Solid foods are a must for your baby’s healthy diet now that he or she is six months old.
Between 4 and 6 month old, most infants are ready to start eating solids as a complement to formula or breast milk.
We have some great advice to help you calm down before you panic. This includes how to feed your baby a healthy, balanced diet, deal with picky eaters, and (most importantly) take the time to appreciate this fun, exciting, and often hilarious stage of their development.
Remember that the first few months of solids are not just about nutrition, but also about exploring.
Expose your baby to different tastes in order to encourage a wider range of food preferences later on in life. If your baby refuses to eat some or all of the food options, it’s perfectly fine. It’s your job to choose what to serve, but it’s baby who decides how much and if they want to eat. You can expect your baby to change his mind after being exposed to foods he dislikes repeatedly. So don’t stop introducing them to him just because he turns up his nose. My little one changes his mind on a daily basis about what he wants to eat. It is foolish to try to predict what food your child will like.
You’re convinced that scurvy will occur because your baby hasn’t eaten a vegetable for days?
Do not be afraid! Fear not!
Consider the overall picture when planning your baby’s diet.
Even if your baby goes a whole week without eating any greens, there are still many ways to ensure that he or she gets the essential vitamins and nutrients for a healthy development. Healthy eating is not just about drinking kale and broccoli smoothies. Baby’s favorite foods contain fiber, fats, proteins, calcium, folate and vitamins A,C andK. These nutrients are vital for baby’s wellbeing. It’s true… fruits are just as healthy and nutritious as vegetables. Although they may contain more sugar than vegetables, this is nothing compared to the sugary drinks and snacks. Fruits may not be as nutritious as other vegetables, but, as the proverb says, “a fruit in your mouth is worth more than two vegetables on a plate.”
Still concerned that your child is missing something important?
Tell that annoying mommy guilt to get out of the way! Check out our handy nutrition checklist. You are probably doing much better than you thought.
- Avoid giving your child too much sugary juices and drinks. This may cause your child to lose interest in healthier options.
- Plan your baby’s food and snacks to be served every 2 to 3 hours. This will help to prevent hunger (and crankiness! ).
- If your baby is old enough or you’re trying baby-led feeding, offer him a variety of foods, including whole grains, vegetables (sweet potatoes, spinach), fruits (blueberries and bananas), and proteins (chicken, boneless fish–or, if he is vegetarian, a selection of beans). You can make it easy for your baby by offering them foods that are the colors of a rainbow. This will ensure that your baby gets a wide variety of nutrients, while also enjoying a vibrant display of colors.
- Don’t push the issue if baby doesn’t seem to be interested after being given two or three choices. It’s fine if your baby refuses to eat the entire meal. Continue the feeding session as normal and continue where you left off the previous time.
- Avoid eating foods that you wouldn’t want your baby to consume. We know this is a difficult one! However, if you eat the food yourself and restrict it from your baby, this sends mixed messages to baby. This may lead them to prefer that particular food later on in life. You can model healthy eating habits in front of your children. If you simply cannot resist, sneak a bite of the chocolate chip cookie behind the fridge door. Just kidding. Just kidding.
- Stop feeding your child as soon as he or she loses interest. You may spend most of the day at the table if you don’t.
Feeding your baby doesn’t need to take up your entire day. You can’t change the fact that your baby will eat only when he is ready. We wish you luck in your baby’s food adventures!
