A large part of looking after your baby is making sure that they are fed well and kept healthy. Although this might sound straightforward, a baby’s nutritional needs are not the same as an adult’s or even an older child’s. This means that you will need to pay extra close attention to what your baby eats and what stage of development they are at. Nutrition is one of the fundamental methods of ensuring that your baby grows up healthy and happy. Here are some tips on how to manage your baby’s nutritional health.
Choosing the Best Foods
Unless you are extremely disciplined or grew up with health-conscious parents, chances are you have a few guilty pleasures when it comes to food. This might be something like sugary drinks or greasy fast food. Fortunately for your baby, you can give them the opportunity to avoid these temptations by raising them to enjoy healthier options. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and seeds are excellent ingredients to build a healthy and diverse diet upon. Of course, make sure to only give babies appropriately textured food to prevent the risk of choking.
Breastfeeding
Some parents choose to breastfeed their baby for a few months, while others prefer to wean their child later. Some people don’t breastfeed their children at all. This is a very personal decision, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. It’s up to you to figure out what suits you and your baby best. The formula can be a helpful substitute for breast milk if you don’t breastfeed or are planning to wean your baby onto other sources of nutrition.
Learning Opportunities
Babies are constantly absorbing information from the world around them, and mealtimes can be the perfect opportunity to teach them how to eat independently. Of course, it will take a long time to get them accustomed to the movements required to eat on their own, but you can use special utensils to help them start to feed themselves. Take a look at items from bibado.co.uk for more ideas.
Fussy Eating
Some babies can start to display fussy eating habits. While there are no concrete explanations as to why this might be, there are ways that parents can manage it. Sometimes the reason for fussy eating is knowing that a parent will give in and replace the offending food item with something more preferable. Resist the urge to always indulge your baby’s fussiness. Sometimes your baby is fussy due to the stressful atmosphere and pressure of mealtimes. Try to make these times more relaxed and enjoyable so your baby can learn to see food as pleasurable rather than threatening.
Snacks and Treats
Even when trying to raise your baby to enjoy healthy foods, it’s important to identify their preferences and make the occasional treat. This might be something as simple as a yogurt but whatever it is, make sure it is appropriate for your baby’s developmental stage. Remember the importance of moderation and teach your baby that treats are occasional, not constant.