Breast milk or formula will be your baby's source of nutrition for the first few months of life, reports the Kids Health website. In the coming months, your baby will begin eating solid foods in addition to breast milk or formula. Understanding the importance of the feeding process will ensure that your baby is healthy, strong and able to continue growing.
Breast Milk or Formula
Breast milk or formula should be the only source of food your baby receives for the first four to six months, according to the Healthy Children website. Breast milk and formula contain all of the vitamins, minerals and fat your baby needs. Breast milk or formula will continue to be an important part of your baby's diet until she reaches her first birthday. You are encouraged to feed your baby when she is hungry and to pay attention to her signals that tell you she is full. If your baby cries after feeding, you may want to try feeding her a little more. If she falls asleep before finishing her bottle or nursing on the second breast, you may consider feeding her a little less. During the first month of life, your baby will eat eight to 12 times per day, and as she gets older, paying attention to her cues will ensure that she is still getting enough to eat.
Solid Foods
Your baby will begin to require more energy between the ages of 4 and 6 months, and Healthy Children reports that you can begin introducing solid foods around this time. You can start your baby on any solid food, including grain cereals, fruits or vegetables. Pureed meat is another option, but Healthy Children recommends speaking with your baby's pediatrician before feeding her meat. Infant cereal is the traditional choice because it contains many nutrients your baby needs and can be mixed with breast milk or formula. Healthy Children recommends giving your baby one new food at a time and then waiting two or three days before introducing another one so that you can identify any foods that cause a reaction.
Table Foods
As your baby grows, she will want to eat with the rest of her family and will likely want to eat what everyone else is eating, says Healthy Children. According to the Kids Health, your baby will be able to enjoy table foods around 9 months of age. Offer a variety of foods, as long as they are cut into small pieces. At this age, your baby will begin eating balanced meals from the same food groups as the rest of the family. She should be eating plenty of meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy products. Healthy Children recommends feeding your baby what everyone is eating, as long as it is properly cooled and is not too spicy or salty.
