Which Table Foods Are Best for Baby?

 

When your baby is ready to start feeding herself with her fingers or a spoon, it can open up a whole new world of tastes and textures to her! For the most part, your baby can eat the same kinds of foods as the rest of the family, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Small, hard foods like raisins, nuts, popcorn, and hard candy can get lodged in your child's throat. Even if the seed or nut is small than a pea, it can get stuck in a baby's airway.
  • Food cut into large chunks - bigger than a pea - can get stuck in your baby's throat. Veggies like carrots and green beans should be cooked until soft and then cut into small pieces. Fruits like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and strawberries can be cut into pea-sized pieces (if the fruit has a peel, remove it first). Meats and cheeses can be shredded or cut into very small pieces.
  • Soft, sticky foods, like marshmallows, peanut butter, and squishy white bread can be difficult for a baby to swallow. Toasting bread can make it easier for a baby to manage.

When eating any foods, your baby should be sitting in her high chair. Letting your baby eat while crawling around the house or riding in the car can increase her chances of choking or gagging. Plus, it's much harder to teach babies good table manners or healthy eating habits when they're eating on the go.

Be Food Safe

Before you serve your baby any food, ask yourself:

  • Has the food been handled and cooked safely? Before you begin preparing foods for your family, wash your hands well with hot soapy water. Produce should be washed under clean running water and kept separate from raw meats. Meats should be kept refrigerated until they are ready to be cooked. Be sure to cook meats to a safe temperatures.
  • Are eating surfaces clean and sanitary? Your baby’s high chair tray or any other surface he will be eating off, such as a plate or table, should be cleaned well after each use with hot, soapy water.

A Note About Allergies

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend delaying introducing new foods to your baby in order to prevent allergies. However, if you have a family history of allergies to a specific food, it’s a good idea to talk to your family doctor about the best time and way to give those foods to your baby. When you give your baby a new food, keep an eye on him for a day or two afterward. If he develops a rash or tummy problems during that time, he may have an allergy to the food you tried.

Even if they don’t have allergies, babies under one year should not be given either honey or cow’s milk. Honey may contain botulism spores, which can make young babies sick. Cow’s milk is easy for a baby to “fill up” on, but it does not offer as much nutrition as breast milk or formula. Wait until after your baby has reached 12 months of age to introduce either of these foods.

The Healthiest Foods for Your 9-11 Month Old Baby

Now that we’ve talked about what not to feed your baby, let’s get to the fun part: choosing the first foods she’ll be able to feed herself!

For the most part, the same healthy foods the rest of the family eats are fair game for your baby, too. Just make sure they are soft and cut into small pieces. It’s OK for your baby to try seasonings, spices, and sauces if they are part of your family’s meal. Eating flavorful foods now may even help your baby grow into a more adventurous eater! Just be aware that if your family likes very spicy food, your baby may prefer a milder version.

Just like your own healthy diet, try balancing your baby’s diet so that her “plate” is made up of mostly fruits and vegetables, followed by healthy whole grains and proteins like meat, eggs, yogurt, and cheese.

The following are all great foods to introduce to your baby at this stage:

  • Cooked, diced veggies
  • Small pieces of soft fruit without skins
  • Cooked brown rice and other soft grains
  • Small pieces of cheese
  • Shredded meats

If your baby likes WIC-approved jarred baby food, now is a great time to move on to the foods specially prepared for older babies. Read the labels on the jars to see which age and developmental stage the food is recommended for. If you aren’t sure if a food is right for your baby, try a bite. Does it melt or mash easily in your mouth (even without using your teeth)? Many cereals and crackers will fall apart and become very easy to swallow as soon as your baby puts them in her mouth. Crackers and cereal that stay hard could cause your baby to gag or choke. Also try your baby’s cooked vegetables, pasta, or grains to test whether they are soft and small enough to be easily swallowed. 

If your baby hasn't eaten many table foods yet, you may be worried she won't like feeding herself or trying new things. If so, click the "Return to Lesson" button and visit some of the other links before continuing.