimes a baby will not like a certain food one day and eat it a few days later.

Every once in a while, try giving your child a food she has not liked. You may find that this is the day she likes it.

Make foods into finger foods. Nine-month-olds like to feed themselves. They like to feel grown up. Cut your baby's food into very small pieces.

Avoid foods that could cause your baby to choke. Avoid small hard foods: popcorn, nuts, seeds, or raw vegetables (unless mashed). Avoid round and slippery foods, such as whole grapes or hot dog circles.

Mealtime should be a pleasant time for you as well as for your baby. She will eat more on some days than on others. Don't force your baby to eat. She will eat if she is hungry.

Watch For Your Baby’s Cues for Hunger and Fullness

Does your baby give you the "raspberries”? That is, does he sputter with his tongue and lips? This is sometimes a clue that he has eaten enough food for now. Watch carefully for signals of “I’ve had enough.” When your baby is still hungry, he may cry if you stop feeding him. Your baby will probably follow the food with his eyes when he is hungry.