Feeding Schedule

Many people have questioned me and wondered about the schedule of introducing foods I have for my son. I have been very vigilant about avoiding the most common food allergens: dairy, eggs, fish, nuts, seafood, wheat, gluten and soy. However, I also loosely used the following timetable to establish an introduction schedule. I did not follow the listed serving size--my son is super greedy and I let him eat until he is full. I also introduced rice, quinoa and a few fruits/vegetables earlier than suggested.

http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=825

 

"Further research needs to be conducted to determine the best schedule for the introduction of solids, but until this is available it would be prudent to go by the following guidelines which are based on the collective experience of numerous naturopathic physicians who work extensively with infants and children.

• Carrots, poi, yams, squash, and zucchini are vegetables which are generally well tolerated. Beans, spinach, and peas should not be given before 12 months of age. Tomato and corn should be withheld until 24 months.
• Raw fruit, other than very ripe bananas, should not be introduced before 12 months of age. Apples, peaches, and citrus fruits should be the last fruits introduced. Pears, plums and apricots are believed to be among the least sensitizing and best tolerated.
• Rice or oats cereal, mixed with water or breast milk, may be the best grain to start the infant on at about nine months of age. Wheat, eggs and cow's milk should not be given to an infant before 21 months of age.

The following schedule includes some healthy foods and their approximate time of introduction.
6 months: hypoallergenic, pureed, mashed foods containing iron; 1-2 tablespoons per day carrots, poi, squash, yam, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, Jerusalem artichoke, sprouts (blended in water)

7 1/2 months: cooked fruits; 2-3 T/day kiwi, pears, prunes, cherries , banana blackberries, grapes, applesauce

9 months: foods high in zinc and good for the immune system; 2-4 T/day sweet potato, cabbage, oatmeal, papaya, potato, blueberries, lima beans, string beans, nectarine, peach, black strap molasses, split pea soup, millet, plum, rice cereal, beets

12 months: foods high in zinc and bulk; 4-10 T/day acorn squash, barley, chard, tofu, yogurt, parsnips, asparagus, avocado, egg yolk, rice, goat's milk, quinoa ( a grain), barley, buckwheat

18 months: foods high in B vitamins and calcium tahini, lamb, greens, kelp, eggplant, rye, beet greens, chicken, rutabaga, beans, fish, buckwheat, spinach, spelt & teff (grains)

21 months: foods high in protein, almond butter, egg, turkey, walnuts, wheat, cornish hen, beef liver, cashew butter, pineapple, orange, brewer's yeast, cow's milk

2 - 3 years old: sunflower seeds, corn, peanut butter, clams, soy, cottage cheese, lentils, tomato, cheese, beef"