Worried About Baby Food! Here Are Some Tips
New mothers often find it challenging to set a proper diet for their babies. This is mainly because babies are sensitive and giving the wrong food would result in various health ailments. A balanced diet rich in nutrients will keep your baby hale and healthy. A nutritious diet composes of a variety of vitamins, minerals and proteins that are a must for your toddler. There are certain foods that are a must for your little ones and these must be included in your child’s everyday diet.
Do not skip Breast Milk
One of the healthiest foods for a newborn is none other than breast milk. Packed with nutrients and other essential vitamins, breast milk is a must for every baby. Further, breast milk is composed of disease-fighting components that boost the immune system of your baby. Given below are some of the top benefits of breastfeeding that every mother should be aware of.
- Mother’s milk contains all the essential nutrients and substances that prevent babies from falling sick. It helps fight against diseases such as ear infections, stomach ailments, and meningitis, among others. On an average, is it must to breastfeed your baby at least for a time period of six months or above.
- Studies show that breastfeeding will prevent certain types of allergies in children. The milk coats the walls of the baby’s intestine, forming a protective layer. This, in turn, prevents inflammation and other allergic reactions that the baby might have due to the intake of certain food items.
- Breastfeeding aids in improving the brain health of your child. Prolonged breastfeeding plays a vital role in developing the child’s intelligence. Research shows that babies who are breastfed have good IQ when compared to those who are not breastfed.
- Babies who are breastfed are less likely to die from SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- When compared to formula fed babies, breastfed babies are healthy as they get all the vital nutrients from their mother’s milk.
- Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for the baby, but also for the mother. It reduces stress and prevents ovarian and breast cancers.
Women who are unable to nurse can choose alternative methods to feed their babies. There are real-food substitutes that contain more or less the same ingredients in a mother’s milk. This comes as a blessing in disguise for those who cannot nurse their infants.
When the baby is about six months old, parents can start with solid foods after consulting a pediatrician. To begin with, parents can include fruit puree, oatmeal, rice cereal, and bananas. Avocados also serve as the best baby food as it contains nearly 20 vitamins that are essential for a healthy baby. They are also rich in fiber and hence help in easy digestion and bowel moments. Carrots and apple puree can also be included in your baby’s diet. Carrots are rich in potassium, iron, copper and other necessary vitamins. They boost immunity and also improve the eyesight of babies. In addition to this, parents can also include boiled vegetables and mixed fruit puree as a part of their baby’s diet.
One of the best solid foods that you can feed your little one is a sweet potato. Boiled sweet potatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. These are best suited for babies above six months of age. Butternut squash is another important solid food that makes a perfect meal for your infant. It is rich in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Apart from these foods, you can also include meat, liver, butter, and broth among others. You can also visit your pediatrician and get tips on the type of food to serve your infant.
Some Tips to Keep in Mind When Feeding Your Baby
- Some babies are fussy eaters and will not like everything you give them. Do not force the baby to have something for the first time. Give it a few days and make a note of the food habit.
- If you want to check if your baby is allergic to a certain food, wait for about three days. This will help you identify if the baby gets any type of allergy reaction to the specific food.
- Always make it a point to cook vegetables properly before feeding your baby. This will make the food easily consumable and help in fast digestion.
- Try not to add too much of pepper or salt to your baby’s diet.
- Before starting a new food item, always get advice from your pediatrician.
- Do not overfeed the baby and keep a timetable of the food items you serve. This is one of the best ways to monitor your infant’s eating habits.
- Do not include hard food items such as chips and nuts as it may lead to choking.
- Make it a point to serve fresh food and do not stock it in the refrigerator as it may lead to the growth of bacteria.