Feeding is the important factor to consider in infant’s growth. When it is the time of breastfeeding, you must take the foods that are rich in nutrients. Then, when infant or baby start to take solid foods you have to select the food carefully to assure growth with good health. Here are the nutrition tips for new born that help you in feeding the infant in a better way.
1. Take food rich in protein, calcium and Iron
During breast feeding take food that are rich in these nutrients. Dried beans, lentils, peas, whole-grain products, enriched cereals, dried fruit and dark leafy green vegetables are rich sources of iron. This food when taken with Vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes or sweet bell peppers for easy absorption of iron. For proteins you can take dairy products, plant sources, eggs, nuts, seeds, whole grains meat substitutes and more. For calcium take dark green vegetables and dairy products. These foods when breastfeeding will provide sufficient nutrients to the newborn.
2. Take supplements
Health care expert will recommend you to take Vitamin B-12 supplement in some cases Vitamin D supplements in regular basis. Vitamin B-12 is exclusively found in animal products and is essential for the brain development of your baby.
3. Avoid some foods and drinks
While breastfeeding you should avoid alcohol, more than 2 to 3 cups of caffeine, sea foods rich in mercury and any types of drugs that is harmful to health.
4. Give savoury foods before sweet
Always introduce savoury food like vegetable before introducing the sweet foods. Babies always love sweet food than savoury foods. Hence, you should introduce savoury foods before sweet foods. Newborn baby should get familiar with this food before sweet foods. Savoury options include lentils, mashed veges, pureed meats and beans or lentils.
5. Proper Eating
Sit your baby in the high chair in the dining room table with television switched off. Infants or babies will have short attention and you have to divert complete concentration of your baby to eating. When your baby completes 12 month, make sure to have family meals in social and happy environment.
6. Avoid too much milk
Babies drinking more milk are found to be iron deficient. When they maximum concentrates on milk, babies will not get all the nutrients that they have to get from solid foods. When your baby reaches 9 months, give him or her solid food before milk to limit the intake of milk. This will assure a balance between the nutrients from milk and solid foods.
7. Avoid Bottle
Once your baby reach 12 months, it is better to get rid of bottles and to use toddler cup to prevent the child from over drinking.
8. Drink More Water
Water should be best choice in drinks for all children. Soft drink, fruit juice and cordials rich in sugar should be avoided to children.
9. Involvement of Dad
Research and studies shows that dad have strong influence at the time of children eating. It is a good idea to make the presence of dad at the time of eating. If possible give meal to baby with all the family members round the table.
10. Enjoy Feeding
Your presence of mind and activities when feeding plays a great impact on baby nutrition. Always enjoy the feeding and show complete engagement.
Author bio: Lisa is a new mom who enjoys spending time and feeding her 3 months baby. She use baby cloth diaper for her infant and recommends using to all the new moms due to the health benefits it offers.