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Raising a baby to become a healthy and happy person is one of the biggest challenges many people face in their lifetimes. This is because there are so many considerations to take into account that can influence the physical and psychological growth of an infant. One of the most important factors when raising a healthy child is to feed them nutritious food that will help them develop and promote a healthy connection with meals. Depending on your own personal food preferences and cooking abilities, this can either seem like an arduous challenge or a delight. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.
Stages of Eating
First of all, it is useful to outline the various stages of eating that a baby will go through as it grows. It is very rare for babies to be born with teeth, so solid foods are not an option in the first few months. Of course, every baby is different and not all will align with these stages precisely. Some parents breastfeed their baby for as long as possible, whereas others prefer to move on to formula or a combination of the two. Babies younger than six months old should be given pureed food so they can easily swallow it. Thicker foods can be introduced around the age of six to nine months old, and soft solid food can be given between ten and twelve months of age. This will vary on your own baby’s needs and preferences.
Make Mealtimes Enjoyable
Sometimes, mealtimes can become stressful for a baby or a young child. This could be due to a number of factors, such as a distaste for different types of food or negative emotions surrounding mealtime. If your baby is a fussy eater and you are concerned about their nutrition levels, this can be picked up on by the baby since they are incredibly intuitive about their carers’ emotions.. Reduce your own potential stress at mealtimes however you can. This might be by limiting how much you will need to clean up afterward. A bibado weaning bib can help to make this much easier and relieve some of the strain of feeding.
Don’t Introduce Unhealthy Foods
It is difficult to know what is and isn’t healthy, especially since moderation and preference play such an important role. It can be useful to feed your baby only healthy food and avoid falling back on sugary or fatty ingredients, as this can help them grow up without those cravings. Of course, this is difficult to do if your baby views something sweet as a treat and gets upset if you withhold it.
Resist the Urge to Indulge
While it is fine to occasionally indulge your baby with their most loved food, avoid overindulging to the point where they refuse to eat anything else. Make sure that treats remain treats and that main meals are nutritional. Set a positive example by enjoying healthy food yourself so they can see that a hearty meal can be a treat itself.