3Rd foods for baby
When is a child ready to try thicker solids?
Your baby’s made it through cereal mush, soupy carrots and ever-so-slightly texturized chicken and squash dinners. Now it’s time for the real culinary fun to start — welcome to Stage 3 baby food!
“Once your baby has successfully eaten Stage 2 foods, which have some texture to them, they can start Stage 3,” says Dr. Melanie Custer, a pediatrician at West Bend Pediatrics, Children’s Wisconsin.
How do you know your baby is ready to make the leap from purees to slightly more sophisticated fare? Here, experts and parents weigh in on moving on to Stage 3 baby food. Time to dig in!
What is Stage 3 baby food?
Most jars of Stage 3 baby food are still pretty pureed (hence, the jars), but your little one needn’t be restricted solely to foods that are, for all intents and purposes, mush. Instead, you can steer your budding gourmand toward soft, small pieces of whatever you’re having. Think: cut-up pieces of turkey meatballs, banana chunks and small squares of tofu.
“Stage 3 baby foods are thick blended foods with chewable chunks, such as the kind you find at the grocery store, or small cut-up pieces of easily chewed table foods, which are usually referred to as ‘finger foods’,” says Dr. Kristen Treegoob, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (Avoid placing chunks of food in blends and purees, as it may cause a choking risk.)
“Stage 3 baby foods are thick blended foods with chewable chunks, such as the kind you find at the grocery store, or small cut-up pieces of easily chewed table foods, which are usually referred to as ‘finger foods.'”
DR. KRISTEN TREEGOOB, PEDIATRICIAN
And be sure to bear in mind that every child is different and develops at their own individual pace. Check with your child’s doctor for baby food recommendations during the first year.
When to start Stage 3 baby food
“Typically, 9 months is the age babies start eating Stage 3 foods,” says Dr. Zulma Laracuente, a pediatrician in Alexandria, Louisiana.
“But, generally-speaking, 9 to 12 months is considered a time of slowly transitioning your baby to table food.” (In other words, no more cooking and serving separate meals!)
Does that mean you baby is ready to tuck into a T-bone steak with a side of broccoli rabe? No. At least, not in the traditional form. But as long as food is small and very easy for baby to work through, it’s OK.
While the idea of having your 10-month-old feed themselves while you sit down to your own meal probably sounds heavenly, bear in mind, every child gets there in their own time.
“My first child couldn’t wait to eat mashed up meatballs and soft carrots on his own,” says mom of two Jennifer Reilly of New York City. “But my second? Not so much. Aside from puffs, I was still spoon-feeding him at nearly a year!”
Signs baby is ready to start Stage 3 or finger food
As your baby’s oral skills and hand-eye coordination develop, they’re moving closer to being able to feed themselves, either with their hands or a spoon.
(Though, according to the Cleveland Clinic, babies usually don’t get the hang of utensils until at least 12 months.)
According to Jenifer Thompson, R.D., an advanced practice dietician at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, babies can move past traditional baby foods and onto “pick-ups” (finger foods) as their pincer grasp skills are honed.
“By the time baby is between 8 to 12 months old, they should be able to pick up small, soft pieces of finger foods with their finger and thumb and bring them to their mouth,” she says.
Other signs your baby is ready to take meal time into their own hands? They tell you — as only a baby can.
“I knew my son was ready to try table foods when he started grabbing at the spoon every time I went to feed him,” says mom of two Darcy McConnell of Garwood, New Jersey. “Even though he didn’t actually use a fork or spoon for a few months, he loved holding on to them while he picked up his food. It was so cute!”
What Stage 3 foods to start with
Once you’ve hit the Stage 3 phase, (almost) anything goes, as long as it’s the right texture for baby.
For instance, it’s OK to feed your child what the rest of the family is having for dinner, as long as you take proper precautions, such as making sure food is easy to chew and cut up into small pieces.
“Once babies are about 9 months old, they should safely be able to self-feed a variety of foods,” says Treegoob.
At this point in your baby’s life, solid food is starting to make up a significant part of their diet, so it’s important to offer foods that are nutritious. Also, exposing your child to different foods that are nourishing from an early age can help lay the groundwork for good, long-term habits.
“Parents should introduce a variety of healthy foods from different food groups with different textures by the end of the first year in order to help with healthy eating habits,” says Thompson.
