Making Baby Food For Your 10-12 Month Baby

Making baby food at this stage is a lot of fun. Your amazing baby has developed some wonderful new skills and you feel more confident in choosing the right foods for him.

After months of pureeing, mashing and carefully introducing new foods, making baby food now become a little easier. Your baby is probably enjoying more textured foods and has sampled a wide variety of flavours. You are now in a better position to cater to your baby's tastes, because you have been able to identify just what he likes ... and what he doesn't!

Remember, though, that your baby's tastebuds are developing all the time. So don't give up on a particular type of food ... just try it again from time to time. You may be surprised by his reaction!

Wholesome baby food recipes for your 10-12 month baby ...

Create great meals for your discerning diner
Casseroles and stews
Vegetarian recipes
Fish recipes
Tofu recipes
Soup recipes
Meat recipes
Chicken recipes
Pasta recipes
Indian recipes

Healthy finger foods
Baby dips and spreads
Homemade finger food recipes
Homemade teething biscuits
Breakfast ideas for baby

Making baby food at 10-12 months - What are my baby's nutritional needs?

At this stage, your baby needs about 750-900 calories a day. He also needs about twice as much calcium as he did at birth. Calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth - it helps the teeth resist decay and maintains healthy gums. (Click here for more information about caring for your baby's teeth).

Iron is another essential part of his diet, supporting both growth and development. It plays a major role in forming haemoglobin, the part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues. Iron is particularly crucial in brain development.

Poultry, beef, pork, fish, legumes and wheat germ are all good sources of iron and also provide protein, which is essential for growth.

This baby nutrition table lists the key components of a healthy, balanced diet for your baby and shows you the foods to include on baby's menu.

Why fats play an important part in your baby's diet

Making baby food at 10-12 months - I'm worried my baby isn't eating enough.

A baby at this stage may sometimes seem to be eating less food than he was before.

DON'T PANIC - this could be due to any one of the following reasons -

A baby's growth naturally slows down at this time, so he may simply feel less hungry than before. Continue to offer a wide variety of foods and be patient, he'll let you know when he's hungry.
He may well be more interested in what's going on around him, than what's on his plate. I'm sure we've ALL been through this stage - see the baby feeding tips section for tips on how to recapture your baby's interest.
He may just be getting picky! How I used to long for the days when my babies would willingly open their mouths at the mere sight of a spoon! But along with your baby's emerging personality come strong OPINIONS ... and if he doesn't like it, he's not eating it!

How much should my baby be eating? Following your baby's cues

IMPORTANT: If you are at all concerned about your baby's appetite or development then, of course, discuss your worries with your doctor.

Making baby food at 10-12 months - When should my baby start using a spoon?

You can give your baby a spoon at any time, but he probably won't be able to actually start feeding himself until at least 10 months of age ... and sometimes much later. Visit the Making Mealtimes Fun section for some great advice on encouraging your baby to feed himself, along with some tips on creating a happy atmosphere at the family dinner table. You might also like to read our tips for coping with the mess!

My baby refuses to eat from a spoon

Making baby food at 10-12 months - My baby still doesn't like lumpy food

Many babies prefer pureed food to more textured foods - my youngest child is 20 months old and would, I'm sure, be delighted if I pureed everything!

But learning to chew is important to your baby's development. So, although it's tempting to "give in" and remove those lumpy bits when making baby food, try matching your baby's stubbornness with your own ... and resist!

Serve foods that contain lumps within a sauce - chopped pasta with a creamy sauce is a good example. Offer your baby plenty of finger foods , which encourage biting and chewing. And be patient - your baby will eventually get the hang of it!

Overcoming baby feeding problems - tips for introducing lumpy foods

By the end of this stage, your baby should be enjoying three meals a day, with nutritious snacks in between. His milk intake will have reduced as he has come to rely mainly on solid foods for his nutritional needs. Milk is still important, though, so continue to offer it as a healthy alternative to sweet drinks.

When should I give my baby water?
Giving fruit juice to your baby
Should I peel fruits and vegetables for my baby?
Introducing a sippy cup
Feeding a baby with a cold

Making baby food for your little one, and equipping him with the skills to feed himself, are tremendously rewarding. Congratulate yourself on what you and your baby have accomplished ... and take the time to enjoy this wonderful stage of babyhood.