As your baby gets older, he will need less breast milk or formula and more nutritious table foods. Many babies eat several snacks a day because their tummies are too small to eat large meals. Snacks for your baby should consist of healthy foods that provide the nutrients your little one needs to grow healthy and strong. Healthy Children reports that your baby needs about 1,000 calories a day, and snacks can help fulfill that requirement and provide important vitamins and minerals.
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables that have been canned are often very soft and allow your baby to gum her food while also getting important nutrients. Look for canned fruits and vegetables that do not contain added salt or sugar, which will decrease the nutrition of your baby's snack. Peaches, pears, pineapple, green beans and carrots are all healthy options that supply vitamin C, vitamin A and fiber. Chop the snack into small pieces so it does not pose a choking hazard to your baby.
Breakfast Cereal
Many varieties of breakfast cereal come in pieces that are small enough for your baby as he learns to feed himself and adjust to eating solid foods. Choose a dry cereal that lists whole grains as one of the first ingredients, which will provide a good amount of fiber to your baby. Select one that is also low in sugar. Many cereals are fortified with nutrients, such as iron and vitamin D, in which many babies are deficient, and these make healthy snacks as well.
Cottage Cheese with Fruit
Your baby needs plenty of calcium for strong bones and protein for healthy muscles, and cottage cheese is a nutritious snack that provides both of these important nutrients. Offer your baby a large curd variety so he is able to pick it up more easily and feed it to himself, suggests KidsHealth. Small chunks of fruit can be added to cottage cheese to increase your baby's intake of vitamins and minerals such as potassium and vitamin C. Ripe bananas and finely chopped berries or melon are all healthy choices.
Whole-Wheat Bread
Serving your baby whole-wheat bread for a snack will increase her intake of B vitamins, iron and fiber. If your baby likes the taste, offer her a plain piece of bread that you have broken into tiny pieces. Toast the bread and add a small amount of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon before breaking it into pieces as another taste your little one may enjoy. Whole-wheat bagels or English muffins are additional options that provide similar nutrients to your baby.
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