Baby Feeding

Most babies are not ready for solid foods, including infant cereals, until they are about 6 months old, though some babies could be ready a month or two earlier. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advocates waiting until your baby is at least four months old to introduce solid food. Even better, says the organization, is to wait until your baby is six months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months after birth. But by ages 4 months to 6 months, most babies are ready to begin eating solid foods as a complement to breast-feeding or formula-feeding. At 4 months your baby's digestive system isn't mature yet, this is why early introduction to solids is often associated with issues such as, constipation, gas, upset tummy etc. Around 6 months, the gut begins to close (aka matures) and allows for more optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients. At 6 months, your baby will still be getting most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula. Start to introduce solid foods around 6 months of age (not before 4 months). Your baby will take only small amounts of solid foods at first. Start feeding your baby solids once a day, building to 2 or 3 times a day. That's why cereals fortified with iron are an ideal early food. Combine one teaspoon of single-grain cereal with four to five teaspoons of breast milk or formula. At first, most of the cereal will end up on your baby's chin. Aim to feed your little one about 1-2 tablespoons of food twice a day. Solid food shouldn't take the place of milk as the main source of nutrients. Indeed, babies should still drink about 4-6 ounces per feeding when they're 4 months old. If your baby is under 6 months old, they only need to drink breastmilk or infant formula. It's because babies' bodies aren't suited for water until several months after birth. Tiny tummies and developing kidneys put them at risk for both nutrient loss and water intoxication. From 6 months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water, if needed, in addition to their breastmilk or formula feeds. Bananas may be introduced to your baby as early as 4 months old. Please remember that the recommended age to begin introducing solid foods is between 4-6 months old, with 6 months being the idea age. Most babies can start eating yogurt as soon as they start eating solids around 4 to 6 months. Yogurt is an excellent choice for one of your baby's first foods because it contains calcium, protein, and vitamins. 1 to 4 tablespoons of cereal once or twice a day. 1 to 4 tablespoons each of a fruit and vegetable once or twice a day. Can I give my baby solids at night? No. Your baby's ability to sleep through the night depends more on what age he is, and what sleep habits he's become used to, than what he eats during the day. Your baby doesn't need solids to help him sleep. It is generally acknowledged that formula-fed infants gain more weight than breastfed infants and breastfeeding is an important protector against overweight and obesity. As your baby starts eating solid foods, he or she will drink less. Slowly increase the amount of solid food you offer and decrease the amount of breast milk or formula. Your baby needs the extra nutrients he's getting from a variety of foods, so it's best not to let him fill up with milk first. For infants, not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity, including otitis media, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia, as well as elevated risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Physicians' groups settled on the 6-month cut-off after earlier research determined that children who get solid food at too early might be at a greater risk for developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, eczema and celiac disease. While it is certainly possible to overfeed a baby, most infant nutrition experts agree that it is fairly uncommon. As we noted earlier, babies are innately capable of self-regulating their intake; they eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full.

