Baby Feeding And Nutrition

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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