“Parents should introduce a variety of healthy foods from different food groups with different textures by the end of the first year in order to help with healthy eating habits.
jenifer thompson, advanced practice dietician”
Here are a few good choices for Stage 3 foods, according to Thompson and Treegoob:
- Well-cooked vegetables of any variety.
- Ripe fruits of any variety. (Mashed or cut-up bananas work very well at this stage.)
- Shredded meat.
- Scrambled eggs.
- Soft cheese.
- Cooked pasta.
- Small pieces of tofu.
Which foods to avoid during Stage 3
When your baby starts eating what the rest of the family is having, by all means, rejoice over having to prepare fewer dishes. However, if you’re hitting up the drive-thru after soccer practice with your older kid, skip the Happy Meal for your baby, regardless of how you serve it.
“When it comes to feeding babies, I recommend avoiding heavily salted or sweetened foods, as well as fast food,” says Treegoob.
The reason doctors advise being mindful of baby’s salt intake? In addition to it possibly contributing to bad eating habits overall, a 2011 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that infants who consumed over 400 milligrams of sodium per day (the maximum UK recommendation for children up to age 12 months) were potentially at risk of “harming developing kidneys” and causing “high blood pressure in later life.
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According to Treegoob, parents should also avoid any foods that may pose a choking risk to children, such as:
- Popcorn.
- Whole grapes.
- Whole peanuts.
- Raisins.
- Hot dogs.
- Hard candy.
- Seeds.
And finally, parents and caregivers should understand how long baby foods last and forgo giving a baby honey until after their 1st birthday, as it can cause a botulism infection.
How to start Stage 3 foods safely
As with Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby food, babies still should eat sitting upright with an adult nearby.
“Once an infant is ready for Stage 3 solids and is able to finger feed themselves, it’s still important to watch your baby eat, so you can help pace them and identify signs of choking early,” says Treegoob. “You can also offer them sips of formula, breast milk or a little water every few bites when they begin eating more than a few ounces at a time of Stage 3 foods to make sure they don’t eat too quickly.
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“Once an infant is ready for Stage 3 solids and is able to finger feed themselves, it’s still important to watch your baby eat, so you can help pace them and identify signs of choking early.”
DR. KRISTEN TREEGOOB, PEDIATRICIAN
Also, be sure the food you’re giving your baby is prepared for their developmental stage. According to Kids Health, parents should slice food up into small pieces in addition to cooking it a little longer in order to make sure it’s very soft. (And, of course, check the temperature!)
Once your baby gets a taste of “real food,” don’t be surprised if their interest in formula or breast milk wanes.
“Between 7 to 9 months, parents may notice that their baby shows interest in smaller or less frequent bottles or breastfeeds,” says Treegoob. “As long as weight remains on track and the baby is staying hydrated, there’s no cause for concern.”
According to Treegoob, babies between 4 to 6 months old typically drink between 24 to 40 ounces of breast milk or formula per day; 24 to 32 ounces from 6 to 9 months; and by 9 to 12 months, when they’re eating more table foods, that volume can decrease to as low as 16 to 24 ounces.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving baby between 4 to 6 ounces of breast milk or formula four times a day, along with three meals a day and two small snacks. What you give your little one is up to you — just make sure it’s healthy and texturally appropriate for their age.
Make Your Own Stage 3 Baby Foods
Starting around eight months old, your baby is likely eager to try new tastes and textures every day as they develop new motor skills and get more experience with eating. At Beech-Nut, we love seeing how babies transition from smooth purees to the new consistencies and combos of stage 3 foods, but we know stage 3 blends can be hard to find in your local grocery store. So, here are some tips on how to repurpose stage 2 blends to add new textures and more protein for a growing baby.
Repurpose Stage 2 Purees
Mix in whole grains: Until now, your baby has likely only tasted smooth purees.
As he or she ages, it’s important to diversify the consistency of their meals. Mix in heartier textures such as quinoa, barley, or oats to Beech-Nut jars to add a grainy toothsomeness to baby’s meals. Overnight oats are one of our favorite breakfast options, because it’s so quick and easy! Check out our pumpkin spice overnight oats recipe here.
