INFANT NUTRITION : What to Serve from BIRTH to 12 Months & Older

New parents are subjected to all kinds of contradictory advice about infant nutrition. Infancy, the first year of life, is a prime time for growth and changes throughout the body. What we eat as infants strongly affects our long-term body weight, health, metabolic programming, immune system, and overall aging.

                ·           THE  FIRST  6  MONTHS

a)     Breast is Best for Both Mom and Baby :--

Babies can be exclusively breast-fed for their first six months of life. Breast milk is the optimal nutrient mix for infants. It’s full of good stuff like antibodies, antimicrobial factors, enzymes, and anti-inflammatory factors along with fatty acids (which promote optimal brain development).

Breastfeeding keeps the baby developing and growing properly, helps infants fight off disease (such as gastrointestinal and respiratory infections) both now and in the future, and may even ensure that the baby grows up to prefer healthy food. Because breastfeeding stimulates the release of beneficial hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin, it can help the mother lose weight and bond with her baby.

What we as a pregnant or nursing mother eat, our baby eats. Of course, breast milk will be especially healthy if mom eats nutritiously while she’s pregnant and breastfeeding.

b)     Supplementation While Breastfeeding :--

Breast milk will provide all of the nutrients the infant needs for the first six months of life. However, some babies may need a bit of supplementation at times.

-   Vitamin D: Because modern life, especially in northern latitudes, leaves so many of us with low vitamin D levels, many mothers are deficient in vitamin D while pregnant and breastfeeding. This means that infants may need a vitamin D supplement. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a daily vitamin D supplement of 400IU for all breast-fed infants, starting immediately after birth.

-   Vitamin B12: Breastfeeding mothers who eat an exclusively plant-based (vegan) diet should supplement with vitamin B12.

-   Iron: A fetus will store iron from the mother’s blood while in the womb.  Premature babies need extra iron because they do not build up enough stores. Breast milk doesn’t have much iron, but it is well absorbed. Formula-fed infants will likely get enough iron.

-   Probiotics: Babies are born with a sterile environment inside. As they pass through the birth canal, the mothers’ bacteria colonize infants’ mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract. This is normal and desirable, just how Nature intended. However, in an environment of modern cleanliness, or perhaps after a C-section, this bacterial colonization doesn’t happen as easily or well. This can lead to later gastrointestinal, respiratory, and/or ear-nose-throat type infections in babies, as well as a lower immune system. In this case, parents can supplement with an infant probiotic formulation, talk to the pharmacist to find out what’s best.

·     MONTHS  6 - 12

a)     Introducing Solid Food :--

Weaning our baby is an exciting time for both of us. It's a huge step forward for our baby into whole new world of tastes and textures.

b)     When can My Baby Begin Solid Foods :--

Infants are ready for solid foods once they have doubled their birth weight, providing they can hold their heads up, sit in a high chair, open their mouths when food is presented, and swallow. This usually occurs around six months old.

c)     How do I Feed My Baby :--

At first, offer solid foods in addition to breast milk, not as a replacement for it. The first “solid” foods should also be liquid-like. (Don’t give your baby beef jerky right off the bat.)

i)                Take Your Time When Introducing New Foods--

Don’t rush. Start with half a spoonful or less and talk to our baby through the process ("Mmm, see how good this is?"). Our baby may not know what to do at first. She may look confused, wrinkle her nose, roll the food around inside her mouth, or reject it altogether.

d)     Which Food Should I Give My Baby First :--

i)               Solid Food Timeline--

Step 1: Rice cereal or single grain cereal

Rice cereal or single grain cereal with breast milk or formula is a common first food.  It’s generally well-tolerated with low potential for allergy.

Step 2: Vegetables

Pureed or strained vegetables are referred to as stage 1 or 2 foods for the baby.

Wash all fresh vegetables; then bake, boil, or steam until soft. We can puree in either a blender or a food processor, or use a small hand food mill; add a little liquid like breast milk, baby formula, or water at first. We can use less water for a thicker puree as our baby gets used to the new foods.

