The health and growth of the baby largely depend on the nutrition they receive during their first year of life. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then using it as a complement up to two years. Also, during the first year it is appropriate to start introducing some new foods into their diet.
Breastfeeding
Breast milk is the first and most important food in the first months, as it directly contributes to development and protects the child from some types of allergies and food intolerances. It also strengthens the mother-child bond. Breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth since newborns tend to be quite awake then, which favors this situation.
Strict feeding schedules are not recommended because the baby should ask for it, although in general, feeding in the first days will be every two to three hours, and these intervals will gradually lengthen over time. If breastfeeding is not possible for any reason, artificial feeding is an equally recommended method.
Artificial feeding
Type 1 formulas are suitable during the first 4 to 6 months of the baby, and the pediatrician will indicate when it is time to change the formula. Just like breastfeeding, this should not be done on schedules but on the baby’s demand and in the quantities the baby considers necessary. The baby should never be forced to drink more than needed.
By 6 months, it is generally time to switch from type 1 formula to type 2, which will complement the new nutritional needs in the baby’s development.
Introduction of solid foods
Introducing new foods into the baby’s diet should be done separately, meaning they should not be mixed with each other, and it is recommended to leave several days between one and the next. These should be given in small amounts that will gradually increase so the baby gets used to them.
- Fruits: It is good to include apple, banana, orange, or pear in the first purees, and these should be offered between 4 and 6 months. Fruits more likely to cause allergies such as strawberry and peach should not be given before one year of age.
- Vegetables: Potato, carrot, or zucchini can be incorporated from 6-7 months in pureed form. When preparing, a drizzle of olive oil can be added, but seasoning with salt is not advisable. It is not advisable to introduce spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, or beetroot before the ninth month.
- Cereals: Gluten-free cereals like rice and corn can be introduced between 4 and 6 months. They are prepared dissolved in breast milk, follow-up milk, or water. Cereals with gluten (oats, barley, rye, and wheat) should not be incorporated before 6-7 months.
- Egg: Cooked egg yolk can be offered from 9-10 months. Egg white or the whole egg should not be introduced until 12 months. It is recommended not to give the baby more than 2 or 3 eggs per week.
- Meat: Chicken and red meats will be progressively included in vegetable puree from 6-7 months. Pork, on the other hand, should wait.
- Fish: Due to its high allergenic potential, it should not be introduced before 9-10 months. Start by adding cooked white fish to vegetable puree.
- Legumes: These will be introduced in small amounts at 15-18 months.
- Cow’s milk: Formula milks are suitable up to 2-3 years, but from 12 months the child can drink whole cow’s milk. Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese can also be part of the baby’s diet.
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