Pork, Tortilla, Tomato and Onion

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.

A soft corn tortilla, warmed until pliable, is easy to handle at this stage. Tear off finger-length strips so a piece sticks out of the fist for self-feeding, or soften pieces in a little soup or sauce until they mash easily. Keep it plain, with no added salt. A flour tortilla contains wheat, so treat that version as a wheat food and offer it on its own first.

Choose a ripe, soft tomato. Peel off the skin (it can bunch up and be hard to chew), scoop out the seedy core, and mash the flesh or stir it into a purée. If offering a piece to hold, give a soft finger-length strip of peeled flesh. Cherry and grape tomatoes are a round choking shape, so always quarter them lengthwise into small pieces and never serve them whole or halved.

Onion is usually a flavor base rather than a food on its own at this age. Cook it down until very soft and blend it into purées, mashes, or sauces. Raw onion is sharp and firm, so keep it out for now.