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Infant and Newborn Nutrition
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Food Nutrition

Infant and Newborn Nutrition

Proper nutrition provides the essential energy and nutrients babies need to grow, with breast milk serving as the gold standard for infant health.

Overview

Food provides the energy and nutrients that babies need to be healthy. For a baby, breast milk is best. It has all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Infant formulas are available for babies whose mothers are not able to or decide not to breastfeed.

Introducing Solid Foods

Infants are usually ready to eat solid foods at about 6 months of age. Check with your health care provider for the best time for your baby to start. If you introduce one new food at a time, you will be able to identify any foods that cause allergies in your baby. Allergic reactions include a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Peanut Allergies

Many parents are concerned about peanut allergies. When babies can eat foods that contain peanuts depends on their risk of food allergies:

  • Most babies can have peanut products when they are about 6 months of age.
  • Babies who have mild to moderate eczema have a higher risk of food allergies. They usually can eat peanut products at about 6 months of age. If you have concerns about this, check with your baby's health care provider.
  • Babies who have severe eczema or egg allergies are at high risk for peanut allergies. If your baby is at high risk, check with your baby's health care provider. Your baby may need allergy testing. Your baby's provider can also recommend when and how to give your baby peanut products.

Foods to Avoid

There are some foods that you should avoid feeding your baby:

  • Do not give your baby honey before 1 year of age. Honey may contain bacteria that can cause botulism in babies.
  • Avoid cow's milk before age 1, since it does not have all of the nutrients that babies need and babies cannot digest it.
  • Unpasteurized drinks or foods (such as juices, milks, yogurt, or cheeses) may put your child at risk for an E. coli infection. E. coli is a harmful bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea.
  • Certain foods that can cause choking, such as hard candy, popcorn, whole nuts, and grapes (unless they are cut into small pieces). Don't give your child these foods before age 3.
  • Because it contains a lot of sugar, babies should not drink juice before age 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

While age is a guideline, developmental readiness is more important. Look for signs such as the ability to sit up with minimal support, good head and neck control, and the loss of the tongue-thrust reflex, which is the automatic action of pushing food out of the mouth. Your baby should also show interest in food, such as watching you eat or reaching for your utensils. If your baby cannot sit steadily or still pushes everything out with their tongue, they may not be ready yet.
For babies with mild to moderate eczema, current guidelines suggest introducing peanut products around six months of age, after they have already tolerated several other single-ingredient solid foods. Start with a small amount, such as a half-teaspoon of smooth peanut butter mixed into pureed fruit or oatmeal. Watch for any allergic reactions like hives, vomiting, or breathing difficulties over the next 30 minutes. If there is no reaction, you can continue to include peanut products regularly in their diet to help build tolerance.
When making homemade purees, cook vegetables and fruits until they are very soft, then blend them with a small amount of water, breast milk, or formula to achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. Avoid adding salt, sugar, or honey to purees, as honey is unsafe for infants under one year due to the risk of botulism. Store homemade purees in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours or in the freezer for up to three months. Always thaw frozen purees in the refrigerator or microwave, and stir well before serving to ensure even temperature.
Introducing one new food at a time allows you to identify the specific cause if your baby develops an allergic reaction or digestive upset. If you introduce multiple new foods simultaneously, it will be difficult to determine which one triggered symptoms like a rash, diarrhea, or vomiting. It is generally recommended to wait three to five days between introducing new foods. This waiting period gives you enough time to observe your baby for any delayed reactions before trying the next new item.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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