The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Baby

Your baby is steadily gaining independence, and mealtimes are becoming quite different now. He can sit up on his own, pick things up in a firm hold, and is even learning how to chew more properly. This also means things are getting messier and messier! If you haven’t already, this might be a good time to invest in a high chair, a floor mat, and a handful of baby bibs.

In order for your baby to develop his chewing skills, you should begin offering him a new range of lumpier foods. You can also introduce a few finger foods to encourage him to gnaw and chew more often. He will still be using his gums, along with whatever little teeth he may have, so don’t expect him to be able to tackle the hard stuff just yet.

Up until now you have been pureeing all your baby’s food, offering him meals with the consistency of milk and then gradually thickening the mixtures. As a start to introducing lumpier foods, consider mashing his foods rather than pureeing them, using either a fork or a potato masher. Finger foods such as bread or pasta can be left as is.

Be sure to always supervise your baby, especially during the beginning of this new “chunkier food” phase. Almost all children gag on their food at some point or another, so make sure you’re there to react quickly.

Also, make sure you always strap your baby into his high chair if you’re using one. It’s at around this age that he is mastering a few physical skills, and he may very well try to climb out. Not only is there a physical danger from the short fall, but also from choking, should a piece of food lodge into his throat during the fall.

Remember: These new foods are simply an addition to your baby’s diet of breast milk or baby formula, not a replacement.

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