The journey of motherhood is filled with precious moments, and one of the most significant is the bond created through breastfeeding. As a new mom, it's essential to be prepared with the right tools to make this experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. In this blog, we'll explore five essential items that every new mom should consider when embarking on their breastfeeding journey.   Nursing Bras and Tops: Investing in comfortable nursing bras and tops is crucial for breastfeeding moms. These specially designed bras offer easy access for nursing while providing essential support. Look for bras with adjustable straps and easy-to-open clasps to make feeding your baby a breeze. Nursing tops with discreet openings or flaps provide privacy while allowing easy access for your little one. Buy here: 3PACK Womens Full Bust Nursing Seamless Maternity Bra   2. Breast Pump: A breast pump is a valuable tool for breastfeeding moms, whether you plan to return to work or simply want to build up a stash of milk for times when you can't be with your baby. Manual or electric, a breast pump helps you express milk efficiently and comfortably. Some electric pumps even have double pumping capabilities, saving you time and effort. Buy here: TSRETE Breast Pump, Double Wearable Breast Pump   3. Nursing Pillow: A nursing pillow is a must-have for new moms. These pillows provide much-needed support for your baby, allowing you to find the most comfortable breastfeeding position. They can be placed around your waist to elevate your baby to the right height and reduce strain on your back and arms. Many nursing pillows are also versatile and can be used for tummy time and as your baby grows. Buy here: Boppy Nursing Pillow Original Support   4. Nipple Cream: Breastfeeding can sometimes lead to sore and cracked nipples. That's where nipple cream comes to the rescue. Choose a lanolin-based or all-natural cream to soothe and moisturize your nipples. Applying nipple cream after each feeding session can help prevent discomfort and promote healing. Buy here: Motherlove Nipple Cream (1 oz) Organic Lanolin   5. Nursing Cover or Scarf: While some moms are comfortable nursing in public without any cover, others prefer a bit more privacy. A nursing cover or scarf is a great accessory to have on hand for those moments when you'd like some discretion. These versatile pieces of clothing are designed to drape over your shoulder, covering both you and your baby during feedings. Buy here: Cotton Nursing Cover - Large Breastfeeding Cover with Built-in Burp Cloth & Pocket   In conclusion, breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to nourish your baby and build a strong bond. Having the right essentials can make this experience more comfortable and enjoyable for both you and your little one. From nursing bras and pillows to breast pumps and nipple cream, these five items should be on every new mom's breastfeeding checklist. Remember that every breastfeeding journey is unique, so don't hesitate to seek support and advice from lactation consultants or support groups if needed. Happy breastfeeding!   Read also:  Must-Have Newborn Essentials: Preparing for Your Baby's Arrival The Top 5 Playpens for Both Indoor and Outdoor Play Top 5 Baby Car Seats for Safe and Comfortable Travel Top Baby Strollers: Choosing Comfort and Convenience for Your Little One Navigating the Postpartum Period: Essential Products for New Moms  

Emotional development involves learning what feelings and emotions are, understanding how and why they occur, recognising your own feelings and those of others, and developing effective ways for managing those feelings. As well as physical needs, infants (0- 3 years olds) have basic emotional needs. These emotional needs lay the foundation for their adult lives; their future relationships, autonomy, resilience, self-confidence and emotional stability. Infants begin showing a spontaneous "social smile" around age 2 to 3 months, and begin to laugh spontaneously around age 4 months. In addition, between ages 2 and 6 months, infants express other feelings such as anger, sadness, surprise, and fear. Between ages 5 and 6 months, babies begin to exhibit stranger anxiety. Infants' social-emotional development includes an emerging awareness of self and others. Infants demonstrate this foundation in a number of ways. For example, they can respond to their names, point to their body parts when asked, or name members of their families. Between the ages of 3-6 months, your baby will cry when upset and seek comfort. Show excitement by waving arms and legs. Notice a difference between two people based on the way they look, sound, or feel. Smile at herself in the mirror. The first five years are especially crucial for physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development. Responding to your baby's smiling and crying validates their communicative intent and encourages them to communicate more. Some babies cry to release tension or burn off excess energy and some just need to cry themselves to sleep. Even easy-going babies may get frustrated and angry when they start to explore their surroundings but aren't quite capable of doing what they want. Through early relationships with nurturing and responsive adults, infants and toddlers learn how to be in relationships, how to get their needs and wants met, and how to identify and regulate emotions. Since these skills develop together, this area of development is referred to as social-emotional development. Parents can meet baby's emotional need by making sure they feel heard and noticed. Listen to them and make eye contact. Ask questions and let them know you're paying attention. Engage in conversation with them and you can also get involved in their playing! Play is the natural way that toddlers learn and develop. It's important for all areas of development, including emotional development. Toddlers are little people with big emotions that they don't always have the words for. Play gives them a chance to explore and express their emotions and also practise managing them Emotional well-being during the early years has a powerful impact on social relationships. Children who are emotionally healthy are better able to establish and maintain positive relationships with adults as well as with peers. Social-emotional development is essential to a young child's sense of well-being. Social and emotional development in the early years, also referred to as early childhood mental health, refers to children's emerging capacity to: Experience, regulate and express a range of emotions. Develop close, satisfying relationships with other children and adults.  Research has shown that, during pregnancy, your baby feels what you feel and with the same intensity. That means if you're crying, your baby feels the same emotion, as if it's their own. Babies can and do feel pain. It can affect them immediately and have long lasting effects. Babies can even become bored. They can be affected by a lack of stimulation and interaction with caregivers. Unconditional love and a strong bond with parents are absolutely vital for a good foundation in life. Feeling loved is the most important emotional need of a child. Babies need lots of hugs and kisses and they also need to be told that they are loved.

