The
first year of the baby’s birth is the most essential year, nutrition and care
in this period will stay with the baby forever.
Breast
milk or formula milk plays the most crucial part in providing the essential
nutrients in this period.
0-12
months the major nutrients the baby will receive will be from breast milk or
formula milk.
Babies
have very small appetite, they eat tiny and frequent meals and its important to
make sure all their meals consists of all the vital nutrients.
It’s
best to introduce solid foods only after 4 months, the first 4 months the
baby’s diet should primarily consist of breast milk or formula milk.
From
6 to 8 months the introduction of other foods should be done. Earlier the baby
had grown only milk but now that won’t be enough to fill up their appetite and
their growing body needs. In this period cereal is a vital source of fiber and
carbohydrates but its advisable to start on one grain at a time and see how
your baby adjusts to it. You can start with rice cereals as rice is the
lightest grain and then eventually go to oats barley and wheat. These grains
are very essential as they will boost the baby’s growth considerably.
Carbohydrates give the body essential strength it needs to develop.
Fruits
and vegetables mash can also be added in this time, take a list of fruits and
vegetables than can be given to your baby from your health expert.
It’s
best to make a set meal routine for your babies by this time.
The
faster they are accustomed to a set pattern its best for you and your baby.
Early
morning feeds can be breast and formula milk as the baby is still in their
sleep and so are the mothers, feeding them milk is the best option at that
hour.
Mid
morning feeds should be in form of cereal, there are various baby instant
cereals available in the market you can choose which ever you feel is best for
your baby.
Mid
morning cereal of rice oats barley or wheat is good as it will fill your baby’s
tummy and also be begin the day with essential nutrition.
After
the baby’s mid morning nap in the afternoon a mash of fruits and vegetables
should be fed to the baby. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of vital
vitamins. Giving a mix of different fruits and vegetables will keep the baby
happy and give their taste buds used to all kinds’ flavors in food. By giving
them a good mix of vegetables the baby will be later be less fussy as they grow
about eating their greens. Pureed vegetables like carrots, potatoes, sweet
potatoes are a good source of nutrition.
Pureed
fruits like peaces apples bananas apricots give the baby a strong boost of
vitamins.
While
adding the above foods it is still advisable to give the baby 3 to 4 feeds of
breast or formula milk. Till the baby is 2 yrs old its best to keep giving them
breast milk or formula milk.
9
months on-wards is a good time to start with proteins, for this you can begin
with eggs in small portion, best is to begin with one or two bites and then
increase gradually. Chicken soup or mash chicken with boiled mashed rice also
can be given in the evening to fill up your baby so that they sleep well and
not get up frequently in the night for feeds.
For
vegetarian’s cottage cheese, tofus are a good source of protein for the baby.
If
you go to the baby section in the marts there are a huge variety of finger
foods that are available for them you can certainly add them in your baby’s
diet.
Cheese sticks
are a good source of calcium and the baby will enjoy chewing on it as it will
add the nutrition the baby needs and provide relief to the irritable gums. Baby
food counters are loaded with different varieties of food, check their
nutrients and buy it for your baby. most of these baby foods are packed with
essential vitamins and nutrients and will add to your baby’s health.
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