Try pasta: One of the most common introductory foods for babies is bite-sized pasta pieces, as long as baby is able to chew on his own. Since you probably already have pasta in your kitchen, this is a quick and convenient way to add some texture to baby’s diet. As your baby begins to embrace these foods, try this recipe from our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Eileen for an easy-to-make, healthy spaghetti sauce using Beech-Nut vegetable purees like green beans or sweet potatoes!
Mash lentils, chickpeas & beans: Adding mashed lentils, chickpeas, and beans is a common way to thicken up soups, but they’re also perfect for thickening your favorite purees! Try adding these to any Beech-Nut jar for a meal complete with calcium, iron, and fiber.
Introduce protein: Your baby may be getting protein in their diet from milk, but this is a great time to add other protein sources. Try adding small, shredded pieces of any of these to one of our Naturals or Organics jars for a wholesome dinner in a jar! Turkey and sweet potatoes is one of our favorites.
- Lean red meat, poultry (chicken, turkey) or fish (make sure your baby doesn’t have an allergy)
- Well-cooked eggs (yolk and white)
- Full fat cottage cheese
- Whole-milk yogurt (avoid yogurts with artificial sweeteners)
Add purees to your favorite recipes: Our purees aren’t just for babies—these snacks will have your whole family wanting more.
Add your favorite flavors to soft foods your baby can enjoy, like muffins or pancakes cut into small bites. For an easy recipe, check out some yummy mango puree pancakes our Pediatric Nutrition Expert Nicole here.
Let Baby Self-Feed
Try dissolvable snacks: Babies who like feeding themselves will love Beech-Nut Melties. Our Melties are designed to help baby practice fine motor skills, while being easily dissolvable to minimize choking hazards. As your child grows, add pretzel pieces and dried fruit for a healthy trail mix! See a list of Beech-Nut Melties here.
Get Creative!
Be the chef—create your own combos: We love seeing what innovative fruit & veggie mixes we can come up with. Chop or mash your own favorite fruits & veggies and add them to our Beech-Nut purees to introduce new combinations and textures to baby. Make sure to let us know what you come up with.
Some ideas: chickpeas, lentils, or other baby-friendly leftovers from your family meal.
Make a frozen treat: Frozen purees are great for snacks and can also help soothe a teething baby. For help preparing your own, check out this frozen puree teething heart recipe from BabyFoodE here.
Let us know your favorite meal ideas by finding us on Facebook or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!
*Always check with your pediatrician before introducing new foods to your baby’s diet
Union of Pediatricians of Russia
Nutrition for children from 1 to 3 years of age
The period from 1 to 3 years of life is a crucial stage in the transition to an adult type of nutrition, which has certain features. In order to ensure that all the necessary nutrients enter the child's body and at the same time prevent an excess of individual nutrients, nutrition should be balanced and varied.
The daily amount of food for children aged 1 to 1.
5 years should be 1000-1200 g, from 1.5 to 3 years - 1200-1500 g, the amount of food in one feeding should not exceed 300-350 ml. The diet consists of three main meals per day and two snacks. It is considered optimal when breakfast is 25% of the total energy density of the diet, lunch is 30–35%, dinner is 20%, and additional meals are about 10%. In general, the child can eat the same food as the rest of the family.
In the diet of a child of 1–3 years of age , must be present daily: meat of animals or poultry, dairy and sour-milk products, vegetables, fruits, bread, cereals, vegetable and butter; fish and eggs are included in the diet 2-3 times a week.
Cereal products: bread - 2-3 servings per day, cereals and side dishes - 1 time per day
Fruit and/or vegetables: at least 5 times a day
Dairy products: at least 3 servings per day (including those used to make porridge, yogurt, fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese, infant formula or breast milk).
Domestic pediatricians recommend, when compiling a diet for children aged 1–3 years, preference should be given to specialized children's dairy products of industrial production that meet high quality requirements and safety indicators for this age.
Most children's dairy products are additionally enriched with vitamins and/or minerals and other biologically active components, taking into account the physiological needs of children of this age. At the same time, in foreign recommendations, children over 1 year old are offered the gradual introduction of whole cow's milk, which is rich in fats necessary for proper growth and development, the absorption of vitamins A and D, the development of the brain and nervous system of the child.
Meat dishes: 2-3 times a day
Fish dishes: 2-3 servings per week
Eggs: 2-3 per week
Dietary fats: 3-4 teaspoons of butter and/or vegetable oils per day
When cooking, use the minimum amount of salt and sugar, and do not add them to industrial products.
