What To Feed Babies At A Certain Age?
There are particular foods that babies should or should not eat, and there are also many concerns when it comes to childhood nutrition. The two significant matters on childhood nutrition are the lack of iron (causes anemia) and calcium (for milk displacement) intake. In this light, let's take a look at what babies should or should not eat!
FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
4-6 months
At 4-6 months, introducing different but simple foods is recommended, such as puréed meat, vegetables, and fruits.
6-8 months
Babies of 6-8 months have the same puréed foods (meat, vegetables, fruits) like babies of 4-6 months. However, it would be good to introduce puréed legumes and more complex foods such as iron-fortified cereals and small amounts of unsweetened yogurt. Fortified cereals and yogurt can be the solution to iron and calcium deficiency in children. Remember to choose unsweetened yogurt as sugar is not suitable for babies.
8-10 months
At this age, Mothers can spice things up a little. You can start feeding small quantities of pasteurized cheese and unsweetened yogurt to your babies. Introduce finger foods, such as scrambled eggs, fortified cereal, small pieces of bagel. Proteins are essential for growth and development, and thus, meat, tofu, beans, and fish would be suitable.
10-12 months
Mothers can continue feeding foods similar to diets for 6-8-month-old babies but can introduce combo foods such as mac and cheese. Make the meal colorful and fun so that the little ones will develop an appetite and eat well. Instead of puréeing food, Mothers can mash the fruits or cut them into small cubes for the kids to enjoy. Again, iron-fortified cereals are a good recommendation for kids to prevent deficiency.
These are some recommended foods for babies:
Avocado - The most similar to that of breast milk, avocados are rich in unsaturated fats, which is vital for the development of the brain.
Broccoli - This vegetable contains lots of nutrients such as folate, fiber, and calcium. It can maybe ward off cancer. Introducing it very early to babies can be helpful as it has a strong flavor.
Meat - Meat is rich in protein, zinc, and iron. Also, meats are more iron-absorbent than iron-fortified cereals. Thus, it can be a better alternative to the latter. Food for thought!
Sweet potato - Because of the sweetness and smooth texture, sweet potatoes might be one of the most popular foods for babies. Not only that, sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and minerals (iron and copper).
FOOD TO AVOID
Honey - Honey promotes Botulin in babies, which secretes toxins that cause muscle weakness and underdevelopment, constipation, and even paralysis in infants. Although it might be alright in small amounts, introduce honey after the baby turns one.
Nuts - Not only due to the texture, but nuts are also common allergens. Introduce nuts only when your baby turns at least six months old.
Cow's milk - Babies should only be fed breast milk or formula milk for the first year. Cow's milk is not fitting for a child at that age as they cannot digest its enzymes. Some minerals contained in cow's milk can affect the kidneys.
Fruit juices - should be introduced on after one year as juices can contribute to dental cavities. Remember to pick 100% fruit juices!
Wheat - Similarly to nuts, wheat contains allergens. Introduce wheat/rice to babies only when they turn one or older. Alternatively, if your baby is clear of wheat allergy by a pediatrician, you can try introducing wheat at 8-9 months.
SINGAPORE SPECIAL!
As you know, Bird's Nest is very popular in Singapore. You can see them advertised everywhere by top PSLE scorers. Have you ever wondered if you can feed it to your baby? Guess no more! Bird's Nest is healthy for both mothers and children:
Promotes intellectual development
Bird's Nest contains sialic acid, which is also an essential part of the Mother's colostrum. Sialic acid helps with long term brain development, encouraging progressive thinking and memory.
Replenish all trace minerals needed in the body
It is not easy to consume food to meet the body's needs completely. Instead of taking in too much for nutrients, Bird's Nest, being high in protein, carbohydrates, and trace minerals, can replenish what the body needs.
High in calcium (essential in children for growth)
Bird's Nest contains ready-to-absorb calcium, which is best for children's' bodies. Calcium helps with long-term growth and development.
On a side note, we are proud to introduce Little Coming Soon's new partnership with Happy Nest SG! Happy Nest sells 100% pure Bird's Nest at a very affordable price with free delivery. You can check them out at @happynestsg on Instagram! Hopefully, this article has help
ed you understand the "should" and "should not" of foods for babies. Till next time!
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