Pork, Black beans and Rice

Cook pork fully until no pink remains. Blend it into a smooth puree or shred it very finely, then moisten it with breast milk, formula, broth, or a vegetable puree so it isn't dry. Pork brings protein and zinc, useful nutrients at this age. Serving it alongside a vitamin-C food, like a little tomato or pepper puree, helps with iron absorption. Add no salt.

Cook black beans until very soft, then mash or flatten each one well, or blend into a smooth spread (a no-salt hummus-style mash). Never offer a whole, intact bean at this stage. Skip added salt.

Cook rice until soft and sticky and let it cool to warm. Serve it as a thick mash or mix it into a vegetable, meat, or fruit purée. Sticky or short-grain rice that clumps is easier for a baby to handle than loose dry grains.