Making sure that your child receives proper nutrition is one of the most important roles you play as a parent. Proper nutrition through vitamins, minerals, protein and fat helps protect your baby from disease and helps to keep her healthy throughout her childhood and beyond. Because every baby and toddler has her own nutritional needs, it is essential that you take your child to the doctor for regular checkups.
Nutrition for Infants
Up until your infant is 4 to 6 months old, he needs only breast milk, formula or a combination of the two. He should continue to have breast milk or formula until he is 1 year old. When he is 4 to 6 months, start introducing solid foods such as fortified cereal, strained fruits and vegetables, and pureed meats. Because some parents are concerned about childhood obesity, they want to limit the amount of fat they give their infants. This is a mistake, according to Dr. Jennifer Shu of the Children's Medical Group in Atlanta and according to the American Dietetic Association. Babies need fat for brain and nerve development.
How Much to Feed
Newborn babies up to age 3 months should have 18 to 32 oz. of breast milk or formula. Never give cow's milk to a baby until she is at least 1 year. Babies between 4 and 6 months should have 28 to 40 oz. of breast milk or formula. At this time, offer 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rice cereal and pureed fruit. Babies between 7 and 9 months should have 24 to 36 oz. of breast milk or formula. Offer a 1/2 cup serving of mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, muffins, rolls or crackers and up to 1 cup of pureed fruits or mashed bananas. Also offer 1 to 2 tbsp. of pureed meat, fish, beans, peanut butter or eggs. Babies who are 10 to 12 months should have between 18 and 30 oz. of breast milk or formula. Increase the amount of cereals and starches to three to four 1/2 cup servings. Offer one or two 1-cup servings of fruit and 1/2 cup of fruit juice. Increase proteins to 1/2 cup. Introduce new foods one item at a time, waiting two days before introducing another new food to determine whether your baby can tolerate it.
Nutrition for Toddlers
Toddlers need 1,000 to 1,400 calories a day. However, toddlers might refuse certain foods and on some days eat practically no food at all, while eating a lot another day. This is normal, according to Dr. Loraine Stern of the UCLA School of Medicine. Continue to offer healthy food; don't force your toddler to eat. Eventually he will get the nutrients he needs. Generally, toddlers need between 3 and 5 oz. of whole grains, 1 cup of fruit, 1 cup of vegetables, 2 to 4 oz. of meat and beans, and 2 cups of milk.
Most Important Foods for Toddlers
Encourage your toddler to eat foods that contain calcium and fiber. Calcium builds strong bones. Offer milk, or if your child cannot tolerate milk, offer soy milk, calcium-fortified cereal and calcium-fortified orange juice. Your doctor may recommend calcium supplements if your toddler is not getting enough calcium. Your toddler may insist on having only chicken nuggets and French fries, but encourage him to eat fruit, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Besides the nutrients he gets from these foods, the fiber they contain helps prevent your toddler from becoming constipated.