Baby could be born skinny, perhaps diagnosed as IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) at birth. Or he might have be born normal weight and become progressively leaner during the early months. Genetically lean babies are underweight babies when using medical criteria. There are three reasons why babies do not gain weight: not taking in enough calories, not absorbing calories or burning too many calories. Full-term newborn infants should take in about 1.5 to 2 ounces of breast milk or formula about every 3 hours. Premature infants need more calories than term babies. Slow weight gain could be a problem if your newborn doesn't regain their birth weight within 10 to 14 days after their birth. Your baby up to 3 months old gains less than an ounce a day. Your infant between 3 and 6 months gains less than 0.67 ounces a day. Symptoms of malnutrition in a child can include not growing or putting on weight at the expected rate (faltering growth) changes in behaviour, such as being unusually irritable, slow or anxious. low energy levels and tiring more easily than other children. Increasing calories by eating more healthy foods and adding additional sources of protein can help you and your unborn baby gain a healthy amount of weight. This is true for women who have just learned they are pregnant and for those who are already pregnant and need to up their baby's weight gain before birth. Babies who are formula fed generally gain weight faster than breastfed babies after the first 3 months of life. With formula feeding, it's easier to know how much milk your baby is getting. If your baby's doctor thinks it's necessary, you may have to supplement your baby with additional feedings of either pumped breast milk or infant formula. You can also try to pump and separate your foremilk from your hindmilk. Hindmilk is higher in fat and calories, which can help your baby gain more weight. Foods like potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, dal, ghee, ragi, almonds, yogurt, eggs and milk help the baby to gain weight. Please take a pediatricians' suggestion before you start any of these foods. As always follow a 3 day test rule. If you think your baby's weight is a concern, check with your pediatrician. Some factors like genetics, formula feeding, and your home environment may lead to baby's weight. A baby or toddler with this condition will have a thin skin hanging, which will be due to the lack of fat in their body. This can be detected through signs such as hanging skin, change in skin tone, hair-loss, baby may feel lethargic and will cry for a longer period of time. Your toddler may become underweight for all sorts of reasons. But it's most likely that he's simply burning off more calories than he takes in each day, especially if he's having a long spell of fussy eating. These phases do pass in time though. Your toddler may also lose weight if he's ill, perhaps with a tummy bug. While society may send a message that your baby has to have rolls of baby fat to be healthy, this isn't really true. As long as they're meeting developmental milestones, are alert and active, and are feeding well, you likely don't need to worry.

