Why it matters

• Good food fuels your child's fast-growing body and brain.

• Early eating habits help shape healthy habits for life.

• Mealtimes are bonding time. Talking and connecting at meals helps your child feel safe and loved.

The first 6 months

• Breast milk or formula is all most babies need. For about the first 6 months, breast milk is all most babies need. Formula is a healthy choice too. What matters most is that your baby is fed and growing.

• Breastfed babies need vitamin D drops every day. Ask your doctor about vitamin D and iron.

• Feed when your baby is hungry. Watch for cues like rooting, sucking, or putting hands to mouth.

Starting solid foods (around 6 months)

• Most babies are ready around 6 months, and not before 4 months.

• Signs your baby is ready: good head control, sits with support, and shows interest in food.

• Start with small tastes from a spoon while your baby sits up

• Offer iron-rich foods first, like baby cereal with iron or pureed meats.

• Keep breast milk or formula going alongside solids.

Food allergies: new advice

• You do not need to wait to offer common allergy foods. Offering them early can lower the chance of allergies.

• Once your baby handles a few first foods, offer foods like egg and peanut in baby-safe forms. No whole nuts.

• Offer each new allergy food on its own, then watch your baby. Keep offering it about 3 times a week.

• If your baby has bad eczema or a known egg allergy, ask your doctor about starting peanut early, around 4 to 6 months.

Keep your child safe at meals

• No honey before 12 months. It can make babies very sick.

• No cow's milk as a main drink before 12 months. Yogurt and cheese are fine.

• Cut food into small, thin pieces to prevent choking.

• Skip choking hazards like whole nuts, popcorn, hot dogs, hard raw veggies, and whole grapes.

• Always stay with your child while they eat.

Toddlers and picky eating

• Picky eating is normal. Your toddler is learning to be independent.

• Share the job. You decide which healthy foods to offer. Your child decides how much to eat.

• Keep offering new foods, even ones they refused before. It can take many tries.

• Eat together when you can. Children copy what they see.

What you can do now

• Offer a few healthy choices at each meal, and let your child pick.

• Make water and milk the main drinks. Limit juice.

• Eat together as a family when you can.

• Ask your Arbor team about WIC, which can help with healthy food and feeding support.

Learn more from trusted sources

HealthyChildren.org (AAP), Starting Solid Foods

HealthyChildren.org (AAP), Introducing Allergens