Parents often wonder what nutrients Baby needs, how much of each nutrient Baby needs, and the best sources of those nutrients. Click on each of the below nutrients to learn more about which foods to find them in and how much Baby should be eating each day. (Nutrient information is based on minimum intake for 12-month-old babies.)

• Protein
• Carbohydrates
• Fat
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Other vitamins and minerals (e.g. potassium, B vitamins)
• Iron
• Calcium

By Age 1, Baby should be eating 3-4 tablespoons (2 ounces) of the below protein sources per day. Do not give Baby shellfish or peanut products until age 2.

Best Food Sources of Protein

• Lean beef
• Poultry
• Pork
• Eggs (may cause allergic reactions)
• Fish (may cause allergic reactions)
• Beans and lentils
• Nut butters (may cause allergic reactions)

When feeding Baby carbohydrates, you should aim for whole grain foods whenever possible. Baby should eat a minimum of ½ to 1 cup of the below food sources per day by age 1.

Best Food Sources of Carbohydrates

• Bread and bread products (may cause allergic reactions)
• Cereals (may cause allergic reactions)
• Grains
• Rice
• Oats
• Barley
• Quinoa

Fat is essential for Baby’s brain development. Babies need more fat than adults do, so do not restrict fat intake. Include several of the below food sources per day.

Best Food Sources of Fat

• Whole milk dairy products (milk, yogurt, butter, cheese (may cause allergic reactions))
• Avocado
• Olive oil
• Canola oil

In general, Vitamin A food sources are dark green, yellow, or orange. By Age 1, Baby should intake at least ¼ cup (about 2 ounces) per day.

Best Food Sources of Vitamin A

• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Winter squash
• Apricots

Baby should intake at least ¼ cup (about 2 ounces) of Vitamin C food sources per day by age 1.

Best Food Sources of Vitamin C

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Citrus fruits (may cause allergic reactions)
• 100% fruit juice
• Mango
• Potatoes

Formula-fed babies don’t need additional vitamin D. If breast-feeding, ask your pediatrician about whether Baby needs a supplement of this vitamin. Sun exposure can also help Baby produce this hormone.

Best Food Sources of Vitamin D

• Breast milk and formula
• Fortified dairy products (may cause allergic reactions)
• Eggs (may cause allergic reactions)

Other vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and B vitamins, are also important for Baby to be eating every day. Baby should intake ¼ cup (about 2 ounces) or more of these other vitamins and minerals per day by age 1.

Best Food Sources of Other Vitamins and Minerals

• Apples and applesauce
• Green beans
• Bananas
• Peas

By age 1, Baby should be eating at least 1 serving (4 tablespoons) of iron-fortified infant cereal per day―such as our HAPPYBELLIES cereals―plus 1 other iron source. To increase the amount of iron Baby is absorbing, serve sources of Vitamin C with iron-rich foods. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.

Best Food Sources of Iron

• Breast milk and fortified formula
• Fortified infant cereal (try our HAPPYBELLIES cereals!)
• Meat and poultry
• Beans and lentils
• Spinach
• Egg yolk

Starting at age 1, Baby will need 2 servings of calcium per day. One serving is 1 cup of milk or yogurt. (1 cup of tofu = ½ serving of calcium.)

Best Food Sources of Calcium

• Breast milk and formula
• Milk and milk products (may cause allergic reactions)
• Dark green, leafy vegetables
• Tofu