A baby is usually ready for solids by the middle of the first year when he exhibits the following signs:

• Sits up
• No longer thrusts food out of the mouth with his tongue (a reflex)
• Can chew
• Can pick up bits of food and put them in his mouth

Since most parents first offer fruits, vegetables or iron-fortified rice cereal, most children start out vegetarian. Ripe bananas, avocados, yams and sweet potatoes are good first food choices. At about 8 months, offer finger foods such as grated fruits and vegetables, small pieces of whole-grain bread, Cheerios, tofu cubes, frozen peas or blueberries, soft beans or lentils and plain, cooked whole-wheat pasta.

Avoid cow's milk, egg whites, peanuts, citrus fruits and honey before 1 year of age due to allergies and, in the case of honey, the danger of botulism poisoning. In addition, babies do not need fried foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners or foods high in salt.

The eating habits your children learn now may set them on the track to a healthful lifestyle. Start them out right!

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