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What is the most common worry for every mother? Yes, feeding her baby. If your baby is born with a healthy weight, you would want to maintain that throughout. If he is born underweight, you would want to bring it up to normal at any cost. Either way, you need to know what to feed your baby and from when you can begin a certain food, such as solids.
Ask your acquaintances; each one has their version. So, whose advice to take? Here’s a guide that you can use to feed your child.
1. From birth to four months
Your baby would turn toward your nipple for nourishment. At this stage, you must feed only breast milk and in a few cases formula milk. Your baby doesn’t need solid foods this time around because his digestive tract is still developing. Your baby is getting adequate mother’s milk if he dampens at least six times a day. You would be feeding your baby once every two hours. When there are episodes of a growth spurt, you can expect to feed your child more.
2. Between four and six months
By this time your baby is ready for solid foods. However, you don’t have to rush to feed your baby with solid foods. In fact, he should be breastfed exclusively for six months. Your little one may or may not show these signs, but you could still watch out for these clues for his readiness for solid food:
- Your baby has put on considerable weight since birth (it should have put on at least 13 pounds of weight)
- It can hold its head up
- It can sit in a high chair
- It makes or imitates chewing motion
- It can move food from front to back of mouth
- Shows interest in food
- Your baby does not push food out of mouth with tongue
At this stage, you will want to continue breastfeeding while introducing purees — vegetables, fruits, and meat. You could also give semi-liquid foods such as iron-fortified cereals. Begin with about one teaspoon a day. You could even mix cereal with around four teaspoons breast milk or formula. Gradually increase the one-tablespoon feed from one time a day to twice a day. You can also increase the consistency of the food to make it more solid.
Remember to introduce foods one at a time. Watch out for any food-related allergies. Make a diary of what you are feeding and how your baby is reacting.
3. Between six to eight months
Your baby would show the same readiness for solid foods as mentioned in #2. This time you can also introduce pureed tofu, unsweetened yogurt from non-cow milk, pureed legumes, and iron-fortified cereals. The servings can gradually increase from one to three tablespoons in four feedings. Maintain a food log. Wait for two or three days after introducing a food to check for any allergies. The order of the food doesn’t matter. Don’t introduce all new foods at a time.
4. Between eight to ten months
The signs of readiness for solid foods are the same as above. This time around your baby will pick up objects and try to nibble or swallow. You can introduce small amounts of soft pasteurized cottage cheese, mashed vegetables, and fruits, finger foods, bits of bagels, teething crackers, well-cooked spiral pasta, bits of scrambled eggs, lentils, well-cooked beans, poultry, small bits of meat and iron-fortified cereals.
The amounts must be:
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup dairy
- 3-4 tablespoons protein-rich foods
- 1 cup vegetables
- 1 cup fruit
Here as well you will need to maintain a food log, watch out for food-related allergies, and make sure that you don’t introduce all the foods at one time.
5. Between 10-12 months
Your baby will begin to swallow food easily. Since he has more teeth, it will be easy for him to chew or nibble. Your baby would not push food out of his mouth at this stage. He will be interested in using the spoon.
Here’s how much you will want to feed:
• 1/3 cup dairy
• 1 cup fruit
• 1 cup vegetables
• ¼ cup combo foods
• 3-4 tablespoons protein-rich foods
You may introduce foods as long as your baby is not allergic to them. Do not be ambitious. Feed only tiny portions, which your baby can eat. Also, do not worry if your baby isn’t eating solids. He needs some time to accept the changes in his feeding pattern. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to ask your doctor.
