Welcoming your baby to the world of baby food is an exciting milestone. It's filled with opportunities to explore new flavours and textures and marks a milestone in their growth. Oh, and you get to play chef, nutritionist, and taste tester all at once.
Feeding your baby is not just about nutrition; it's a time to bond and nurture. Learning how to feed involves gentle techniques, feeding positions, and choosing the right foods.
As your baby grows, transitioning to solids complements the baby's milk-feeding routine. Let’s explore these stages together.
Choosing the right feeding position is crucial for your baby’s comfort and safety as it not only ensures a better feeding experience but also reduces the risk of choking or gas.
Introducing nutrient-rich foods early builds a strong foundation for your baby’s overall health, growth, and development.
Iron is essential for your baby’s brain development and to prevent anaemia. You can consider the following.
Calcium is needed to develop strong bones and teeth, especially during teething. Including calcium-rich foods in your baby’s diet supports healthy growth.
Protein supports muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth in babies. A protein-rich diet ensures your baby meets their developmental milestones.
Food allergies can occur when the baby's immune system reacts to certain foods such as cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, soy etc. This could impact their comfort and health.
Common food allergy symptoms in babies include:
The transition to solid foods safely involves offering age-appropriate foods, introducing one food at a time, and closely monitoring for any signs of allergies.
Introducing solid food to your baby is an exciting milestone for parents. Here are some signs your baby might be ready for it.
Traditional weaning foods in India often involve time-tested foods like rice porridge, khichdi, idli, and suji halwa, which are gentle on the stomach and packed with nutrients.
Instead of parents feeding traditional purees, this method lets babies self-feed soft foods such as steamed vegetables or fruits. It promotes independence and sensory exploration.
Gagging is a natural reflex to prevent choking as babies learn to eat. Choking, however, is a medical emergency caused by a blocked airway, requiring immediate medical attention.
Top tips for feeding your baby
Baby’s routine
Try building a daily schedule for your baby's feeding, napping, and bath times.
Newborn care
Give your baby a warm bath to help relax their bowels.
Portion size
When your baby starts eating, feed small portions and encourage them to chew their food.
Vaccine shots
Try distracting your baby with a toy, song or breastfeeding during their vaccine shot.
Develop immunity
Discuss routine care & immunisations with your pediatrician to build your baby’s immunity
FAQs
Breast milk or formula is the best food for your baby in the early months, providing essential nutrients for growth and immunity.
The ideal baby foods to start with are single-grain cereals, mashed bananas, or steamed carrots. These are easy to digest and provide a balance of nutrients.
The five main types of baby food include cereals, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy. They offer a range of benefits, including energy, growth and development.
Stage 1 baby foods are smooth, single-ingredient purees designed for babies just starting on solids.
Bananas are one of the best fruits to introduce to your baby as their first food due to their soft texture, natural sweetness, and easy digestibility.
