Nutrition Guideline for Infant's First Year
Starting solid foods for your baby is an exciting milestone. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this transition smoothly.
Signs of Readiness
Before you start, ensure your baby is ready. Look for signs such as:
- Good head control
- Sitting with support
- Showing interest in food
- Able to move food to the back of the mouth and swallow
Starting Foods
Begin with easy-to-digest pureed or mashed foods. Some good options include:
- Mashed banana
- Avocado
- Cooked and pureed carrots
Once your baby is comfortable, you can introduce cereals, lentils, or rice.
Feeding Amounts
Start with a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) for the first few meals. Gradually increase based on your baby’s hunger and fullness cues such as opening the mouth for the spoon and turning away when full.
Frequency
Initially, offer one small solid meal a day. Over several weeks, increase this to 2-3 times daily as your baby accepts solids.
Feeding Method
Use spoon feeding for purees. For older babies with improved coordination, you might consider baby-led weaning with soft finger foods. Ensure the foods are safe sizes and textures to prevent choking.
Milk Feeds
Prioritize breast milk or formula before solids initially. Milk remains the main nutrition source until about 12 months.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid adding salt, sugar, or spices to your baby's food. Also, avoid honey before 1 year due to the botulism risk. Whole nuts and foods posing choking hazards should be avoided as well. Cow's milk should not be used as a main drink before 12 months.
Feeding Environment
Make sure your baby is seated upright in a highchair during feeding. Never leave them alone, and introduce new foods one at a time, waiting a few days between new foods to monitor for allergic reactions.
If your baby refuses food, try again after a few days without forcing. This approach promotes safe, gradual exposure to solids while ensuring nutrition and comfort for your baby during the transition.
[1]: Source 1 [2]: Source 2 [3]: Source 3 [4]: Source 4
- As your family's health and wellness advocate, it's crucial to understand the science behind nutrition when introducing solid foods to your baby. [Source 1]
- Embrace the home-and-garden lifestyle to create a nurturing environment for your baby's first solid food experiences, ensuring a sturdy highchair and a seated upright position. [Source 2]
- A health-and-wellness focused parenting approach means being aware of what foods are appropriate for your baby's age, such as steaming carrots for a puree or soft finger foods for baby-led weaning. [Source 3]
- To maintain a balanced lifestyle, keep in mind that while providing tasty and diverse food-and-drink choices to your baby, breast milk or formula remains the primary source of nutrition until they reach 12 months. [Source 4]
