Foods That Babys Can Eat Foods That Babies Can Eat

Baby in high chair eating

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There are very few hard-and-fast rules about introducing baby food. Experts simply recommend giving your infant one new food every three days, watching closely for signs of allergic reaction, and avoiding choking hazards. If you're confused about what, exactly, to feed your little one, check out these 20 healthy and safe options.

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When to Start Baby Food

Baby Girl Eating in High Chair

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says you should introduce solids between 4 and 6 months, but the answer depends on your baby. He might be ready if he exhibits the following signs:

• Sitting upright and holding up his head
• Looking around himself curiously
• Ability to swallow and loss of "tongue thrust" reflex (this prevents you from putting solid objects into your baby's mouth)
• Seeming dissatisfied from milk alone

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7 Foods to Feed Baby Before Age 1

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Berries

handful of strawberries

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Salmon

Salmon steaks

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Babies' growing brains crave DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that's essential to cognitive development—and salmon is packed with the stuff.  Mash some cooked, flaked fish into a puree, or bread it and bake it for salmon nuggets.

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Peanuts

Glass jar of peanut butter

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Onions and Garlic

cutting onions

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Who says you need to stick with traditional baby food? Try including small amounts of onion, leeks, scallions, and garlic into your baby's diet. When cooked, these flavor-boosters add a mellow, savory quality to purees and chunkier baby meals.

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Spinach and Other Leafy Greens

spinach

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Beef

Tray of Raw Beef Steak

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If your family eats meat, don't shy away from beef. Full of protein and zinc, it's an ideal early baby food. Serve it pureed on its own or mixed with potato, sweet potato, or a green vegetable puree.

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Whole Grains

quinoa

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There's no reason to limit your baby's starches to old-fashioned rice cereal. Try cereals made from oats, quinoa, brown rice, or other whole grains—which generally have more fiber and often more flavor.

• RELATED: When Do Babies Start Eating Baby Food?

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Squash

Butternut Squash Puree

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How to Make Baby Food: Butternut Squash Puree

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Eggs

How to Hard Boil an Egg

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With six grams of protein, healthy fats, and choline for eye health, eggs are a great baby food. And they're also perfectly easy to prepare; simply blend a scrambled egg with a vegetable puree, cut up an omelet as a finger food, or chop a hard-boiled egg for easy eating.

• RELATED: Baby's First Finger Foods

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Lentils

Lemony Lentil Soup

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Did you know lentils are an amazing source of iron? Unlike dried beans, they require no soaking, and they combine well with a variety of savory add-ins like veggies, mild curry powder, and fresh herbs.

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More Baby Food Options

peach slices

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Continue to expand your infant's horizons with these baby food options:

• Peaches
• Zucchini
• Lamb
• Kale
• Strawberries
• Oats
• Beets
• Basil and other herbs
• Pumpkin
• Cheese

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Foods That Babys Can Eat Foods That Babies Can Eat

Source: https://www.parents.com/recipes/baby-food/20-foods-to-feed-your-baby-before-age-one/

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