Baby Feeding is an exciting journey, but it could sometimes be overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. Besides having to choose from so many different options of baby food and mealtime gear, there could also be many opinions from other people about when, how much, and what you should feed your child.
At the end of the day, all you could ever want is a happy and healthy baby – as for the nitty-gritty of baby feeding, here's all you need to know to get started.
0-6 Months
Breastmilk
For the first six months of a baby's life, it is best to feed only milk. Breast Milk is the best baby milk option for babies, as it is made with all the nutrients that your child could need, from antibodies, enzymes, brain-boosting fatty acids, and many more. These nutrients help babies develop and grow properly, and it also fights off diseases and infections.
Some moms opt to supplement direct latching with pumping, especially those who have to work or would like to build a stash for emergency or future use.
Most pediatricians suggest you "feed on-demand," or whenever your baby asks for milk. However, if you would like to follow a schedule, here are the appropriate amounts of milk your little one should be getting in the first few months of life:
- Newborn to 1 month: 8 to 12 feedings a day
- 1-2 months: 7 to 9 feedings a day
- 3-6 months: 6 to 8 feedings a day
- 6 months +: around 6 feedings a day
- 12 months +: around 4 feedings a day on top of eating solids
What to Use
Formula Milk
Sometimes, breastfeeding isn't possible due to some issues or concerns, and that's completely okay! There is no reason to feel sad or guilty about not being able to breastfeed your child. While breast milk is ideal, formula-fed babies do very well and are just as capable of growing up the same way as breastfed babies.
Of course, we want nothing but the best for our children. Consult your pediatrician about the best formula milk for your baby before trying them out.
Here is a sample feeding chart for your little one until six months, but please run your planned schedule with your pediatrician to be sure:
- Newborn to 1 month: 2 to 3 ounces (60-90 mL) per feeding every three to four hours
- 2-5 months: at least 4 ounces (120 mL) per feeding every four hours
- 6 months +: 6 to 8 ounces (180-240mL) each feeding (four/five feedings in a day) on top of eating solids
What to Use
Once your baby reaches six months, there are a couple of things to look out for before giving solids. Here are a couple of signs that your baby is ready to eat:
- They can sit up and hold their head up
- They are curious whenever they see someone else eating
- They seem to still be hungry even after drinking milk (eight to 10 feedings a day or about 32 ounces of formula milk)
6-9 Months
Preparing Your Baby for Food
Your little one passed all the signs, and you've gotten the signal from your pediatrician – what's next? Babies under the age of one should still be supplemented with milk even after they begin eating.
Introduce solids slowly, and refrain from switching up the food variants too quickly to watch for allergies. In the first few weeks of eating, feed your little two meals a day with two to four tablespoons of food per serving. Once they get accustomed to eating and show interest in mealtime, start feeding them routinely (breakfast, lunch, and dinner.)
When starting your baby's mealtime journey, there are two types of feeding currently being used by moms worldwide: baby-led weaning and traditional weaning. It is entirely up to you which one you would like to try out, or you can even do a mix of both.
What to Eat
At six months, the earliest solids to be given to babies should be "liquid" in texture. Puréed fruits such as avocado, banana, and blueberry and vegetables such as peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and spinach are some options you can begin with. You can also add baby cereals to the mix, and you're left with a meal packed with nutrients!
On top of blended fruits and vegetables, there is also a wide variety of ready-made baby food available that you can choose from.
What to Use
Introducing food to your little one for the first time could end up being a messy affair. Luckily for us parents, there are many things available in the market that make our lives easier nowadays. Here are some helpful tools you might find helpful in starting your baby's mealtime journey:
9-12 Months
Feeding a Teething Baby
By this time, your baby's first teeth might start to appear. As most babies develop teeth between 6 to 12 months, it is important to ease discomfort by providing them with teethers that massage their sore gums and soothe teething pain.
After eating for about three months now, your little one's stomach has already adjusted to eating solids. So now, you can introduce chunkier purées and mashed food. It is also the best time to introduce dairy into their diet by adding a bit of cheese or yogurt to their food, or even some more complex combinations such as meat, bread, and noodles, finely minced or softened.
What to Eat
Now that your little one is enjoying his eating journey, you may start to create complex mixes for him to get accustomed to different flavors. There are many baby food mixtures you can do. Still, some crowd-favorite combinations include fruit and greek yogurt purées, quinoa banana mash, mixed fruit purées, steamed meat, and the brain-boosting mix of fish fillet, carrots, and leeks.
By now, your baby will also get to appreciate simple finger food, such as steamed vegetables, soft fruit, eggs, pieces of bread, noodles, and small amounts of chicken or fish cut into small pieces. Introducing baby cereals are also best at this time, as they get to practice how to grasp one piece at a time.
What to Use
By now, babies are more excited about mealtime. This means eating more and transitioning to bigger plates and utensils and spending more time sitting on their chairs. As you begin to mix more ingredients together, your baby food maker will also come in handy. Here are some other useful things you might need as your baby transitions to eating more solid food:
12 Months & Beyond
Feeding your Curious Little One
At the 12-month mark, your little child is adapting to many things. By now, they are busy growing and discovering, and it's essential for them to get all the nutrients they need from the food they eat. As they learn to be more independent and understand the difference between hunger and fullness, it is essential to be consistent in offering them food.
At 12 months, toddlers need around 1000 calories, 700 mg of calcium, 600 IU of vitamin D, and 7 mg of iron each day to support their proper growth. Aside from milk and vitamins, they can get what they need through the food you choose to feed.
What to Eat
Your toddler has many options on what to eat now than when they first started eating six months ago. They've now mastered the pincer grasp, which means pinching and moving food around with their fingertips as they feed themselves.
Fresh fruits such as sliced bananas, strawberries, peaches, and mangoes are good options to provide them with nutrients. You may also start introducing yogurt and cow's milk to them if you plan to slowly wean them off breastmilk or formula milk. These are excellent sources of calcium and protein, which benefit their bones and developing teeth.
Your toddler won't get to master the jaw-grinding motion of proper chewing until they're about four years old, so it's important to continue mashing or cutting up their food into small pieces for them to chew it easily. You can give them oatmeal, whole grain pancakes, eggs, portions of meat, rice, and steamed vegetables as these are powerhouse foods that help your child grow.
What to Use
Your little one is starting to exert independence now as they begin learning how to do things independently. As you both navigate this period of growth and change, here are some helpful tools that you can use:
• Bowls
While it could be a lot to take in, mealtime should be a fun time for you and your little one. It's a special time for you two to bond, and it's a time when many special memories are made.
Just keep in mind that new food should be introduced in small amounts and one at a time. Watch for any adverse reactions and stop feeding if you observe any signs of allergy or intolerance.
Remember that it may take your child a couple of days before they're used to certain types of food, so take it easy, be patient with them, and enjoy the ride!