Balanced Diet For An Infant

According to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Diets," infants are children younger than 1. Because an infant changes so much between birth and his first birthday, growing rapidly and reaching many developmental milestones, a nutritional diet is imperative to his physical and mental health. A balanced diet for an infant is not the same as a balanced diet for an adult because an infant's needs are different.

The First Six Months

Medline Plus, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, recommends breast milk or infant formula as a baby's only dietary need during the first four months of life. Some babies might be ready to start simple foods between 4 and 6 months, such as thin rice cereal, introduced in very small amounts at the rate of no more than one new baby cereal per week.

Six to 12 Months

By the time your little one is between 6 and 8 months old, you may introduce strained baby fruits and vegetables, but continue giving your baby breast milk or formula. Infants older than 8 months might be ready to start eating finely ground unseasoned meats and cooked egg yolks. At 1 year, most babies are ready to switch from formula to whole milk, if they are eating a variety of foods.

Breast Milk Benefits

Breast milk contains exactly what a newborn needs, according to the Gale Encyclopedia. Nursing your infant might increase his immunity to an infection by passing on your immunity to him. Breastfed infants are less likely to be overweight, and they might be less likely to develop diabetes later in life. Babies who receive breast milk are also less likely to develop asthma, celiac disease, allergies and inflammatory bowel disorders, reports the Gale Encyclopedia.

Formula

Commercial infant formulas might not be as perfect for an infant as breast milk, but they offer all the nutrition a baby needs to grow and be healthy, states the Gale Encyclopedia. The Food and Drug Administration carefully oversees the manufacture of infant formula and regulates nutrient content, including calcium, vitamins A, E, K, D and iron. Follow feeding instruction on the formula package, or contact your pediatrician for advice if your baby eats less or wants more than is suggested for his age.

Considerations

Some foods are inappropriate for an infant, including honey, which might contain botulism spores, according to Medline Plus. Avoid making homemade formula, advises the Gale Encyclopedia, because it is unlikely to meet the nutritional guidelines set by the FDA. In addition, infants younger than 6 months might not tolerate plain cow's milk or citrus juices. Do not feed your infant nuts, popcorn, raw carrots, grapes, raisins or other small food items that pose a choking hazard.