Families with infants and toddlers have complex needs. Some have unmet physical or mental health needs, while others struggle to provide the basics. Children have certain basic needs in common that must be provided for to ensure their optimal development and well being. Your baby needs good health and energy to learn and grow, and you can help by taking care of their basic needs. Kids must feel safe and sound, with their basic survival needs met: shelter, food, clothing, medical care and protection from harm. Early in life, babies depend on others to meet their needs for safety and security. Provide ways for your child to see, hear, feel, move freely and touch you. Slowly move colourful things for your child to see and reach for. Essential newborn care includes: Immediate care at birth (delayed cord clamping, thorough drying, assessment of breathing, skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding) Thermal care. Resuscitation when needed. Basic Needs of Infants and Toddlers includes adequate Sleep, nutritious food, security and protection, sensory stimulation and strong bonds. Some essentials are onesies, pajamas, pants, and swaddle blankets. For baby's bathing: An infant tub, baby washcloths, baby towels, and wash/lotion for sensitive skin. Diapering: If you're going with disposable diapers, one large box of size 1 diapers can get you started. For cloth diapers, experts recommend having 24.  Between 13 and 20 weeks of your pregnancy should be a good place to begin your serious baby shopping. If you have a baby registry, take care to check and to see what baby stuff has been bought before you go out for them yourself. In any case, have your baby necessities ready to go between 32 and 36 weeks. Many expecting parents prefer to wait to buy baby stuff until they find out the gender of their baby. This generally happens between 18 and 21 weeks, but some people find out as early as 12 weeks.   Things You Need To Have for Your Newborn Baby: Clothing and Layette. Diapers. Bath Items. Grooming/First Aid Tools. Bedding and Sleep Needs. Feeding Supplies. Gear and Furniture.   Essentials That You Need When You're Out WIth Your Baby: Car seat Stroller. Baby carrier or wrap Diaper bag.  Sun shade for car windows. Portable crib. Portable changing pad.   Despite all of the baby products on the market, your little one won't actually require a lot of gear. Your care and support will give your child a secure base from which to explore the world. Love, attention, and affection in the first years of life have a real impact on a child's physical, mental and emotional growth. So cuddle, touch, smile, encourage, listen to and play with your little one whenever you can .

In order to motivate your baby to explore the bottle with his or her mouth, you need to choose a time of day when he or she is happy and alert, as well as a little hungry, which will enable them to start sucking the bottle. You should try to keep things consistent with your baby from the very beginning and offer him or her the bottle at the same time every day so that they know what is coming next. According to research, almost half of babies don't have a problem accepting a bottle at one month, two months, and even three to six months of age; and the rest will accept it if you introduce it with patience and persistence for a few weeks. There are some babies who like to be bottle-fed skin-to-skin, in their preferred nursing position, if they are not being fed by the mother, so they might want to wrap the bottle in something that smells like the mother, such as her clothing or a cloth that has been used to catch dripping milk.   When a baby refuses to take a bottle, try these tips:     Try giving the baby a bottle when he isn't very hungry. Let someone else give your baby breast milk. Try different positions when feeding the baby. Change sides. Try moving around while you feed him. Make sure you hold your baby snugly and upright. Take the bottle and hold it at an angle. Have someone else offer the bottle instead of mom. Don't put the bottle directly into the baby's mouth, let her latch on herself. Give your baby a little time to adjust.   Check out Ebaby's Marketplace to find the perfect baby bottle for your baby!   Some sites recommend you wait six weeks (as that is the average time it takes to establish your milk supply), while others suggest you try earlier - just make sure that you pump milk before you give the baby any formula so that it doesn't interfere with the regular feedings. Occasionally, if you wait too long (after 6 weeks) you may find your baby is strongly against the bottle. It is best to offer the bottle 3-4 times a week and no more than once a day in order to keep your baby familiar with the artificial nipple as well as maintain a strong breastfeeding relationship between you and your baby. The transition from breast to bottle is definitely easier if you introduce a bottle at the right age. However, even if the baby is already two to three months old, it's still possible. In addition to the tips above, you can also help your baby practice with a pacifier. Using a pacifier helps babies develop and strengthen their sucking ability as they grow. When your baby refuses to drink a bottle, these are some of the most common reasons to look out for: Your baby was recently weaned and would like to continue breastfeeding. It might be that your baby isn't hungry enough to want to feed. It could be that your baby is sick, colicky, or otherwise unwell enough to not want to feed.     