Step 3: Fruit

Pureed or strained fruits might expect every food to taste sweet; an important factor considering that food tastes formed early in life baby can persist.

Wash all fresh fruits, then bake, boil, or steam until soft. We can puree it either in a blender or in a food processor, or use a small hand food mill; add a little liquid like breast milk, baby formula, or water at first. Make it watery at first, then use less liquid as our baby gets used to solid foods.

Step 4: Higher-protein foods

This includes well-cooked and mashed beans/lentils/green peas, finger foods like small o-shaped cereals, teething crackers, or small pieces of soft fruit, cooked pasta, or vegetables.

Cut up to make sure the pieces are small enough for the baby to swallow without choking.

Dairy: small amounts of cottage cheese, or any pasteurized cheese. Cut cheese into small pieces.

·     12- MONTHS  &  OLDER

By around one year old, we can add a pretty good roster of foods, baby can try eating most of the foods we eat, if they are cut up or mashed properly so that he can safely chew and swallow.

As our baby gets more teeth and learns to chew more effectively, he will begin to be able to eat larger pieces of food. Continue to monitor his chewing carefully, and when in doubt, cut pieces smaller that we think necessary.

We can try foods such as:

• avocado
• tree nuts
• string beans
• asparagus
• puréed fresh fruit
• mashed lentils/beans (make sure these are adequately cooked)
• Finely chop, mash, and/or puree most of these, especially meat or any little bits that can’t be easily gummed, or that can cause choking.

·     WHAT  DOES  BABY  LIKE

Every mom and dad has a feeding-time horror story of their baby deciding to redecorate the wall, floor, ceiling, or hapless parent’s shirt. Sometimes it’s hard to know what babies will like from one bite to the next. Be patient and persistent. Here are some tricks and tips for helping the baby eat a wide variety of foods despite an often-picky infant palate.

-   Eat a wide variety of foods while pregnant: What we eat can affect what baby will tolerate and like.

-   Use timing to your advantage: Introduce new foods when babies are hungriest.

-   Add a touch of sweetness: Humans are born with an innate preference for sweetness, which in nature signifies valuable energy-rich foods. Blend up a little bit of sweet potato or fruit into otherwise less-sweet foods (such as more bitter vegetables)

-   Try avoiding processed sugar: Again, remember that what our baby starts with will affect their adult food preferences. So avoid processed sugar, especially hidden in commercial baby foods along with fruit purées and juices, as much as possible. And avoid honey for the first year or so, as it can contain bacteria that infants can’t yet deal with.

-   Keep at it: If our baby refuses to eat a particular food, that’s okay. (This might happen more often with vegetables.) Leave the food out of the routine for a while and come back to it later. Often babies and children need to try novel foods over and over before they adjust to them. Keep the experience as positive and relaxed as possible, and do our best.

“Let baby lead the way when it comes to solid foods,” Erin Weiss-Trainor suggests. 

-   Stick with whole foods: Infants are intuitive eaters.  They know how much they need. But there is a catch, the conditions have to be right.  Force-feeding and/or introducing processed foods (such as juice or jam) before whole foods can destroy this delicate self-regulation.

Follow our baby’s hunger levels and food preferences, while seeking to gently expand their repertoire with high-quality, nutrient-rich choices.

·     FEEDING  SCHEDULES

         I.            Learning hunger cues is important for both parents and babies. Remember that infants will be highly self-regulated. They’ll want to eat when they’re hungry, and stop when they’re full.

       II.            Try not to pressure the baby into a set schedule in the early days, or wake them to feed during the night. Relax and see if we can find their rhythms.

     III.            If baby is spitting up a lot or making large watery stools, especially if they’re supplementing with formula, they may be over-feeding. Back off slightly and see if we notice a difference in their hunger signals and bowel habits.

     IV.            Help our baby communicate

Krista Schaus recommends teaching our baby sign language. When baby can sign for “more”, “hungry”, “full”, “gimme that thing”, and even “diaper change”, life becomes easier.

