Baby nutrition plays a vital role in the overall health of your baby.
Maintaining a balanced diet with all nutrients helps to develop and maintain physical and mental functions of the baby.
Proper nutrition for your baby not only keeps healthy but also prevents certain medical problems such as diseases, weight problems, developing weak bones, and diabetes.
For a new born baby, breast milk is the most perfect nutrition. The breast milk contains easily digestible proteins to help in digestion and essential nutrients for the growth of the baby.
However, for the developing baby, breast milk should not be the only source. The baby nutrition should also include solid foods.
On the other hand, from a recent research, it is found that introducing solid foods too early in the baby nutrition leads to deficiency in two ways: development of food allergies, and iron and protein deficiencies.
The doctors began recommending the baby nutrition with breast milk instead of solid foods for a longer period.
Although your baby is ready to start solids at four to six months, try to breast feed for the first twelve months. Therefore, according to the doctors, no solid food has the nutritional value of breast milk for your baby.
However, while introducing solid foods to your baby, it should be done with the guidance of your pediatrician because the doctor can suggest what kind of solid foods to be introduced in the baby nutrition.
Rice cereal is the most popular solid food to be given primarily, as it contains the highest levels of iron that is necessary for the fast-growth of your baby. Also, it is easy to digest and gives no allergic reaction.
Experts believe that giving healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables from the beginning can place a better foundation for maintaining healthy eating habits throughout life.
So, gradually introduce fruits and vegetables in your baby nutrition, but try only mashed bananas, mashed sweet potatoes, or pureed peas.
Once the baby is at seven or eight months, add pureed meat and poultry to your baby nutrition although these are slightly harder to digest than rice cereal, fruits and vegetables. Even you can try cooked broccoli, carrots, and egg yolks in a very little quantity.
Between nine and twelve months, give soft combination foods to your child such as pasta with tomato sauce, macaroni and cheese, bread and butter.
Once the child completes one year, feed your baby with the same things that you prepare for the rest of your family. However, add the foods in your baby nutrition to a manageable size.
The best baby nutrition advice is to maintain your child strong and healthy by giving a variety of foods that are easily digestible for the baby, including rice cereal, vegetables, fruits and healthy snacks.
In addition to these, you can also add fruit juices in your child nutrition. However, consult your doctor about the best kinds of fruit juices for your baby. It is always advisable for you to consult your pediatrician before making any change in your child nutrition.
