Is your baby pointing and grabbing for the food you're eating? Are you wondering if it's okay to share some of your meal? When children get close to one year old, they're getting ready to expand their tastes. The South Dakota Department of Health offers these guidelines to help you know what is appropriate to be feeding your growing little one.

By 9-12 months, some babies will fit into the family eating schedule—eating table foods and possibly some baby foods. At this age, many babies will:

  • Eat with their fingers
  • Reach for a spoon to start spoon-feeding themselves (may need help)
  • Want to drink from a cup that is held, or may begin to hold the cup
  • Want to eat table foods

Helpful Hints

To help your child get accustomed to eating table foods, remember the following:

  • A relaxed, pleasant atmosphere is an important part of feeding children of all ages.
  • Offer more breast milk or formula from the cup so your baby begins the weaning process.
  • Your baby will gradually move from baby foods to table foods as he is able to eat foods with more texture.
  • Table foods should be soft and easy to chew.
  • Always stay with your baby when he is eating.
  • Your baby’s stomach is small, so feed healthful foods first. Don’t let your baby fill up on junk foods, such as sweets and potato chips, which do not provide adequate nutrients.
  • Do not give your baby soda (pop), Kool-aid, fruit punch, tea, or coffee.

Feeding Schedule: 9-12 months

Food9-10 Months11-12 Months

Breast milk or iron-fortified formula

Note: Do not give cow's milk until age one.

  • 3-4 feedings or on demand
  • 24-32 ounces total per day
  • 3-4 feedings or on demand
  • 24-32 ounces total per day

Infant cereal

4-6 tablespoons

4-6 tablespoons

Fruits

6-8 tablespoons

8 tablespoons or ½ cup

Vegetables

6-8 tablespoons

8 tablespoons or ½ cup

Meat

4-6 tablespoons

8 tablespoons or 2 ounces or ½ cup

Suggestions When Using Solid Foods

Grain Products

  • Offer infant cereal until one year of age. If refused, mix in with other foods in small amounts.
  • Grain products make good finger foods. Offer crackers, dry cereals, bread, noodles, mashed rice, soft tortilla pieces, and lightly toasted bread.
  • Avoid adding sugar or syrups to cereal.

Meat

  • Offer pureed or finely chopped lean meat, poultry, cooked egg yolk, cheese, yogurt, or mashed beans or peas.
  • Limit use of fried meats, gravies, and sauces.
  • Avoid use of too many processed meats, such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, bacon and sausage. They are high in fat and salt and can cause choking.

Fruits and Vegetables

  • Plain fruits and vegetables are best. No need to add salt, sugar, syrups, oil, butter, or other fats or seasonings. The child learns to enjoy the flavor without these. Be sure the veggies are bite-sized and cooked so that they are soft. You can mash the fruit or cut into cubes.
  • Never add honey to your baby’s foods. It can contain botulism spores that can make your baby sick.
  • Be sure to remove seeds and pits.

Liquids

  • Offer liquids in a cup, not a bottle.
  • Avoid offering soda (pop), fruit punches, gelatin, water, coffee, or tea.
  • Be aware that juice offers little nutrition. Also, juice can affect your baby’s appetite and prevent him from eating other foods.

Prevent Choking

Choking is a major cause of fatal injury in infants. It can occur anytime, anywhere.

Ways to Prevent ChokingFoods That Can Cause Choking
  • Feed small portions.
  • Help him eat slowly.
  • Maintain a calm meal atmosphere.
  • Watch while your baby eats.
  • Don’t prop your baby’s bottle.
  • Be sure bottle nipple holes are not too large.
  • Offer solids only when your baby is ready.
  • Don’t offer food if your baby is crying, lying down, walking, talking, laughing, or playing.
  • Offer foods that are not too large or small in size, or too firm, smooth, or slick.
  • Don't offer food that is too hard, tough, round, or sticky.
  • Tough meat
  • Hard candy
  • Popcorn, nuts, or seeds
  • Hot dogs or sausages
  • Marshmallows
  • Potato chips, corn chips, etc.
  • Large chunks of cheese
  • Whole kernel corn
  • Chewing gum
  • Uncooked raisins or other dried fruits
  • Fruit pieces that are hard or have pits
  • Whole fruits that are round, like grapes
  • Cherries, berries
  • Whole canned fruit
  • Raw vegetable pieces
  • Fish or meat with bones

In case of emergency, learn how to give CPR to babies.