WIC Nebraska | Staying Healthy for Infants 6

Milestones

Your Baby On The Go

Teeth and Oral Health

Your baby’s teeth may begin to come in. The front top and bottom teeth are often the first ones to come in.

Infants do not need teeth to chew mashed food. After eating wipe down your baby’s gums with a clean, wet, soft cloth to promote good oral health.

Communication

When your baby begins babbling, encourage them to continue babbling and say words. Your baby may begin to say a few words and call their parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name.

Your baby may communicate with you through facial expressions. Watch their face to see how they are feeling.

Reading, singing, or playing games helps your baby learn.

Eating Whole Foods

Learning to Eat Food

Consult with your baby’s doctor to ensure they are ready to eat foods.

Offering your baby nutrient dense foods with their milk intake helps with nutrition and exposes them to new flavors and textures.

Choose Healthy Foods

When introducing your baby to foods make sure to pick nutrient dense foods from all of the food groups. Introduce one single-ingredient food at a time and wait three to five days before offering another new food to observe for any signs of food allergy.

Baby Cereal

Mashed Vegetables: Squash, peas, carrots

Mashed Fruits: Applesauce, pears, bananas

Meats: Beef, chicken, turkey

Keep foods plain. Limit any extra spices or seasonings.

Stages of Food

Smooth

(puree)

Mashed

(smooth with a few lumps)

Chopped

(more lumps)

Tiny pieces

Make sure your baby can fully chew and swallow one stage before moving to the next stage.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid foods with added sugars (desserts) and high in added salt.

Some foods can cause choking or can make your baby sick.

Avoid foods such as:

Raw vegetables
Whole grapes
Popcorn
Nuts
Meat with bones
Raw meat
Peanut butter, by itself
Deli meats
Raw eggs
Fruit juice
Honey

Health and Safety

Keep Smoke Away

Do not use: alcohol, cigarettes, vapes, illegal drugs, unprescribed medications, etc.

For help quitting call
1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669.

Safety when Eating

Offer foods that are an appropriate size and consistency for your baby to easily swallow.
Make sure your baby is sitting upright.
Make sure an adult is watching during the entire feeding.
If you choose to heat baby food, microwave it in a dish, not the jar. Heat about 4 oz for 15 seconds, then stir, let stand 30 seconds, and taste-test. Food should be lukewarm before feeding. Avoid microwaving meats or eggs – use the stovetop instead.
Feed your baby with a baby utensil.

Your baby is getting enough to eat if your doctor says they are gaining weight and growing well.

If your baby vomits, wheezes, gets a rash or diarrhea with any food, stop feeding. Consult your baby’s doctor.

Breastfeeding

During the second half of the first year, breast milk remains an important part of your baby’s diet, along with iron-rich solid foods. If breast milk is not provided throughout the first year, iron-fortified infant formula is recommended.
Breastfeeding provides benefits beyond the first year and can continue for as long as the mother and baby wish.
Your baby may be hungry four or more times per day.
Your baby knows when they are hungry and full.

Staying Healthy During 6 to 12 Months