Feeding Your Baby The First Year

Of all the things parents worry about, nutrition is perhaps one of the biggest. Proper nutrition and feeding of your baby is one of the very most important things to consider when thinking about her well being. Physical and intellectual growth is dependent on the right vitamins and nutrients.

Having stressed the importance of proper nutrition...you can relax a little. Feeding your baby really isn't difficult if you have the basics down.

Breast Milk or Formula?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends breast feeding as the healthiest food for babies. Studies have shown that babies who breastfeed are admitted to the hospital less, suffer fewer ear infections and cases of diarrhea and rashes, and have fewer allergies than infants who drink formula. Pediatricians recommend breastfeeding for the first year.

Not every mother is able to breastfeed, however. Women with HIV should not breastfeed, as the disease can be transmitted through the milk. Other women suffer from mastitis (infection of the breast) or soreness, and find it too uncomfortable to nurse. Returning to work can be difficult and mothers may need to use a breast pump during the day while they're away from their baby. Sometimes baby formula is necessary.

Baby formula has all the essential nutrients and vitamins needed to promote healthy growth and the American Academy of Family Physicians assures mothers that there's no need to worry when feeding their babies infant formula, or supplementing breast milk with formula. Make sure to follow the mixing directions carefully, and choose a high-quality formula. If your baby seems to be spitting up excessively, you may want to change brands. Work closely with your pediatrician to find the right formula for your infant.

Introducing Solid Food

It's very important not to introduce solid food before your baby is ready. Solid foods can wreak havoc on an immature digestive system and both of you could be in for a long night of constipation or tummy trouble if you are too eager. There has also been some research that suggests that babies who are introduced to solid food too early can develop food allergies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that babies be introduced to solid foods at six months, though some pediatricians recommend rice or oatmeal cereal as young as four months.

Start slowly, with only a tablespoon or so of the new food you are introducing. Introduce one food at a time so that if your baby does have an allergy, you'll be able to identify which food is the cause. It's best to wait four days between each new food.

If your baby pushes the food right back out of his mouth, he's probably not ready for solids yet. Give him a week or so, then try again.

Start with bland, easy-to-digest foods first, moving on to other foods slowly and only as your baby is ready. Here's a general guide:

Six months:

Rice or Oatmeal cereal (these are the most easily digested grains). They should be mixed with breast milk or infant formula.

1. Pureed:


2. Apples


3. Bananas


4. Pears


5. Avocado


6. Sweet Potatoes


7. Squash


8. Green Beans

8 - 10 months

Depending on your baby's co-ordination, you'll want to introduce finger foods. In addition to the breast milk or infant formula, you can also introduce the following:

1. Soft breads and muffins


2. Pasta


3. Cheese


4. Yogurt


5. Raw, ripe fruit


6. Soft, cooked veggies


7. Eggs


8. Beans


9. Crackers


10. Melon


11. Cottage cheese


12. Lean beef, pork or chicken

Make sure to avoid foods that pose choking hazards such as popcorn, nuts and firm non-ripe fruits. Always supervise your baby while she's eating. And never give raw honey to a child under one year old.

Work closely with your doctor

It's important to work as a team with your baby's pediatrician when choosing what she should eat and when. Don't ever hesitate to ask for advice, and follow recommendations.