At about 6 months , introduce infants to nutrientdense complementary foods .
ཞ Signs your infant is ready :
• Being able to control head and neck .
• Sitting up alone or with support .
• Bringing objects to the mouth .
• Trying to grasp small objects , such as toys or food .
• Swallowing food rather than pushing it back out onto the chin . Infants and young children should be given age- and developmentally appropriate foods to help prevent choking . Foods such as hot dogs , candy , nuts and seeds , raw carrots , grapes , popcorn and chunks of peanut butter are some of the foods that can be a choking risk for young children . Parents , guardians , and caregivers are encouraged to take steps to decrease choking risks , including :
ς Offering foods in the appropriate size , consistency , and shape that will allow an infant or young child to eat and swallow easily .
ς Making sure the infant or young child is sitting up in a high chair or other safe , supervised place .
ς Ensuring an adult is supervising feeding during mealtimes .
ς Not putting infant cereal or other solid foods in an infant ’ s bottle . This could increase the risk of choking and will not make the infant sleep longer
ς Introduce infants to potentially allergenic foods along with other complementary foods .
Encourage infants and toddlers to consume a variety of foods from all food groups . Include foods rich in iron and zinc , particularly for infants fed human milk .
Avoid foods and beverages with added sugars . Limit foods and beverages higher in sodium .
As infants wean from human milk or infant formula , transition to a healthy dietary pattern .
Introduce infants to potentially allergenic foods along with other complementary food .
Introduce iron-rich foods to infants starting at about 6 months old .
Range of Nutrients / Day
Ages 12 – 23 months
Ages 2-4 Ages 5-8 Ages 9-13 Ages 14-18
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
Cups of Vegetables |
0.75-1 |
1-2 |
1-1.5 |
1.75-2.25 |
1.75-2.25 |
2-3.5 |
1.5-3 |
2.5-4 |
2.5-3 |
Cups of Fruit |
0.5-1 |
1-1.5 |
1-1.5 |
1-2 |
1-1.5 |
1.5-2 |
1.5-2 |
2-2.5 |
1.5-2 |
Ounces of Grain |
1.75-3 |
3-5 |
3-5 |
4-6 |
4-6 |
5-9 |
5-7 |
6-10 |
6-8 |
Cups of Diary |
1.75-2 |
2-2.5 |
2-2.5 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Ounces of Protein |
2 |
2-5 |
2-4 |
3-5.5 |
3-5 |
5-6.5 |
4-6 |
5.5-7 |
5-6.5 |
Range of Nutrients / Day Ages 19-30 Ages 31-59 Ages 60 +
|
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
Cups of Vegetables |
3-4 |
2.5-3 |
3-4 |
2-3 |
2.5-3.5 |
2-3 |
Cups of Fruit |
2-2.5 |
1.5-2 |
2-2.5 |
1.5-2 |
2 |
1.5-2 |
Ounces of Grain |
8-10 |
6-8 |
8-10 |
5-7 |
6-9 |
5-7 |
Cups of Diary |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
The bottom line is : Eat nutrient rich foods , watch portion sizes and create a pattern of healthy eating .
Ounces of Protein 6.5-7 5-6.5 6.5-7 5-6 5.5-6.5 5-6
CLAY parent MAGAZINE | 11