Offer your child a variety of foods and let them choose for themselves. Children love to eat on their own, so if possible, offer food that the child can eat with their hands.
It is important to remember that a baby can choke on pieces of food, so whatever you give your baby should be crushed or cut into small pieces that can be easily chewed.
Do not give to a small child: nuts, whole grapes, cherry tomatoes (unless quartered), whole carrots, seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds), round candies, legumes, raisins, because a child can eat them choke.
Also in the diet of children of the first 3 years of life should not be present:
Mushrooms; canned snacks, pickled vegetables and fruits
Home canned food
Dry concentrates for side dishes
Hot sauces, mustard, horseradish, pepper, vinegar, mayonnaise
Natural coffee
Juices and drinks in the form of dry concentrates; sweet carbonated drinks
Products containing food additives (flavorings, dyes of artificial origin, including chewing gum), popcorn
Combined fats; cakes and pastries
It is important to remember that children of this age should not be given too spicy and spicy foods.
how to feed a child aged 3-7 years - "Healthy Child Internet Cabinet"
Nina Anatolyevna Toritsyna
Chief Children's Dietitian of the Health Department of the Administration of Yekaterinburg
From birth, the baby, along with food, receives useful substances that form his immunity and ensure normal development.
At preschool age, proper nutrition is also very important for the child to endure school loads in the future comfortably, be healthy and active.
Most children aged 3 to 7 spend most of their time in kindergarten, which is responsible for the organization of rational nutrition in accordance with age. It is also necessary to observe the principles of rational nutrition at home:
Important: strict adherence to the diet!
- the menu should be varied;
- nutrition should supply the child's body with energy, trace elements, vitamins and other useful substances;
- food must be properly handled and prepared (boiled, steamed, stewed, baked).
In order for the child to grow up active, mobile and healthy, it is important for parents to provide his menu with the main useful substances and monitor the sufficient number of calories :
| 3 years | 4-6 years | 7 years | |
| Where are kept | |||
| Proteins | Animal proteins: meat, fish, milk and dairy products, eggs. | ||
| Fats | Butter and vegetable oil, milk and dairy products, meat, fish | ||
| Carbohydrates | Sugar, fruits, confectionery |
Vegetable proteins: bread, cereals, legumes, vegetables
In addition to the above useful substances, the child should receive trace elements and minerals . They are responsible for the proper development and functioning of the whole organism.
Table of the average daily norm of the physiological need of the body for the main micro and macro elements
| Name | Function | Source (products containing the element) | Daily allowance for children 3-7 years old |
| Calcium | Formation of bones and teeth, blood coagulation systems, processes of muscle contraction and nervous excitation. | Milk, kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese. | 800-1100 mg |
| Phosphorus | Participates in the construction of bone tissue, the processes of storage and transmission of hereditary information, the conversion of the energy of food substances into the energy of chemical bonds in the body. Maintains acid-base balance in the blood. | Fish, meat, cheese, cottage cheese, cereals, legumes. | 800-1650 mg |
| Magnesium | Synthesis of protein, nucleic acids, regulation of energy and carbohydrate-phosphorus metabolism. | Buckwheat, oatmeal, millet, green peas, carrots, beets, lettuce, parsley. | 150-250 mg |
| sodium and potassium | They create conditions for the emergence and conduction of a nerve impulse, muscle contractions and other physiological processes in the cell. | Table salt is sodium. Meat, fish, cereals, potatoes, raisins, cocoa, chocolate - potassium. | Not exactly established |
| Iron | A component of hemoglobin, the transport of oxygen in the blood. | Meat, fish, eggs, liver, kidneys, legumes, millet, buckwheat, oatmeal. Quince, figs, dogwood, peaches, blueberries, rose hips, apples. | 10-12 mg |
| Copper | Necessary for normal hematopoiesis and metabolism of connective tissue proteins. | Beef liver, seafood, legumes, buckwheat and oatmeal, pasta. | 1 - 2 mg |
| Iodine | Participates in the construction of thyroid hormone, provides physical and mental development, regulates the state of the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and liver. | Seafood (sea fish, seaweed, seaweed), iodized salt. | 0.06 - 0.10 mg |
| Zinc | Essential for normal growth, development and puberty. Maintaining normal immunity, sense of taste and smell, wound healing, absorption of vitamin A. | Meat, ryaba, eggs, cheese, buckwheat and oatmeal. | 5-10 m |
Normal heart function. 
