Transition from Baby Food to
Table Food

I want to start weaning my 10 month old off baby jar food and on "real/finger foods" but I haven't the slightest idea how much and what kind of food to give for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

There is great variation in what 10 month olds can eat. In the Gordon home, we have had a son who ate pizza at 7 months and a daughter who struggled to wean off baby food after 12 months.

At our home, we like to move quickly through baby foods as solids foods are easier and we think better for the child. I would much rather feed my child a fresh banana over one that has been sitting in a jar for 6 months. Our current 11 month old has not had baby food since 9 months old.

What can your 10 month currently eat? If he only recently began stage 1 jar foods then he may only be ready for stage 2 foods and solids like mash potatoes or fruit in a mesh feeder. If he is taking stage 2 foods well or some stage 3 foods then he should be ready for solids.

Most 10 month old want to eat what you are eating. If you are having lasagna, salad and garlic toast for dinner, then try cut up lasagna and garlic toast. A 10 month may not be able to eat grilled chicken chunks but should be able to eat the baked beads, fruit salad, and baked potato
that go with it.

Other foods you could feed include:
canned veggies like peas or green beans (low sodium), (over) steamed broccoli in small pieces, halves of grapes, all kinds of cooked beans, thinly sliced turkey from the deli, slices of cheese, yogurt , Nutrigrain bars and pancakes.

The challenge at this age is quality. You will really have to make an effort to feed fruits and veggies. Typical serving sizes at this age is 1 to 2 tablespoons. Most 10 month olds are “great eaters” and will eat well when offered food.

Written December 2010 by
Dr. Gordon, Orlando Pediatrician