Food Charts

These foods are considered safe to introduce to your child at these ages:

6-8 months

Grains: rice, barley, oat

Fruits: avocado, apples, banana, pears, apricots, mango, nectarines, peaches, plums, prunes, pumpkin

Vegetables: squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, zucchini, parsnips

Meat: chicken, turkey

Dairy: plain whole milk yogurt

8-10 months

Grains: barley, buckwheat, flax, oat, pasta, quinoa, rice, wheat, wheat germ, sesame, spelt

Fruits: avocado, apricots, apples, banana, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, dates, figs, grapes, kiwi, mango, nectarines, papaya, peaches, pears, plums, prunes, pumpkin

Vegetables: squash, asparagus, beans/legumes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, zucchini

Meat: beef, chicken, fish, ham, pork, turkey

Dairy: plain whole milk yogurt, cottage cheese, mild hard cheeses (colby, cheddar, etc.)

Eggs 

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Once your child reaches 1 year of age there are very few foods that are considered to be unsafe. Below is information of those. Keep in mind, however, as you introduce more and more foods and your child gets better at eating - choking is still a real danger, so know your baby/toddler to know what foods you need to chop/cut up. And, as always, keep your eye on them as they eat!

 

Many pediatricians and nutritionists use to recommend holding off on giving citrus to your child until after the age of 1 however in recent years that has changed. Watch your child closely for any rashes (particularly diaper rash) when you first introduce citrus. If your child has a reaction then hold off on giving it to them again until they are older.

Due to the number and severity of peanut allergies these days, peanut butter has been recommended to be held off until your child is 1-2 years old, but recent studies have changed that and said as early as 6 months is fine. As the jury is still out on this issue, it is probably best to wait until your child is at least 1 year old.

Never give honey to a child under 1 year of age. Honey contains spores that can cause infant botulism which is a very serious and deadly illness. Every doctor and nutritionist agrees with this one... there is no middle ground with honey.