It is very critical for babies to eat adult foods. However, after six months, they can eat variety of foods for additional source of nutrients. It is recommended that you start giving him different healthy foods so that it can have a strong immune system.
Your baby needs proper intake of vitamins and minerals in order to grow and develop normally.
Here is a list of certain foods which can be very beneficial for your baby`s health:
Vegetables
When you start weaning, give your baby various types of vegetables. Vegetables can make the meals more colorful and full of vitamins and minerals which are essential for growth and development of your baby. Also, this kind of nutrition will protect your child from diseases in the long term.
It is recommended that you start giving your baby vegetables from the start of weaning, because as it gets older, it is more likely to reject unknown foods. You should also know that if your baby pulls a face when first tasting the vegetable, this may not mean it dislikes it, it may be surprised by the unknown taste.
There are certain vegetables, such as kale, brussels, and watercress that are loaded with nutrients but have a strong flavor that may be difficult for your baby to accept. However, you should be patient. You may need to offer new vegetables at least eight times before the baby starts eating it.
You can give them cooked green beans, steamed broccoli florets, or soft-cooked carrots.
Fish
You can give your baby well-mashed or flaked fish from six months onwards. Fish is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. You can give them salmon and mackerel which can are loaded with nutrients that are good for your baby`s development.
The fish has to be cooked thoroughly, and cleaned from any bones.
Foods you should not give your baby are: shark, swordfish, and marlin since they may have traces of mercury that affects the nervous system.
Poultry and Red Meat
Meat is one of the best sources of protein and an excellent source of nutrients like zinc and iron. Also, it contains small amount of vitamin D. When the baby is six or seven months, the stored iron in the pregnancy begins to run out. Therefore, you should give your child foods rich in iron.
Pureed or blended poultry is a very healthy food for your baby. You should start with soft, cooked poultry, like chicken. Next, you can start giving him beef, pork or lamb.
Cook the meat thoroughly until the juices run clear and remove any bones.
Pulses and Beans
These foods are also an excellent source of iron and proteins. They are very easy to cook and have soft texture that is easy for the baby to consume. These foods are the best substitutes for meat and fish.
You can give your baby pulses, beans, lentils or chickpeas, twice a day. Other good sources of proteins are thoroughly cooked eggs or tofu.
You can combine lentils or other cooked pulses with vegetables or fruits to improve the absorption of iron. For instance, you can mix well-mashed or pureed lentils with carrots or sweet potatoes. The vitamin C contained in the vegetables can help your baby absorb the iron.
Always check the label to make sure there is no added sugar or salt.
Milk
Despise the health benefits of consuming variety of foods, it is still important for your baby to regularly consume milk as a source of calcium and other nutrients.
In the beginning, your baby will be eating very small amounts of food, just one teaspoon or teaspoons per meal. He will continue to get its essential nutrients from the breast milk or formula milk. Therefore, you should breastfeed him regularly, or between 500 ml and 600ml a day until he's one year old.
The combination of solid foods and milk is the perfect nutrition for your baby. Until it turns one, the baby will be eating three meals a day, with one or two snacks in between.
Source: Baby Centre
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