Whether you breast-feed or bottle feed your baby, it's important to know the important milestones that will take place in the first year of life. Babies' tummies go through dramatic changes in a short amount of time, and the type of food they receive will have a significant impact on their overall health and wellness. Introducing some foods at the wrong time can even contribute to food allergies later in life.
First Foods
Most babies are ready to start receiving food at six months, although you can start solids as early as 4. You'll know your baby is ready to start solids when she starts to grab for your food and can hold her head up without support. The tongue thrust reflex also begins to disappear around this time, which is another reason it's the best time to introduce new foods. To begin, feed your baby foods that are easy to digest, such as rice cereal or soft fruits like bananas. Take it slow and always allow a few days before introducing more foods in order to isolate the cause of any negative reactions.
Adding Variety
Once your baby is used to solid foods and has a few teeth, you can start to introduce foods that have different tastes and textures. Between the ages of 6 and 9 months, let your baby experience new textures by pureeing meat, which will also help prevent iron deficiency. Keep in mind that babies don't have large stomachs, so they may only eat a tablespoon of food per feeding. If your baby doesn't like a new food, give it some time and then try feeding it to her again. You can also mix it with other foods she does like or a bit of breast milk or formula.
Self Feeding
Once babies are about 9 months, they're ready to start self feeding. At this stage, it's important to avoid foods that babies may choke on, such as raw vegetables, popcorn, whole grapes and hot dogs. Opt for safer choices such as dry cereals, teething cookies and soft fruits and vegetables. Dr. Sears recommends giving older babies a chicken bone with the smaller bones and fibers removed and a bit of meat left on it to let baby play and maybe even get some added protein.
Hydration
Towards the end of your baby's first year, you might be thinking about weaning her off breast milk or formula. As noted by BBC Health, water is the best hydration choice for babies under 1 years old. Don't introduce cow's milk before your baby turns 1 because it's hard to digest and may even cause milk allergies if introduced too soon. Milk can also contribute to iron deficiency anemia in babies as well as toddlers, since calcium inhibits iron absorption. Dilute juices with water and avoid products with added sugars to prevent tooth decay.