·     MAKING  FOOD  AT  HOME

It’s easy and cost-effective to make baby food at home. All we need is a food processor or small blender.

Early on, our baby’s food choices will be limited, but over time we can mash, chop, and/or purée most of the foods we happen to be eating. Makes food prep simple, and more importantly — we know exactly what our baby’s getting. Make sure we blend/mash the food well, and avoid any foods that might cause choking.  Chunks/clumps of any food, hot dogs, candy, nuts, grapes, nut butter, and popcorn all tend to cause problems.

If we use commercial baby food, check the ingredients. Only feed out of the jar if you are going to use the entire jar.

 

     ·             NUTRIENT  REQUIREMENT

If we’re feeding our older baby a relatively wide range of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods when they’re hungry, that’s probably all we need to worry about. But here are some general guidelines for nutrient intake in older babies and young children (6 months – 2 years).

-   Fats: Growing babies and children need plenty of fat, particularly saturated, monounsaturated, and omega-3 fats. Look for naturally occurring whole-food fats such as: avocado; coconut; butter and other high-fat dairy; nuts, seeds, and nut butters.

Omega-3 fats (DHA/EPA) in particular are critical for overall health; body composition; and eye, brain and nervous system development. Consider an infant-appropriate omega 3 supplement.

-   Iron: Babies need iron for cognitive, neurological, motor, and behavioral development, and they start to require additional dietary iron around 6 months. Start adding iron-rich foods around this time. This can begin with iron-fortified rice cereal and over time include other iron-rich foods such as: leafy greens; orange-fleshed squash; figs; raisins; nuts & seeds; lentils; artichokes; peas & lima beans; potatoes

While some iron is important, don’t go overboard. Check to be sure we aren’t overdoing the iron if we rely on a lot of fortified baby foods.

-   Zinc: Cells need zinc.  Infants older than six months of age who eat a 100% plant-based (vegan) diet might need a zinc supplement. Foods rich in zinc: peas & beans; nuts & seeds; napa cabbage; hearts of palm; sun-dried tomatoes; cocoa powder; cheese

-   Vitamin B12: Infants older than six months of age eating a 100% plant-based (vegan) diet will need a vitamin B12 supplement.
-   Fluoride: If water isn’t fluoridated, a supplement might be necessary.

-   Iodine: Iodine keeps the thyroid healthy.  Infants older than six months of age who eat non-iodized salt and a limited variety of foods might need a supplement. Foods rich in iodine include: dried prunes; strawberries; sea vegetables; yogurt; eggs; iodized salt

-   Hydration: Stick with mostly water or herbal tea. Save vegetable and fruit juices for special occasions, unless we make them yourself from blending up fresh/cooked fruits and vegetables.

·                  SUMMARY  &  RECOMMENDATIONS

Infants don’t shop and prepare their own food.  That means they depend on parents and caregivers to shop and prepare foods that promote optimal health.

To give your baby the best start:

• If we can, breastfeed for at least the first six months of the infant’s life.

• If required, add a vitamin D and/or B12 supplement after 2-3 months.

• At around six months of age, start with some basic solid foods.

• Start with something like rice cereal, then vegetables, then fruits and protein-dense foods. Introduce only one new food at a time, and see how it goes.

• Choose whole foods. These are nutritious and satiating, and develop appropriate taste preferences.

• Follow our baby’s hunger signals, and food preferences, while also gently and patiently adding food variety and mealtime structure. Don’t rush new foods, but be persistent and stick with it.

• Talk with our doctor and pharmacist about supplements (calcium, greens, iron, zinc, iodine, omega-3 fats, probiotics, etc.) if appropriate.
• Go for organic and/or food items with lower levels of pesticides.

• Minimize added sugars. This includes fruit juice and other processed foods. Read labels.

• For the first six months of life breast milk usually provides enough fluid.  After six months of age, water and herbal tea are fine. Avoid cow, soy, and other processed milks for the first year.

• Do your best. Parenting is hard enough, and each child is unique. Don’t try to get it “perfect”.