Page 35 - GreenBook

If your baby refuses the cereal, back off for a couple of weeks and then
reintroduce the food. He will probably then decide he likes it. The cereal can be
mixed initially with formula or breast milk to give it a familiar flavor. Later on,
water or juice may be used instead.

Once your baby has become accustomed to cereal you can start introducing
vegetables and fruits. Yellow vegetables are gentler than green ones, and
should be started first. Introducing vegetables before fruits allows your child to
experience these foods before developing a sweet tooth from fruits.

You should only introduce one new food at a time to allow your baby to get used
to it and to check for intolerances or dislikes. Intolerances to food may be
indicated by refusal, irritability, colic, rashes, or changes in stool patterns. Foods
should be introduced once every 4 to 5 days, though you may continue to give
any food previously introduced. Introducing more than one food at a time may
be confusing to the infant and also makes it hard to determine which food may
be causing a reaction. There are certain foods, several of them fruits, that
should not be given to babies at all. See Section III, C-3, Food Allergies and

Intolerances.

Your baby will be getting all the fluid and nutrients he needs from his formula
and solid foods. Juices aren't necessary but may be given at this age. Juices
should be watered down to prevent an excess sweet flavor and added one at a
time as any new food. Heating juices above room temperature may destroy the

vitamin C in them.

When you get through the vegetables, fruits, cereals, and juices, the next step is
the "stage 2" foods. These include the meats if you prefer. As with all staged
foods, please check labels carefully as they may contain foods or additives you
do not want your baby to have. Also, they may be higher in fat and fillers.

Certain foods may tend to bind or constipate your child. These are the ABC
foods: applesauce, bananas, cereals (especially rice cereal), though your child
may do perfectly well with them. The "P" fruits tend to be laxative in nature and
can be used to help with constipation: peaches, pears, plums, prunes, and yes
aPricots. Utilize fruits from each group to help regulate the consistency of your

child's stool as other solid foods are added.

Mealtime can be a fun and happy time. Never force your child to eat any food.
Allow him to make his own preferences. The timing of the meals should
eventually approximate your mealtime so your child gradually leams to eat with
the family. If you notice that your child has a meal preference, that is he eats
best at one specific meal, then optimize this opportunity. Have this be the best
and most nutritious meal of the day.

3. Food Allergies and Intolerances
As mentioned above, delaying the introduction of solid foods may help prevent
food allergies and intolerances. There are some foods that your infant should
avoid in the first full year of life (or up to two years if you have a strong family
history of food allergies). The most allergy producing foods are peanuts, tree
nuts (all the other nuts besides peanuts), and whole milk. Also, eggs, fish,

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