What the two approaches mean Traditional spoon-feeding generally introduces complementary foods as smooth or finely mashed purées. An adult offers small amounts on a spoon, observes the baby's cues, and gradually increases texture and variety. Purées may be homemade or…

What Counts as Added Sugar and Salt? Added sugar is sugar incorporated into a food or drink during processing, preparation, or cooking. It includes ingredients such as table sugar, syrups, molasses, glucose, fructose, and concentrated sweeteners used to make a…

Build the first year around breast milk or formula For most infants, breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula supplies the majority of energy and nutrients during the first year. Guidance for vegetarian and vegan babies generally supports exclusive breast milk…

When Mild Flavors Can Be Introduced Many babies are developmentally ready for complementary foods at around 6 months, although readiness varies and should be discussed with a health visitor, pediatrician, or other qualified healthcare professional when there is uncertainty. Readiness…

Start with readiness, not a rigid food order Most public health guidance places the start of complementary feeding at about 6 months, when breast milk or infant formula is supplemented with other foods. Age alone is not enough. Look for…

When babies are ready for first foods Most infants begin complementary foods at approximately 6 months. Age alone is not enough: readiness reflects neuromuscular control and oral-motor skills. A baby who is ready can usually sit upright with support and…

When babies are ready to start complementary foods Federal guidance and American Academy of Pediatrics guidance generally support beginning complementary foods around 6 months. Foods should not be introduced before 4 months unless specifically directed by a qualified healthcare professional.…

What feeding regression means There is no single clinical definition of feeding regression. In everyday use, it means a backward shift from a baby's previous feeding pattern. The change may affect breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, complementary foods, or several domains at once.…

Why teething can disrupt feeding Tooth eruption involves movement of a developing tooth through the gum tissue. The surrounding area may become tender, mildly inflamed, and swollen. Pressure on the gums can be especially noticeable when a baby sucks, because…

What Distracted Feeding Can Look Like Distracted feeding refers to a baby shifting attention away from feeding toward environmental or internal stimuli. During breastfeeding, a baby may latch, suck briefly, then unlatch to look at a voice, door, screen, pet,…