Your baby does not need solid foods in the first 4-6 months of life. Undoubtedly, you will hear many reasons why you should start solid foods, but most pediatric authorities would disagree.

0-6 months

Early introduction of solids may be associated with an increase in allergies and therefore are not recommended until 5-6 months of age. To quote the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, "early introduction of solid foods can increase the risk for food allergy, that avoidance of solids can prevent the development of specific food allergies, that some foods are more allergenic than others, and that some food allergies are more persistent than others."

Solid foods have not been found to help a baby sleep better.

6 months

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solids at 4-6 months of age.

• It is best to start when the baby is ready and interested so that you begin in a positive fashion. If the baby spits the food out of his or her mouth, try again in 5 to 10 minutes, or try again at the next meal. If the baby does not willingly accept solids in 2 to 3 days, stop trying and wait a week to try again.
• As a general rule, leave 2 to 3 days between new foods. A food that does not agree with your baby may result in a skin rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Such a food should be avoided for several months.
• Mealtimes should be fun, pleasant interactions. Do not get into a power struggle over food. When beginning solids, a baby must adjust to a spoon and to different texture. Some babies are more sensitive to textural change; if so, go slowly.
• Begin with rice and/or oatmeal cereal, about 2-4 tablespoons (you can use more as the baby grows). Mix with about 4-8 tablespoons of room-temperature formula, breast milk or water. The consistency should be similar to a bowl of oatmeal.
• You may also introduce applesauce and bananas. The quantity is about 2 ounces or 1/3 to 1/2 of a ripe banana. It's probably worth investing in a baby food mill (grinder). You can use prepared baby foods or cook and puree your own.
• Begin with breakfast or dinner. Both meals should consist of fruit and cereal. Introduce solids at a time when the baby is hungry but not starved. Give a breast feeding or bottle first in the morning. About 1/2 to 1 hour later offer solids. Through the day, the baby will then have 2-3 additional breast feedings or bottles, dinner and then breast feeding or bottle before bed.

6-9 months

• Go through the rest of the fruits (apricots, peaches, pears, plums) Avoid citrus and tomato until 9 months.
• Begin vegetables: yellow first (carrots, squash, sweet potatoes and corn) and then green (peas and string beans). The yellows are sweeter and are better accepted.

Next introduce protein foods such as:

• Yogurt (plain or vanilla) or "Yo-Baby". A full fat yogurt is best. (Use full fat products until 2 years of age.)
• Full fat cottage cheese; use a baby food mill or immersion blender to smooth out the texture.
• Chicken, veal or beef; you certainly can puree the family's chicken or beef dinner. Do not use commercial meat/vegetable combinations as they consist mainly of fillers and not much protein.

The baby's meal plan should look something like this:

• Breastfeeding or bottle upon awakening
• Breakfast - cereal and fruit, 30-60 minutes later
• Morning nap
• Mid-morning breastfeeding or bottle (optional)
• Lunch - fruit, vegetable and protein (i.e. apricots, peas, yogurt)
• Afternoon nap
• Mid-afternoon breast or bottle feeding
• Dinner - fruit, vegetable and protein (i.e. applesauce, carrots, chicken)
• Breastfeeding or bottle before bedtime

You may begin to offer water in a cup at meals. Juice is not a necessary nutritional part of a baby's diet. Don't expect the baby to hold the cup alone until 12 months of age.

9 months

• Babies are ready for table food between 8 and 10 months of age. The timing depends on how comfortable the baby is with textured foods. If the baby is sensitive to textured foods, go slowly. By ten months some babies are consuming all table foods and some are 50% table foods. The goal is to be mostly table foods by 1 year of age.
• The following foods should not be given to babies as they are choking hazards: hot dogs, popcorn, raisins, peanuts, raw carrot, raw apple, pretzels, and soft bagels. These objects are small and rigid and may obstruct the airway.
• Appropriate table foods include: cooked carrots, mashed potatoes, melted cheese on bread (crusts removed), crackers, ripe banana, spaghetti and meatballs, mac and cheese, pasta with tomato sauce and cheese, fish cakes, pancakes, french toast, and scrambled eggs.
• Foods that are appropriate pass the "mush test" - they can dissolve in the baby's mouth and teeth are not required. Put the questionable food in the palm of your hand. Add water (which is like saliva) and mash with your hand (which is like baby's gums). If it dissolves, it's fine to feed to the baby.
• When a new food is introduced, we advise waiting 2-3 days before introducing another new food. Let the baby be as independent as possible with feeding. Your goal is for the baby to be primarily on table foods and to be primarily self-feeding (with fingers) by about 12 months of age.
• For infants at high risk for allergies, the recommend age for introduction is:

1. 6-12 months - dairy products
2. 24 months - egg

Currently, it is recommended to introduce peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and seafood at 36 months for all babies.