The Right Launch
We all know that right beginning is of immense importance. Don’t we spend endless hours deciding about the best muhurat (auspicious time) to begin a task that we consider as important? The same is true for good health. The foundation for good health and healthy eating habits must be laid right in infancy.
The stronger (right) the foundation (infant nutrition) the better (healthier) will be the structure (adulthood). It is thus, important to give utmost importance to infant or baby nutrition in order to inculcate healthy eating habits in the child that will become a lifestyle. While it is difficult to arrive at one food that could be labeled as the best baby food available on earth, various easy to digest foods could be tried as the baby is growing and develops his taste for particular foods.
The First Six Months
- The baby needs only breast milk or formula during this stage of life. There is no doubt that breastfeeding is the preferred method of infant feeding and breast milk is the best baby food at this age.
- Formula feeding should be an option only if the mother is not able to breastfeed, or weans from the breast before baby is one year old. It is better to give the baby Iron-fortified formulas these cases.
- Introduction of Solid Food (4-6 months)
- Any baby food other than breast food, iron- fortified formula, and plain water must be offered to the baby only when the baby is atleast four months old.
- Giving solid food too early contributes to:
- Allergies
- Stomach upset
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Offer small amounts of infant cereal at first (1 Tbsp. cereal + 2 Tbsp. breast milk or formula).
- Dilute fruit juices with water (half and half) for your baby.
- Feed your baby solid food from a small spoon, not from a bottle or infant feeder. Make the feeding time enjoyable for both - you and your baby !During the first year, a baby is learning about food and how to eat and needs practice at these skills.Your baby's calories and nutrients are supplied primarily from breast milk or formula during this time.
Adding Fruits and Vegetables (6-7 months)
- Once the baby is used to taking in solid foods like infant cereals, you can introduce strained or mashed fruits and vegetable, but in small quantities (one tbsp). This amount can be increased gradually.
Start Simple: Along with iron-fortified cereal, baby’s first solids can be single foods such as mashed banana or cooked and pureed apple, pear, pumpkin or potato. Once baby is enjoying a good range of fruits and vegetables, you can introduce him to more vegetables and fruits such as apple or pear. Gradually become more adventurous with different foods and textures. When teeth start coming in, try mashed legumes and fruits such as berries, citrus and other fruits that have been deseeded and mashed. Puree in a food processor or with a hand blender, adding some of the cooking water if you need to smooth out the mixture.
- Don’t let the excitement of your baby eating solid food make you over-zealous in feeding your baby. Add only one new food at a time. Wait for at least three days before trying a new food. This way you will be able to find out which food your baby is allergic to. Allergic reactions may include skin rash, diarrhea, watering of the eyes and nose, and vomiting.
Introduce new foods when your baby is in a good mood. The likelihood of your baby accepting the food is greater at this time.
Adding Protein Foods (7-8 months)
- Protein foods can be added to your baby’s diet at seven months of age. Strained tofu, dried beans (cooked and mashed), yogurt, cottage cheese, and egg yolk can now be given to the baby.
- Start with teaspoon size servings and increase gradually to tbsp. size servings. Important – Never force feed your baby. There may be some reason if the baby is not taking a particular food. He may not like the taste or may not be feeling well or may simply be full. The baby may fall asleep, act disinterested, or become playful when full!
Adding Fruits and Vegetables (6-7 months)
- Protein foods can be added to your baby’s diet at seven months of age. Strained tofu, dried beans (cooked and mashed), yogurt, cottage cheese, and egg yolk can now be given to the baby.
- Start with teaspoon size servings and increase gradually to tbsp. size servings. Important – Never force feed your baby. There may be some reason if the baby is not taking a particular food. He may not like the taste or may not be feeling well or may simply be full. The baby may fall asleep, act disinterested, or become playful when full!
Adding Table Foods (8-12 months)
All your hard work in feeding the baby, giving him different food and teaching him to take in the food starts giving result now. At this age the baby is generally ready to and interested in eating with the rest of the family.
Give your baby very soft table foods such as mashed potatoes, porridge and other soft vegetables. As your baby grows more teeth, the consistency of the foods you can offer will become more varied.
- Babies do not need desserts, soda pop, sweets, sugar, or salt in their food. Remove the food for your infant before adding these ingredients to the food for the rest of the family.
- Avoid using crisp or hard foods that may cause your baby to choke such as nuts, seeds, raw carrots, popcorn, and chips.
It is important to consult your baby's doctor or health professional regarding the proper time to introduce fresh, pasteurized cow's milk into your baby's diet. Current recommendations are that the intake of fresh whole cow's milk after six months of age should be no more than three cups per day to prevent iron deficiency. Infant formula or breast milk is preferable to fresh cow's milk during the first 6-12 months of life because excessive ingestion of fresh cow's milk may contribute to iron deficiency by increasing gastrointestinal blood loss. If fresh, whole cow's milk is started before baby is 12 months old, iron-fortified infant cereal should be given to provide enough iron for your baby.
Offer a wide variety of foods to your baby to encourage good eating habits.
- Babies do not need desserts, soda pop, sweets, sugar, or salt in their food. Remove the food for your infant before adding these ingredients to the food for the rest of the family.
- Avoid using crisp or hard foods that may cause your baby to choke such as nuts, seeds, raw carrots, popcorn, and chips.It is rewarding for your child to succeed at feeding himself. This way you are inculcating good eating habits in baby.
Good food habits are learned early. As a parent, there is a lot you can do and you must do to help your child develop positive and healthy habits that will last a lifetime.