You can safeguard your baby’s health by keeping a close watch on what he eats. There are three feeding patterns during a child’s first year. This first stage is when your child is fed solely with liquids. The weaning stage follows after the first phase. This is when semi-solid food is introduced to your baby’s diet. Your baby gets to experiment with different textures during these months. This phase gets him ready for solid food, which would be given on the final stage.
Newborns are fed with breast milk or formula. Sometimes a combination of both is used. Breast milk is always recommended for babies aged 0 to 4 months, unless your child has special nutritional needs. In this case, a specific formula is prescribed. Some pediatricians may recommend vitamin and mineral supplements, especially when your child is exclusively breastfed. Your baby should receive his daily dose of iron from breast milk.
As weeks go by, your baby’s tummy should be able to accommodate more milk during each feeding. He can manage to last longer between feedings. Babies who are fed with breast milk tend to get hungrier than those who are fed with milk formula. This is because milk formula is processed more slowly compared to breast milk. Never use skimmed milk and cow’s milk as substitutes. These are ideally given after your child turns 1 year old. He is able to consume more milk with less frequent feedings. Milk formula is digested more slowly compared to breast milk. Hence, formula-fed babies tend to feed less frequently. Cow’s milk and skimmed milk should never be used as milk substitutes. These types of milk may cause dehydration, and are not recommended during the first phase.
Gradually introduce solid food into your child’s diet once he turns 4 months old. Start him off with liquefied or semi-solid food. He should be ready by the time he turns 6 months old. Food allergies are common in babies. Be extra careful if you decide to give him food items that contain whey, soy, eggs or nuts. Citrus fruits should be avoided as well. Check for any allergic symptoms after your baby has eaten any of these foods. Every baby is different, and some may not be able to tolerate solid food yet. Keep trying for a couple of months. He should be completely ready for solid food when he turns 6 months old. Be careful with your food choices. Whey, nuts and eggs contain allergens, which may trigger food allergies in babies. Observe your child for any unwanted reactions.
Regular food is safe for your baby’s consumption, as long as you avoid allergy-causing food items. Softened cereal mixed with breast milk or formula is an ideal choice for very young babies. Once your baby is familiar with his new diet, you may want to introduce other items as well. Multi-grain cereals can be given instead of regular cereal. He’s ready to digest protein, complex carbohydrates and fats. Be sure to introduce one item at a time. Mashed carrots and green peas, or pureed potatoes are healthy choices. His body should be ready to digest complex carbohydrates, protein and fats. Liquefied cereals are generally well-tolerated by most infants. You can gradually introduce new types of food as your baby adapts to his new diet. Refrain from putting fruit in his cereals. Pureed or mashed vegetables are better alternatives. Try giving him carrots, green peas and potatoes. Multi-grain cereal can be given as well.
Introduce tougher textures during the 7th month. Your child should be able to handle poultry and meat. Refrain from giving fish and beef, as these may cause food allergies. Chicken and lamb are better choices. Other known sources of protein include nuts, soy, soy milk and eggs. These items, however, contain allergens. Feeding your baby with these food items is discouraged. Choose chicken or lamb, instead of beef or fish. They provide the same amount of protein without the risk of food allergies. Soy, eggs and peanuts are good sources of protein, but should be avoided because they also trigger allergies. Soy milk and honey should also be avoided.
Introduce new textures by making your child’s food coarser than usual. Coarser textures encourage your child to chew. Your baby should be able to handle any food that your family is having. Just be sure to make them less spicy, and cook them longer until they are soft. Cut them up in smaller pieces, or mash them if necessary. Keep in mind that water is very important, regardless of what feeding stage your child is in. Carbonated beverages are discouraged in a baby’s diet.
Colby Brister is a writer for My Baby Bedding Shop and is the loving parent of two. One boy and one girl. His children are all grown up now but he loves writing about children and giving tips on certain scenarios that parents are faced with along the way. Colby sure hopes that you have found this article helpful. Colby would like for you to check out his Baby Bedding Store his modern baby bedding and his crib sheets.