These few lines of advice should help you deal with this period of dietary change. However, remember that if your baby has an allergy or has to follow a special diet, then you should not follow our recommendations. Instead, follow your doctor's advice to the letter.
- Up to 3 months: breast milk or infant formula milk
- 4-5 months: breast milk or follow-on milk + introduction to fruit juices and/or a meal of fruit (stewed fruit, or mashed fresh fruit)
- 5-6 months: breast milk or follow-on milk + fruit + introduction of vegetables around 5 months + introduction of puréed meat around 6 months (You can use any kind of meat but it must be thoroughly cooked and well minced. It is rich in proteins and iron. Initially, baby only needs very little: 2-3 teaspoons are enough at the age of 6 months, increasing to 4-6 teaspoons by around one year)
- 6-7 months: 4 meals per day … including two milk-based + introduction of puréed fish and eggs in addition to the foods mentioned above (fish is a good source of protein and it can be given to your child in the same quantities as meat; initially, it is best to give baby well puréed, hard-boiled egg yolk only)
- 8-9 months: 4 meals… just like the older ones!
1. morning: 1 bottle or feed or a milk-based product
2. midday: a meal of puréed vegetables and meat or fish
3. afternoon snack: fruit and a rusk suitable for the child´s age group
4. evening: 1 bottle or milky cereal or vegetable soup followed by a milk-based dessert or cheese
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At 12 months, your child will be able to eat practically the same meals as you; however, you should make sure you include a lot of milk (around 500 - 600 ml per day), enriched with iron if possible.
This "diet" should be flexible and adapted to suit each child. Just like ours, baby’s appetite can vary. Don´t worry if he doesn´t eat much at one meal - he´ll make up for it at the next!