When a baby is successfully breastfeeding, he does not need to learn to drink from a bottle – he is not missing out on a developmental skill. Many babies skip straight from breastfeeding to a cup as early as four months old. Many babies eventually take a bottle if they need to, especially when their mom is at work the whole day. Oftentimes, when babies have been accepting the bottle for a long time and then suddenly start refusing it, the reason is that they have been associating feeding with something negative. It's a conditioned response to avoid the thing they disliked. This is known as bottle aversion.   Read more: Picky Eater Babies: 10 Tips For Parents To Handle Picky Eater Learn How To Make Homemade Baby Food For The First Time The Effects Of Using A Pacifier For Too Long

Some women wear pads all the time while nursing; others wear them only when out in public. You also could use clean folded handkerchief squares inside your bra. Avoid using plastic-lined pads, which can make it hard for your nipples to get enough air. Nursing pads, also called breast pads, are a very useful breastfeeding accessory. Placed into a regular or a nursing bra, they can absorb breast milk from leaking breasts to help prevent embarrassment, and protect your clothing from stains. Best Nursing Pads : Best Reusable Nursing Pads : Bamboobies Washable Nursing Pads. Best Disposable Nursing Pads : Lansinoh Stay Dry Nursing Pads. Best Nursing Pads for Light Leaks : Nuk Ultra-Thin Disposable Nursing Pads. Best Overnight Nursing Pads : Medela Disposable Nursing Pads. Using Disposable Breast Pads : Prepare Your Nipple. Keeping a bacteria-free environment is essential when using breast pads, so make sure your nipple is dry before applying a clean one.  Remove Adhesive Backing.  Position Nipple Centrally. Press Adhesive Against Bra.  Replace When Wet.  Wet Nipple If Pad Gets Stuck. You will need to change nursing pads frequently at the start of your breastfeeding journey. Once your milk supply is established and your baby is feeding regularly, leaking may slow down. For some, leaking stops completely within 3 months and for others, it remains a feature for the entire time they're nursing. Generally, a breastfeeding mom will start out with six sets. This will allow you to have about one to two pairs in the wash, three pairs available throughout the day, and one spare pair in the diaper bag in case of emergencies. Nursing pads are very helpful while you sleep since the length of time without feeding and the possibility of squeezing your breast in certain sleep positions mean that you can have nighttime leaks. Some pads aren't meant for leaks, and those would be helpful to soothe sore nipples. Like typical diapers, disposable nursing pads are for one-time use. They have an adhesive strip to keep them in place. Consider these during the early days of breastfeeding, when your body is getting the hang of things, or when you're out and about and need a new pad. Leaks generally ease up once your supply is established, but they can happen anytime as long as you're producing milk, so we recommend wearing a pair of breast pads for the duration of your breastfeeding journey. So, we recommend purchasing 5 sets of breast pads to begin with. You can buy a breastfeeding nursing pad on our store! Check it out here: Disposable breasfeeding pad

Babies digest formula more slowly than breast milk, so if you're bottle-feeding, your baby may have fewer feedings than a breastfed infant. If your baby completes his feeds too quickly, this could be because the nipple* is too fast. Newborns sleep a lot. In fact, they can sleep approximately 16 hours total on a daily basis. Some babies, especially those under two weeks of age may sleep for several hours at a time, which can interfere with feedings if they are still sleepy. It's absolutely normal for baby to drink less breast milk if she is eating a significant amount of solid foods. She's simply beginning to move toward a more grown up diet. If you think it's because she's just too distracted to breastfeed, though, try moving feedings to a dark, quiet room. Babies usually make it clear when they are ready to cut down on milk feeds. If your baby only drinks a small amount of milk before losing interest, or if they are easily distracted from their milk feeds, it may be time to start cutting down. If your baby's suddenly eating less but seems to still be healthy and interested in eating, he's likely just going through a healthy slow phase. In a baby 4 to 7 months old, eating less can also indicate he's beginning teething. We often see this temporary loss of appetite in three to four-month-old babies because they've just come off of a growth spurt. Loss of appetite in your baby at two months might also be because of a lull in growth, but it's more likely due to a change in the composition of your breastmilk. There are many reasons infants may be finicky about food. They may be teething, tired, not yet ready for solids, or just don't need as much food as you're feeding them. Maybe he's not actually eating, which explains why he's still hungry even though it seems like he had just eaten. He could also have gas, contributing to even more discomfort as he tries to sleep. Familiar foods provide your baby comfort in stressful, busy times. Although picky eating may linger awhile, it rarely lasts.  