your baby nutrition


Any food with a purée consistency will do


The good news: Gone is the time when


you had to introduce new foods in a particular order. Any food with a purée consistency will do — fruits, vegetables or meats, store-bought or homemade. Just be sure to wait two to three days before each new selection, to help identify possible allergies or intolerances. As your baby gets older, he will be able


to handle foods that have a more solid con- sistency. Have him try tasty bites of mashed banana or sweet potato. When he is able to pick up small objects between his thumb and forefi nger, move on to fi nger foods. Cut-up pasta, cooked peas and Cheerios are good choices. Be sure to cut fi nger foods into pieces no larger than a pea.


Although it can be messy, feeding time is fun


Pay attention to choking risks, and never


leave your baby’s side while he is eating. A few of the most dangerous choking hazards include whole grapes, carrots and hot dogs. Avoid nuts, popcorn, gum and candy. When given by the spoonful, even spreads like peanut butter can be unsafe. Some parents may worry that exposing


their babies to certain types of food will in- crease the chance of allergies. It turns out that babies who eat a variety of foods early on may actually decrease their chances of developing allergies to them. Although it can be messy, feeding time is


fun and helps your little foodie establish good eating habits that last a lifetime.


Pediatrician Elizabeth Shashaty, MD, is on staff at Children’s National Medical Center and Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, both in Washington, DC.


54 www.youandyourfamily.com


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