Brain development is a crucial component of overall health and well-being for babies. According to William Sears and Martha Sears, authors of The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby---From Birth to Age Two, the foods a baby eats will affect how well the brain is able to develop and grow. When healthy foods are offered to baby it will translate to a healthier brain. Parents have many options when choosing foods that are beneficial to infant brain development.
Breast Milk or Formula
Breast milk, formula, or a combination of the two is the first source of nutrition for a baby. Kids Health reports that breast milk and formula are the perfect foods to meet the nutritional needs of babies as their brain grows and develops. Breast milk is considered a perfect food for baby because it naturally contains all the nutrients, minerals and fat an infant needs to develop. Formula also contains the nutrients, minerals and fat a baby needs, says Kids Health. Offering plenty of breast milk or formula to baby will result in sufficient consumption of nutrition necessary for proper brain development.
Healthy Fats
According to Healthy Children, there should be no fat restrictions on babies during the first two years of life because fats are crucial for proper brain development. Approximately half of a baby's food should be in the form of good fats, says Healthy Children. Dr. William Sears recommends that parents feed their babies foods rich in omega-3s and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In the first months of life babies will get enough healthy fats from breast milk or formula. As solid food is introduced, Dr. Sears indicates that salmon and other fatty fish are good choices. Avocados, vegetable oils, and flax are three other recommendations from Dr. Sears. Meat, eggs, and full-fat dairy products are foods that provide healthy fats as well.
Protein
Protein foods are grow foods, says Dr. Sears, and infants need sufficient amounts of protein in their diets to encourage proper brain development. Breast milk or formula provide adequate amounts of protein in the first months of life. As solid foods are introduced, babies can consume foods high in protein to help encourage brain development. Dr. Sears recommends including dairy products such as milk, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt in baby's diet because most children like the taste. Other good sources of protein include seafood, poultry, meat, whole grains, legumes, eggs and nut butters. Proteins are responsible for the growth, repair, and replacement of tissue, including brain tissue, and Dr. Sears encourages parents to ensure that their baby eats plenty of protein.
References
- "The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby--From Birth to Age Two"; William Sears and Martha Sears; 2003
- Kids Health: Breastfeeding versus Formula Feeding
- Healthy Children: Dietary Fat and Toddlers
