The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Baby

Your baby has grown very quickly over the last few months, and so has her appetite! Luck for the both of you, it’s time to introduce some new yummies to her diet.

Ideally, you want to feed your child a wide range of foods. That being said, it’s important not to rush through this process. You want to take your time in offering these new foods, and try to space them out by a few days. For example, once you start feeding your baby pureed carrots, don’t introduce any new foods for about 2 or 3 days. This will give you ample time to gauge whether or not your baby is allergic to the new food. It will also allow your child to get used to and experience all the new tastes and textures.

The older your baby is when you first introduce her to solid foods, the better her digestive tract will be able to handle the new, foreign substances. This is the key point in avoiding severe allergic reactions to food.

More on Baby Allergies

Keep in mind that your baby may not like or accept a certain food right away. This is nothing to worry about. Experts say that it may take anywhere from 10 to 20 servings of the same food before an individual will accept it. In some cases, it takes that many servings before they will even try it! Husbands, anyone?

You want to build a “Feeding Baby” routine or schedule, and stick to it. Try to establish certain mealtimes and engage in talking, smiling and encouraging your child. You want these times to be relaxed and happy, as well as consistent. Doing so will help your baby realize what is happening and what her part in the routine consists of.

Remember: These new foods are simply an addition to your baby’s diet of breast milk or baby formula, not a replacement.

• Baby cereals – iron fortified rice cereal, barley cereal, wheat cereal
• Pureed vegetables – carrots, potatoes, parsnips, sweet potatoes (almost any pureed veggie)
• Pureed fruits – mangoes, peaches, bananas, cooked apples, cooked pears (almost any pureed fruit)

NOTE: Breast milk carries enough zinc for the first six months, but by the seventh month you will need to introduce and feed your baby an alternate source. If you think your baby is ready, you may want to start feeding her small amounts (1 or 2 ounces) of soft, cooked beef or turkey. Baby formula is also a reliable source of zinc.

Once your baby has eaten a variety of stand-alone foods, it may be time to try a few combinations of food. However, try to resist the urge of mixing in a food loved by your little one, with a food she hates. There is a good chance she will end up liking neither.

Pages: 1 2