Nutritional tips for babies and young children from 4 to 12 months old
You might have numerous inquiries regarding this significant event.
At what age do babies become ready for solid foods? Which foods are suitable for starting a baby on solid foods? What is the optimal quantity of solid foods for infants at each meal?
This resource offers suggestions for starting solid foods and ensuring infants’ safety during feeding occasions.
Be mindful that every baby is individual. Their dietary requirements might vary based on factors such as age, development, and nutritional necessities . Receive advice from your pediatric nurse practitioner, pediatrician, registered dietitian, or another healthcare provider regarding feeding matters.
Newborns
Breast milk is the preferred choice. Despite this, a subset of infants may need iron-reinforced baby formula. Both options, whether it be breast milk or infant formula, offer the essential nutrients and calories required for your infant’s growth during the initial four to six months of life. It’s important to note that young infants are not developmentally prepared for solid foods. Their ability to safely swallow solids is limited, and their digestive systems are not equipped to process them efficiently. Therefore, it is not advisable to introduce solid foods or thicken formula in an attempt to prolong the time between feedings, promote longer sleep durations, or enhance their nutritional intake.
Your child might reach a developmental stage where the introduction of solid foods becomes suitable.
Holds head up by self
Does not expel food from the mouth with the tongue
Sits up with support
4 to 6 Months
Experts commonly suggest initiating solid food introduction between four and six months of age. It’s important to note that breast milk or formula continues to be the primary nutritional requirement for your newborn in the first year of life. Providing solid foods helps your infant become accustomed to different textures.
Commencing with iron-rich foods like single-grain baby cereal or pureed meats is a recommended practice .Breastfed infants gain particular benefits from incorporating meat into their diet sooner .This signifies that beginning to include meat in the diet of breastfed babies earlier than usual can have notably positive effects on their health and development. Your medical advisor will offer guidance on which food to start with initially.
How to feed your infant:
When starting cereal, mix one tablespoon with 4 or 5 tablespoons of breast milk or formula..
Utilize a small spoon with a long handle that is coated with rubber to feed your infant.
Place your infant in a high chair positioned directly in front of you to facilitate face-to-face interaction.
Place approximately half a teaspoon of cereal or pureed food on the posterior part of your infant’s tongue. This facilitates their ability to draw the food off the spoon.
Initially, offer small serving sizes, typically
1 to 2 small spoonful at a time.
Initially, your infant may exhibit aversion to the taste of solid food. However, this reaction should not discourage you. It is common for infants to grimace and expel the food from their mouths as they acquaint themselves with the sensation of eating solids. Over time, they adapt to the process and become comfortable with consuming solid foods.
To ease this transition, you may consider offering solid foods after your infant has consumed a small amount of breast milk or formula. By associating feeding solids with a pleasant experience, such as nursing, your infant may gradually develop an inclination towards eating solids eagerly.
What not to do during feedings:
Refrain from placing cereal in the bottle unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.
Avoid feeding your infant when you are rushed, preoccupied, or if the infant is excessively fatigued.
Do not compel your infant to eat when they demonstrate signs of satiety. Signs of fullness may include turning away from food or keeping their mouth closed when food is presented
After your infant has become proficient with their initial solid food, you can introduce other new foods as this stage progresses. Start with one to two spoonful of a single strained or pureed vegetable, such as squash, carrots, or sweet potatoes, or strained fruits. These foods are free from wheat, milk, or egg, which can cause sensitivities in some infants. Some healthcare providers suggest starting with vegetables before fruits, but there is no evidence to suggest that introducing fruits first will lead to a dislike for vegetables. Infants naturally prefer sweet tastes at birth, and the order of food introduction does not alter this preference.
When introducing new foods to your infant, provide one new food every 3-5 days. This interval allows your infant’s digestive system to adapt. Be vigilant for any unusual reactions, such as a skin rash, diarrhea, or vomiting, which could indicate a food allergy or intolerance. If such reactions occur, cease feeding the new food immediately and inform your healthcare provider during the next visit. It is common for an infant’s stool to change color when trying new foods. Keep a record of the new foods introduced and any reactions in a diary
6 to 8 months
Continue to provide breast milk or formula alongside introducing thicker pureed fruits, vegetables, and meats into your infant’s diet. Avoid combining foods until your infant has tried each food individually. If there is no family history of milk allergies, you may also consider introducing small amounts of whole-milk yogurt. Yogurt is easier for infants to digest compared to cow’s milk at this developmental stage. Your infant may also be ready to begin practicing cup drinking. Offer some formula or breast milk in a sippy cup (a training cup with a spout). Remember, breast milk or formula remains the primary fluid your infant requires at this stage.
8 to 10 months
At this stage, the majority of infants are prepared to consume more textured foods, including mashed and diced options. Introduce new foods such as finger foods, ensuring they are chopped into small, bite-sized pieces for safe consumption.
Food allergies
The foods most frequently associated with allergic reactions include milk, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish. If there is a notable family history of food allergies, it is advisable to seek guidance from your healthcare provider regarding these specific foods. Otherwise, many experts concur that these foods can be gradually introduced as early as 4 to 6 months of age.
Ripe bananas, cooked vegetables, and teething biscuits are recommended choices for your infant’s diet. It is important to avoid foods that pose a choking hazard, such as uncooked vegetables or fruits (excluding bananas and avocados), chunks of cheese, whole grapes, peanuts, popcorn, and pieces of hot dog.
Poorly chewed food can obstruct the airway, and infants may lack the ability to effectively cough or clear their throats to remove the food. Therefore, caution should be exercised when introducing solid foods.
Your infant may be ready for finger foods once they demonstrate the ability to:
Sit upright in a high chair
Grasp food with their hands or fingertips
Successfully move food from their hands to their mouth.
10 to 12 Months
Even in the absence of all their teeth, infants can utilize their gums and tongue to mash food with lumps. It is important to consistently introduce new foods to your infant’s diet. It may require 8-15 attempts for an infant to develop acceptance towards a new food.
As your infant grows more independent, they may demonstrate the ability to hold a spoon while being fed. Encouraging self-feeding whenever possible is beneficial. During feeding sessions, it is helpful to verbally identify the food being offered, the utensils being used, or the colors of the food. It’s important to recognize that each feeding session provides an opportunity for meaningful communication between you and your infant.
Whole cow’s milk (targeting 16-20 ounces per day) should be introduced only after your infant reaches one year of age. Young infants have difficulty digesting cow’s milk as easily as they do breast milk or formula due to its higher protein and mineral content. However, whole milk yogurt can be introduced earlier, as it is easier for infants to digest than cow’s milk. The fat content in whole milk is essential for proper growth and development.
Avoid giving low-fat dairy products until your child reaches two years of age, unless otherwise advised by your healthcare provider. If your infant has been prescribed a special formula due to a milk allergy or intolerance, consult your healthcare provider before introducing dairy products.
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Pediatrics advocate for breastfeeding until at least one year of age. Breastfeeding can be continued beyond this period if both you and your infant opt to do so. It is recommended by the AAP to refrain from introducing fruit juice