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Feeding and Nutrition for Babies
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 Until
babies are 6 months old they should be either breastfeeding or being
bottle feed on a quality formula. When they are about 6 months old
you can start introducing other foods into their diet. Babies have
very discerning tastes so sometimes introducing new food is more
of a fiasco than a feast!
The first order of business is to relax! Introducing
new foods can be a time of exciting anticipation for you as you
see your baby leaping toward new milestones of development. Because
of this, you may also tend to get frustrated and even more determined
that your baby will love at least some of the foods you've taken
the trouble to introduce.
- Now for the reality check: While your little tike may eagerly
devour his first bites of a new food, he's just as likely to let
you know in no uncertain terms that he doesn't like it! Remember
that every food you introduce is one that has never crossed your
baby's lips, which means he has to get used to the new texture
and the flavor of each one — not to mention that pesky spoon.
With all of this in mind, here are tips for helping your baby
try (and eventually eat) new foods.
- If at first you don't succeed, try, try, TRY again! Your baby
may hate his first, third, and ninth exposure to carrots, but
the tenth time just may be the charm! So don't give up!
- In the same spirit of trying things many times, experiment
with different ways of presenting foods. Your baby may not like
bananas by themselves, but he may love them mixed with his favorite
oatmeal cereal. (Just be sure not to introduce more than one new
food at a time, so you can check for allergies.) Likewise, your
older baby may prefer shredded steamed carrots to sliced.
- Try new foods when your baby and you are at your best —
when you're both well rested, in good spirits, and healthy.
- Your baby will be more open to new foods if he's hungry (but
not overly hungry) so give him his new food before his bottle.
- Although your baby might make a funny face, it doesn't mean
that he doesn't like it. He may just be reacting to the distinctly
different taste.
- Babies are easily distracted, so especially when introducing
new foods, keep distractions — like TV, music, and toys
— to a minimum.
- If your baby seems interested in holding the spoon, give him
his own. That way he's more of an active participant.
- Provide a positive eating experience for your baby, by either
holding him or facing him in the highchair and giving him your
undivided attention. Try to keep your facial expressions positive,
even when serving a food you detest!
- Let your baby see you eating the same food he's eating. He
loves imitating you.
- Your baby may like a new food but still only eat a few teaspoons.
That's perfectly normal.
- If your baby gives you the thumbs-down on a particular food
(closing his mouth, turning his head, throwing the spoon), don't
force it. Give another try a few days or a week later. Any forcing
or frustration on your part may turn mealtime into a negative
experience full of power struggles — not a good road to
go down!
If you have a picky eater on your hands (which
many of us do) don’t get discouraged. Babies will eventually
eat what’s in the house! Keep fixing healthy foods for breakfast,
lunch and dinner. Avoid having “junk food” in your cupboards
and buy low sugar foods and drinks. You’re baby/toddler will
begin to eat when he’s hungry enough. In the meantime, there’s
no sense in having a “food fight” with your little one!
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