During the first 2 weeks, babies will eat on average 1 - 2 oz at a time. By the end of the first month they eat about 4 oz at a time. By 2 months, increase to 6 oz per feed, and by 4 months, about 6-8 oz per feed. By 4 months, most babies are drinking about 32 oz in 24 hrs. While a child may eat a little more when being coerced, the act of being pressured into eating can lead to the development of negative associations with the food, and ultimately dislike and avoidance. Babies burp more often than adults. Once a baby burps, it is a sign that you must not feed him further. In some cases, there is a wet burp i.e, few drops of milk come out of the baby's mouth and it is a very clear indication. When fed too much, a baby may also swallow air, which can produce gas, increase discomfort in the belly, and lead to crying. An overfed baby also may spit up more than usual and have loose stools. Although crying from discomfort is not colic, it can make crying more frequent and more intense in an already colicky baby. Take heart that when sleepy babies feed, they're usually so relaxed that they're less likely to intake extra air. If you find that he isn't fussy, wiggly, or restless at wake-up time, he may not need to burp each time. In short, it's okay to put him to sleep without burping. Babies that are well fed will be active and alert. Although newborns generally sleep 16-18 hours each day, unusual sleepiness may be an indication that your baby is underfed. If your baby is not eating and it's becoming a pattern, he may need more help. If baby is losing or not gaining weight, appears dehydrated, or is regressing to the bottle and not regaining interest in eating food, then it's time to see the doctor.

It's perfectly understandable to worry about your baby choking when they're trying to eat solid foods. It may be reassuring to know that studies show there isn't an increased risk of choking compared to babies who were fed finger foods. Teething biscuits and small pieces of lightly toasted bread are another great starter finger food, since they soften quickly. Just note that some breads can turn gummy and stick in baby's mouth; lightly toast the bread and cut into very small pieces to avoid a choking hazard. Once your baby is a pro at eating soft mashed foods, they may be ready to move on to finger foods around 8 months. They have the dexterity to pick the food up and release it or mash it, and will become more efficient and independent as they master the pincer grip around 9 months. Cut meat and poultry across the grain, and into tiny fingertip-sized pieces. Food pieces should be no larger than one-half inch in any direction. If in doubt, cut food into smaller pieces. We want them to self-feed. Or perhaps lower exposure to the finger foods lead to more choking because the babies hadn't as much practice early on when gag reflex is more sensitive. A good reason to introduce finger foods from the start, whether you use purees or not! Potential Choking Hazards for Young Children: Cooked or raw whole corn kernels. Uncut cherry or grape tomatoes. Pieces of hard raw vegetables or fruit, such as raw carrots or apples. Whole pieces of canned fruit. Uncut grapes, berries, cherries, or melon balls. Uncooked dried vegetables or fruit, such as raisins.   According to a 2008 study, the 10 foods that pose the highest choking hazards for young children are hot dogs, peanuts, carrots, boned chicken, candy, meat, popcorn, fish with bones, sunflower seeds and apples. Children under age 5 are at greatest risk for choking injury and death. Toys, household items and foods can all be a choking hazard. The most common cause of nonfatal choking in young children is food. Warning Signs that Your Infant is Choking: The baby's lips and/or skin turn blue. The baby can't cry or make noise. The baby can't breathe, or has to make an effort to breathe.  The baby appears panicked or troubled, and may wave their arms. The infant loses consciousness or goes limp. Treating children from choking: Stand behind the child.  Make a fist with one hand, thumb side in.  Grab your fist with the other hand. Press into the abdomen with a quick upward push.  Repeat this inward and upward thrust until the piece of food or object comes out. ​​​​​​​ With spoon-feeding purees, there is little concern that the infant will choke on the foods offered. With BLW however, the infant is self-regulating the amount of food they put in their mouths while also learning how much of that food they can safely swallow when self-fed. Contrary to popular opinion, your baby does not need a single tooth in order to eat finger foods, just as long as the food is diced into small enough pieces and is soft enough for his gums to mash. Check out all the best deals with our baby food processor in our store now!

