Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

Nutrition in Later Infancy and Toddlerhood
In early infancy, nutrition choices are relatively simple (though not necessarily easy!). When
the baby is hungry, it’s time to breastfeed or prepare a bottle. But in later infancy and
toddlerhood, a baby’s food horizons expand. This is an exciting period of learning about
foods and how to eat with the rest of the family.
INTRODUCING SOLID FOODS
The World Health Organization recommends that babies begin eating some solid foods at
6 months while continuing to breastfeed. Other health organizations offer more flexible
advice, recommending that solid foods be introduced sometime between 4 and 6 months,
depending on the baby’s development, interest in eating solids, and family preferences.
Regardless, most babies aren’t ready to eat solid foods before 4 months, and starting too
soon may increase the risk of obesity. Yet it’s also important not to start solids too late, as
beyond 6 months, breast milk alone can’t support a baby’s nutrient requirements. 1
However, as babies begin to eat solids, breast milk or formula continue to be the
nutritional foundation of the diet. This period is also called complementary feeding, because
solid foods are meant to complement the nutrients provided by breast milk or formula.
Between 6 and 12 months, babies gradually eat more solid foods and less milk so that by
12 months, formula is no longer needed. Breastfeeding mothers may choose to wean at 12
months or continue breastfeeding as long as she and the baby like.
Babies should be developmentally ready to eat solids before trying their first foods. A baby
ready for solids should be able to do the following: 1
• Sit up without support (e.g., in a high chair or lap)
• Open mouth for a spoonful of food and swallow it without gagging or pushing it
back out
• Reach for and grasp food or toys and bring them to his or her mouth
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