Baby Feeding Stages - Baby Feeding Stages, Baby Feeding Guide, Baby Feeding Amount, Baby Feeding ScheduleBaby feeding stagesNewborn infants feed solely on liquids and then later move on to solid foods. Baby feeding schedules• A newborn baby should be fed only breast milk or formula. Solid foods should not be introduced till at least 4 months, because the baby’s digestive system is not yet ready for it. Besides, milk alone has the specific nutrients necessary for an infant’s overall growth. • By 6-8 months, you can begin to introduce the first solid foods. These can be baby cereals or cooked and finely mashed/pureed fruits and vegetables like bananas, avocado, sweet potato or butternut squash. The consistency should be smooth and almost liquid, so that baby can swallow it easily, without chewing. Milk/formula still remains the main food, with the solid food being offered only once. • Around 8 to 10 months, you can begin to add more varieties of vegetables and fruits, along with pasta, meats, eggs, cheese and yogurt. Food still needs to be cooked and mashed well. You can now substitute one day feed with a solid meal, but babies till need milk for their other meals. • By 12 months, babies begin to grow their first molars and are ready for more solid foods. They now enjoy chewing, so instead of mashing food finely, you can chop them into small bits. By this age, they are able to appreciate colors, textures and tastes, so you can add experiment with various ‘grown-up’ foods. Baby feeding guide• It is best to introduce a new food in the morning or in the early afternoon. This enables you to monitor any allergic or adverse reaction, and immediately seek help from your doctor. • Eating solid food is a new experience for your baby, who may not want to accept if s/he is too hungry. Do not force the issue and let baby have the usual milk feed. • When you are offering food with a spoon, make sure that baby is sitting upright, in order to prevent choking. • Use a soft spoon which will not injure baby’s tender gums. Some mothers prefer to use their fingers (washed and clean) in the initial stages. • Don’t overwhelm your baby with too much talk and ‘yum-yum’ sounds when feeding. It may over-stimulate them and also take away their attention from the food. Baby's Feeding AmountMost mothers find it difficult to understand what a baby’s feeding amount should be. The best indication is baby’s enthusiasm. If they turn their head away, or if they stop opening their mouth it means they have had enough. Trust their instincts and don’t force feed.
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