At 9 months, babies can tolerate soft foods like cooked noodles, rice, soft breads, soft steamed vegetables in small chunks or bite size pieces, like soft and diced steamed carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, cooked tomatoes, soft beans, peas, soft fruits, soft meats, scrambled eggs. Parents could also try certain cereals and baby crackers.
Teething in a baby usually occurs between 6 months and 24 months of age. Babies at 9 months don’t necessarily need to have a lot of teeth to handle more texture in their foods — they can often gum soft foods very well.
By 9-10 months age babies would learn how to chew, play with finger foods and mouth them, drink from a sippy cup and try foods with different tastes and textures.
Babies at 9 months are usually eating 3 meals per day, with about 4 oz per meal. It is important to sit and have mealtimes together with the baby. As soon as the baby is able to sit on her own, the baby should be seated in a high chair with the family at the dinner table.
Also follow baby’s cues if she is done. Parents should not try to force feed their baby extra bites.
The baby may not have the same appetite at every meal. The appetite of any healthy baby will vary. If the baby’s growth and weight gain is at target, she is getting adequate calories for her daily needs.
To prevent choking, please make sure any food you give your baby is soft, cut into small pieces, and easy to swallow.
What foods are a big no??
Please do not give your baby foods such as grapes, hot dogs, chunks of meat/ cheese, seeds, nuts, popcorn, raw fruits or vegetables and hard candy, as they are choking hazards.
Avoid cow’s milk or honey before 1 year of age. Cow’s milk is not a good source of iron, and can cause iron deficiency in infants. Honey might contain spores of a bacteria that can cause botulism.
This blog provides general information and discussions about health and nutrition. This information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials is not a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.
If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials.
References:
- AAP Pediatric Nutrition, 8th Edition
- Nutrition, 2nd Edition, What every parent needs to know by AAP