Baby purées can be pricey — it's far cheaper to make your own versions of those same food combinations at home. You know where the ingredients come from. Jarred baby foods will list their ingredients on the label, but you may prefer to buy locally or even prepare vegetables from your own garden. Homemade baby foods will keep for 24 to 48 hours in the refrigerator and for 1 to 2 months in the freezer. For the first 4 to 6 months, breast milk or formula is the only food your baby needs. After that, you can start solid foods when your baby show signs of readiness. At first your little one will keep it simple with just a few teaspoons of a one-ingredient food (like a pureed fruit, veggie, or meat) every day. Babies do not need baby rice to help them move to solid foods or sleep better. When using a bottle, do not put anything (such as sugar or cereals) in it other than breast milk or infant formula.   Once you have proven your child's tolerance to individual foods, you can try combinations to enhance flavor and likeability. Pea purée Banana purée. Often called a “perfect” food, bananas are rich in potassium and fiber Baby brown rice cereal Avocado purée Baked sweet potato purée First carrots purée   Preparing Food:  Wash and peel produce and remove any seeds or pits Cook food until it's very tender Puree or mash fresh fruit or fruit canned in its own juice Make sure the texture and temperature are appropriate Cook eggs, meats and poultry until well done For convenience, freeze prepared baby food for later use   Banana puree can be introduced as solid food anywhere between the age of 4-6 months. As banana doesn't need cooking, you can carry it while travelling and whenever the baby is hungry, just peel mash and feed the baby right away. Bananas are an excellent source of nutrition and make great first foods to babies. “Bananas are mild, mashable and easy to chew. They're loaded with vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium, making them a perfect first fruit for baby,” says Jill Castle, M.S., R.D., childhood nutrition expert and co-author of Fearless Feeding: How to Raise Healthy Eaters From High Chair to High School. Avocado is suitable to start serving your little one from 4-6 months. It can be served pureed, smashed, sliced, or whipped up with banana. We've whipped up some deliciously simple ways to serve avocado for baby. In terms of green veggies, peas are one of the best first baby purees to start with, as they provide interesting texture and taste but aren't bitter. Peas are also high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and protein, making them a great source of many important nutrients for your baby's early development. Meat is a great first food for babies and it can be made into a baby food puree, mashed into a chunky puree, served on the bone, shredded, or served in strips as a finger food or for baby-led weaning. Oatmeal's strong nutritional profile will aid in baby's growth and development. It is recommended for babies to start solid foods when they reach six months of age. Oats are a single grain food that are easy on your baby's digestive system. They help promote fullness and a healthy appetite while preventing gas. You can use a blender in making baby food. A blender will work just fine for this making baby food. Other options can make your job easier or faster, but if you are tight on money and already have a basic blender, that will do just fine.  Here's the quick lowdown on what to feed baby and when: Stage 1: Purees (4 to 6 months). Stage 2: Thicker consistency (6 to 9 months). Stage 3: Soft, chewable chunks (10 to 12 months).

