There is no evidence for a benefit to introducing complementary foods in any specific sequence or at any specific rate. However, it is generally recommended that first solid foods be single ingredient foods and that they be started one at a time at 2 to 7 day intervals. The order of introduction of complementary foods is not critical, except for providing nutrients required from complementary foods. Combination foods (instead of single-ingredient foods) may be given to older infants after tolerance for the individual components has been established.
This order is mostly based on custom and a little science.
- 6 months: cereals, yellow and orange vegetables
- 7 months: fruits
- 8 months: green vegetables
- 9 months beef, chicken, pork, fish, soy, egg yolks, beans, lentils
- 10 months: cheese, yogurt
- 12 months: honey, whole milk, egg whites, peanut butter, tree-nut butters, shell fish
Use acidic foods like citrus fruits and berries with caution in that they can cause rashes around the mouth and in the diaper area.
No juice! Juice is mostly sugar water and is one of the leading causes of poor weight gain toddlers.
