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With your infant in your arms, feeding your little one can be a challenge. Your first feeding session begins as soon as you become a new mother.
From the golden hour to the 12 months of your baby’s life, nutritional needs change gradually. This 1 year may not be all that hunky dory, but it’s a great learning experience for new mommies. Breastfeeding comes naturally during these stages of your baby’s life.
So, here’s a guide curated for you, as a new mom from 0 to 12 months old.
Baby Food: From 0 to 6 Months Old
Babies grow faster from 0 to 6 months old. Breastmilk is the only easily digestible newborn baby nutrition, which helps the baby grow. Experts always recommend breastfeeding your baby for 6 months.
So, How Will You Feed Your Newborn From 0 to 6 Months?
Newborns typically consume 2 to 3 ounces of breast milk or formula every two to three hours. However, it can be challenging to determine the exact amount when breastfeeding. So, here’s the way out:
- In the first few days of a baby’s life, the little one’s belly is small. You may not have to feed the baby breast milk at this time.
- When your baby is a month old, he or she’ll need 3 to 4 ounces every two to four hours daily.
- During the second month, their breastmilk intake would be 4 to 5 ounces, after every three to four hours.
- On the third, your little one would require 4 to 6 ounces of breastmilk or infant formula within 3 to 4 hours.
- Breastmilk or formula, every four to five hours, is the nutritional need for your 4-month-old.
- Intake of 6 to 7 ounces of breast milk or formula in the fifth month, is the nutritional need, every four to five hours a day.
- By the time your little one reaches the half-year mark, they’ve received the maximum nutrition from breastmilk. But that doesn’t mean you should pause feeding the baby. Ensure that you offer 7 to 8 ounces of breastmilk or formula during this phase of your baby’s life. Along with breastfeeding, this is also the time to taste solid foods. Although this transition from exclusive breastfeeding or formula to solids may not be a cakewalk, offering 1 to 9 tablespoons of fruits, veggies, and cereals can add to your infant’s health and nutrition. Don’t forget to give your baby yoghurt during this time.
Baby Food: From 7 to 8 Months Old
Once your baby reaches the 7th month to the 8th month, they become very curious about the world around them, and they begin to achieve the most essential physical milestones like sitting, slowly standing, etc. Your 7 or 8-month-old can master gulping. Your baby is slowly getting ready for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Providing your baby with a healthy, nutritious diet from different spectrums, besides breastmilk, can help them thrive.
How Will You Feed Your 7 to 8-Month-Old?
You need to nurse the baby first, before giving him solid food. You needn’t add salt or sugar while preparing your baby’s food. Adding salt or sugar to your baby’s food is unhealthy for their kidneys. Moreover, adding sugar to their food can cause tooth decay.
Your little one may not be ready to eat all at once. You may have to give it at least 10 tries before your little one starts eating. This is a crucial stage in their lives. On some days you’ll notice they’ll take in more, some days they may consume less. There will be some days when they will not feel like eating.
Remember, your little one will have to make your baby’s food mashed, and soft. Give them rice, oats, lentils, apples, mangoes, and essential veggies.
Be patient! Let them get used to decent eating habits.
If your child feels hungry between meals, let him/her latch on to your breasts.
Baby Food: From 9 to 10 Months Old
Did you hear the little one babbling, or calling you “mamma” or your partner “dada”?
Ah! As a new mommy, you’ll feel overjoyed and proud that your baby has started communicating. The little one will slowly understand the goodbye waves and simple words like “no,” and “come here.” They will show emotions of fear, sadness, or happiness. They will be aware of the various emotions like feeling scared, surprised, or happy. Playing the game of “peek–a–boo” will be interesting and fun.
That means your little one’s brain is developing. Enhance their brain function by providing them with nutritious food.
How Will You Feed Your 9 to 10 Month Old?
Around this time, you need to fill your little one’s stomach with solid food, and a healthy snack, besides giving them breastmilk or formula-fed milk.
The 9 or 10-month-old’s breakfast will include fresh fruit, nutritious veggies, cereal, and eggs.
Lunchtime can include soup, veggies, fruits, meat, rice, or rotis.
Give your little one crackers, biscuits, butter or yoghurt for snacking. What about dinner? Dinner can be just like lunch. Sometimes, the little ones may want something else for dinner.
Baby Food: From 11 to 12 Months Old
Your baby will soon be a year old. During teething, your little one will start nodding, waving, pointing, and talking. He or she will start chewing and chomping solid foods down. They will walk independently. They may also shake, poke, throw, and drop objects during this time.
That means your 11 or 12-year-old is full of energy, and excitement, around this time. Moreover, their digestive system is still developing. So, you can give your little one energy-filled food.
What Should You Feed Your 11 to 12 Month Old?
Since your little one is approaching their 1st birthday, some may consider slowly stopping nursing them. (Breastfeeding or not is a new mom’s personal choice). The 11 or 12-month-old little one is slowly joining family meals and eating three times a day.
Try to feed your little one healthy and nutritious food. The little one can be fed fish, fried food, etc. Instead of breastmilk, you can give cow’s milk to your little one. Check whether your 1-year-old has a fondness for sweets. Make a milkshake for him or her by adding fruits or raisins to the milk, instead of sugar.