Taste buds are found mostly on the tongue, but also on the roof of the mouth and along the lining of the throat. At birth, babies have about 10,000 taste buds. You'll have between 2,000 and 8,000 taste buds as an adult they get replaced every few weeks. But as you age, some stop working or aren't replaced. The truth is that babies are born with a sense of taste - they actually develop taste buds in the womb. Your baby absorbs the flavors of the mother's food choices during pregnancy through amniotic fluid. And as your baby grows, their sense of taste changes and they can distinguish different flavors. In fact, as a baby they may have a wider distribution of taste buds in their mouth than you do as an adult. Babies who smack their lips in satisfaction at a new flavour make most parents happy. But breast milk or baby formula are the best food for your baby during those first six months. From four to six months onwards, your baby can start tasting regular food.  Taste buds in newborns can be found on the tonsils as well as the usual places like the tongue. During their first three months, your baby can distinguish between sweet and bitter tastes. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal has concluded that the smell of infants triggers a physiological response in mothers similar to that experienced by hungry people presented with a delicious meal.   Most experts suggest not introducing sweets for the first year of your child's life. You want them to develop a taste for other, healthier food items first. But realistically, there are no specific medical guidelines for introducing chocolate to your baby. The American Association for Paediatrics suggests that chocolate should not be given to children before the age of two (1) because it is a source of refined sugar. But it is also best avoided by young children because of its caffeine content. Infants can't process solid foods early on, but they do have taste buds. Infant taste buds develop in the womb, so this statement is FALSE. They can taste things that their mother ingests because it gets into the amniotic fluid around them that they swallow.   A baby's first taste buds appear on their tongue while they're still in the womb. A newborn can taste sweet, sour, bitter, and savory. But a child's taste buds are different from an adult's. Infants and children have a higher concentration of taste buds that are receptive to sweet tastes. Scientists believe this is to make them more receptive to their mother's milk.  

The government recommends all children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day. Babies who are having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day should not be given vitamin supplements. Once your baby is six months old, and up until they are five years, daily vitamin A, C and D supplements are recommended (unless they're having 500ml or more of first infant formula each day). When you buy your baby vitamin supplements, make sure you read the label to check they are age appropriate.  Vitamins A, C and D are recommended because they're important vitamins for your baby's health, but can be hard to get through food alone at this age. Your baby's tummy is simply too tiny for her to eat enough to get all the vitamins A and C she needs, and there are very few foods that contain vitamin D. Although breast milk generally provides excellent nutrition for your baby, it doesn't contain the amount of vitamin D needed for healthy bones and growth. So if you breastfeed your baby, your pediatrician will likely suggest giving your baby vitamin D drops starting shortly after birth.  Infants should get vitamin D drops starting in the first few days of life,” Dr. Liermann says. “It's especially important in breastfed babies because they get minimal, if any, vitamin D from breast milk.” Infant formula contains vitamin D, but it's not enough for younger babies. Because low levels of vitamin D are so common, the American Academy of Pediatrics says all breastfed infants (whether completely or partially). Vitamin D deficiency in children was associated with objectively measured decreased sleep duration and poorer sleep efficiency. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was associated with delayed bedtimes, suggesting that vitamin D and circadian rhythm could be related. Your pediatrician can then determine your child's daily vitamin D requirement. There are risks if kids take in too much vitamin D from supplements and food, including an increased chance of developing kidney stones.  To avoid developing a vitamin D deficiency, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfed and partially breastfed infants be supplemented with 400 IU per day of vitamin D beginning in the first few days of life. The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea and vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination. Vitamin D toxicity might progress to bone pain and kidney problems, such as the formation of calcium stones. Not all babies will need vitamin supplements. In fact, once your baby starts eating solid food, they may be getting more vitamins and minerals.  Before giving your baby any supplements, always consult with the baby's doctor. Not all babies automatically need supplements.