A sufficient amount of vitamins in the daily diet of children is the key to the proper functioning of all vital processes.
Vitamins are practically not synthesized by the body itself, so parents must always control that they are supplied to the child in sufficient quantities with food. At the same time, their insufficient amount can cause a number of diseases.
Table of the average daily norm of the physiological need of the body for basic vitamins
| Name | Function | Foods containing the vitamin | Daily allowance for children 3-7 years old |
| B vitamins | |||
| IN 1 | Necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system, cardiac and skeletal muscles, organs of the gastrointestinal tract. | Wholemeal bread, cereals, legumes (peas, beans, soybeans), liver and other offal, yeast, meat (pork, veal). | 0.8 - 1.0 mg |
| AT 2 | Maintains the normal properties of the skin, mucous membranes, normal vision and blood formation. | Milk and dairy products (cheese, cottage cheese), eggs, meat (beef, veal, poultry, liver), cereals, bread. | 0.9 - 1.2 mg |
| AT 6 | Supports the normal properties of the skin, the functioning of the nervous system, hematopoiesis. | Wheat flour, millet, liver, meat, fish, potatoes, carrots, cabbage. | 0.9 - 1.3 mg |
| AT 12 | Supports hematopoiesis and normal functioning of the nervous system. | Meat, fish, offal, egg yolk, seafood, cheese. | 1 - 1.5 mcg |
| PP (niacin) | Functioning of the nervous, digestive systems, maintaining normal skin properties. | Buckwheat, rice groats, wholemeal flour, legumes, meat, liver, kidneys, fish, dried mushrooms. | 10-13 mg |
| Folic acid | Hematopoiesis, body growth and development, protein and nucleic acid synthesis, prevention of fatty liver. | Wholemeal flour, buckwheat and oatmeal, millet, beans, cauliflower, green onions, liver, cottage cheese, cheese. | 100-200 mcg |
| WITH | Regeneration and healing of tissues, maintaining resistance to infections and the action of poisons. Hematopoiesis, permeability of blood vessels. | Fruits and vegetables: rose hips, black currants, sweet peppers, dill, parsley, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, mountain ash, apples, citrus fruits. | 45-60 mg |
| A (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid) | Necessary for normal growth, development of cells, tissues and organs, normal visual and sexual function, ensuring normal skin properties. | Liver of marine animals and fish, liver, butter, cream, sour cream, cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, carrots, tomatoes, apricots, green onions, lettuce, spinach. | 450-500 mcg |
| D | Participates in the processes of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, accelerates the process of calcium absorption, increases its concentration in the blood, provides deposition in the bones. | Butter, chicken eggs, liver, liver fat from fish and marine animals. | 10-2.5 mcg |
| E | Antioxidant, supports the work of cells and subcellular structures. | Sunflower, corn, soybean oil, cereals, eggs. | 5-10 mg |
Participates in carbohydrate metabolism. 
Thus, the diet of a preschool child should include all food groups.
Diet
It is best to make a menu for a child a few days in advance, so parents can make sure that it turns out to be varied and contains the necessary nutrients.
Here is a sample menu for children from 3 to 7 years old for week :
| Day of the week | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | afternoon tea | Dinner | Second dinner |
| Monday | Buckwheat porridge with milk | Juice or fruit | Salad | Kefir | Carrot-apple casserole | Fermented milk product |
| Tuesday | Fish baked with vegetables | Juice or fruit | Vitamin salad | Milk | Curd casserole | Fermented milk product |
| Wednesday | Milk rice porridge | Juice or fruit | Beet-apple salad | Yoghurt | Omelet | Fermented milk product |
| Thursday | Macaroni with grated cheese | Juice or fruit | Green pea salad | Tea | Vegetable stew | Fermented milk product |
| Friday | Herculean milk porridge | Juice or fruit | Carrot-apple salad | Ryazhenka | Cottage cheese pancakes with sour cream | Fermented milk product |
| Saturday | Barley milk porridge | juice or fruit | Cabbage-apple salad | Kefir | Fritters (pancakes) with jam | Fermented milk product |
| Sunday | Fish in Polish | Juice or fruit | Carrot salad | Milk | Vegetable casserole | Fermented milk product |
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