Baby Feeding Menu in a Gist: What Food Should My Baby Be Eating Each Month?
Zero To Six Months
A newborn should consume only breast milk or formula during the first few months of life (unless the paediatrician indicates otherwise).
Six months
Veggies, fruits, milk (breast or formula-fed), gluten-free cereals A six-month-old baby’s sample menu.
Seven Months
Milk (breast or formula), gluten-containing cereals, fruits and vegetables, white meat and fish, and mild beans. A 7-month-old baby’s sample menu.
Eight Months
The range of fruits, vegetables, white meats, and fish may still be expanded. Additionally, veal, eggs, and skin-on beans are often included.
Nine Months
Increase the diversity of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Attempt blue fish, for instance.
Ten Months
You may start consuming dairy items from cow’s milk, such as fresh cheese or natural yoghurt.
Eleven Months
You may start consuming dairy items from cow’s milk, such as fresh cheese or natural yoghurt.
Twelve Months
Any food is OK, including dairy products like cheese and milk from cows. It’s time to quit giving your infant formula milk and switch to whole cow’s milk instead. It is nevertheless advised to stay away from meals that might cause choking.
How Can I Tell Whether My Baby Is Getting Enough To Eat?
Many new parents fear that their infants aren’t eating enough.
When you notice the following things, babies are eating enough:
- They seem to be content.
- Daily, six to eight wet diapers.
- Possess consistent bowel motions (poop)
- They get good rest.
- Aware and awake
- Weight gain (very slight visibly but instant)
Your baby may not receive enough to eat if he is unhappy, cries, seems hungry, doesn’t seem satisfied after feeding, and has fewer wet diapers. Call your doctor if you’re worried your child isn’t eating enough.
Newborns shouldn’t vomit after feedings, yet most babies spit up a tiny quantity of milk after or during burping. If you throw up right after every meal, you could have an allergy, a digestive issue, or another issue that needs medical treatment. Call the doctor if you think your kid is spitting up too much.
Best Baby Food for Best Nutrition and Growth:
Fruit porridge:
At this age, the baby can eat any fruits, which may be blended into a smooth puree or boiled until the fruit is soft enough for the kid to chew with their gums;
Soups:
The baby must consume the mashed, cooked food separately before adding it to the soup so that the parents can determine if the food is well-tolerated and does not trigger allergies. Ideally, soups should be served around lunchtime and include two or three meals, such as potatoes or rice, carrots, and pumpkin. After three to six days, a fourth vegetable may be added. To help the infant get used to the taste of vegetables, the initial soups may be served without animal protein. However, it’s vital to add protein to the soup later by using white meat, lean fish, or eggs, all of which must be well cooked and mashed.
Legumes
Legumes like beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas may also be included in the baby’s diet, but they must be thoroughly mashed;
Yoghourt:
Natural yoghurt, which is a simple meal to digest and benefits the health of the baby’s intestines, may also be a part of the baby’s diet at six months old and can be given to him at lunch;
Pureed vegetables:
Vegetable puree and adequately cooked and mashed vegetables, such as pumpkin, potato, carrot, and sweet potato, may be included in the baby’s diet. The infant can feel the texture of the meal and eat with his hands or a spoon when he is old enough to use one, thanks to the vegetable puree;
Cereal Porridge:
Generally, baby feeding should only be done with natural meals like fruits and vegetables. Cereal porridge, which may be made with breast milk, formula milk, or water, may be necessary for certain infants to aid their growth.
What Should Be Avoided While Baby Feeding?
Before the age of 2, a baby’s palette is still growing, and they may get used to eating sweets, sugary meals, fried foods, soft beverages, pasteurised or powdered juices, processed goods, and highly seasoned sauces. It is impossible to resist consuming it due to the sweetness of the flavour. Due to this, some foods, such as milk with chocolate, chocolate, covered or filled desserts, and industrialised or powdered juices, should not be consumed by children.
Should you feed water to the baby within the first six months?
To prevent the infant from dehydrating, many parents also wonder if they should offer them water. It is unnecessary since breast milk has the greatest water content at 88 percent and provides all the water with a newborn needs for the first six months of life. During these first six months, a baby’s risk of gastrointestinal illnesses like gastroenteritis, colitis, or other ailments increases if they consume water or other liquids.
Additionally, water is a nutrient-free liquid, and a baby’s stomach is tiny, so he would feel satisfied and uninterested in breast- or bottle-feeding, spacing out meals and resulting in weight loss and bad nutrition.
How to introduce new meals
- Slowly. Every time a new meal is introduced, it is given in modest quantities progressively raised over time.
- Always wait a few days before introducing a new meal to the infant to observe their response and quickly identify any potential allergies.
- Let them explore. We explain the meal to him and let him know what we will be giving him. Allowing him to feel, touch, taste, and smell will activate all of his senses.
- When your baby first tries a spoon, they could make faces, but don’t interpret this as a rejection—it might simply be amazement at all the new stuff! Continue speaking kindly to him and giving him 1 or 2 spoons.
- Never exert pressure. Respect their refusal if they refuse to eat the puree or cereal you have offered them. Offer the same food again a few days later without hesitation. You’ll likely get used to and prefer the new meal over time.
