Pregnancy & Baby
For the first 6 months of Baby’s life, breastmilk or infant formula provided all the nutrition she needed. But between 6 and 12 months the focus shifts to solid foods.
There are two main goals of feeding a 6–12 month old baby:
1: Baby needs to learn eating skills (e.g. swallowing, chewing, feeding herself). The best way to teach her is to feed her a variety of foods so she gets used to the mechanics of eating, different textures and a wide spectrum of flavors.
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2: Baby needs to thrive physically and developmentally. Baby needs specific nutrients and adequate calories to grow properly. How will you know if she is getting enough calories (but not too many)? The best indication will be if her growth is following a reasonable growth curve, as charted by your pediatrician at regular check-ups. If Baby’s doctor is not concerned about too little or too much weight gain, chances are her calorie intake is on target.
To determine if Baby is getting the right vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, see the chart below. As long as she is not gaining too much weight she may eat more than is recommended here, but if she is eating less, talk to her pediatrician or a dietitian to see if she might need more calories or might benefit from a multivitamin.
Protein
Best Food Sources: Lean beef, poultry, pork, eggs,* milk and milk products,* fish,* beans and lentils
Recommended Minimum Intake: Work up to 3 to 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) per day by age 1.
Comments: Begin these foods between 7 and 9 months.
Carbohydrates
Best Food Sources: Bread and bread products,* cereals,* grains including rice, oats, barley, and quinoa.
Recommended Minimum Intake:Work up to 1/2 to 1 cup per day by age 1.
Comments: Aim for whole grains whenever possible.
Fat
Best Food Sources:Whole milk dairy products including
milk, yogurt, cheese,* avocado, olive oil, canola oil, butter
Recommended Minimum Intake: Include several food sources per day. Do not restrict fat intake.
Comments: Essential for brain development—Babies need more fat than adults do.
Vitamin A
Best Food Sources:Sweet potato, carrot, spinach,
winter squash, apricots
Recommended Minimum Intake: At least 1/4 cup (about 2 ounces) per day.
Comments: In general, food sources are dark green, yellow or orange.
Vitamin C
Best Food Sources:Broccoli, cauliflower, citrus
fruits,* 100% fruit juice,
mango, potatoes
Recommended Minimum Intake: At least 1/4 cup (about 2 ounces) per day.
Vitamin D
Best Food Sources:Breastmilk and formula,
fortified dairy products,*
eggs*
Recommended Minimum Intake: Formula-fed babies don’t need additional vitamin D. If breastfeeding, ask your pediatrician about whether Baby needs a supplement of this vitamin.
Comments: Sun exposure helps Baby produce this vitamin, but not if baby is wearing sun screen, as is recommended.
Other vitamins
Best Food Sources:Apples and applesauce,
green beans, bananas, peas
Recommended Minimum Intake: 1/4 cup (about 2 ounces) or more per day.
Iron
Best Food Sources:Breastmilk and fortified
formula, fortified infant
cereal, meat and poultry,
beans and lentils, spinach,
egg yolk
Recommended Minimum Intake: At least one serving (4 tablespoons) of iron-fortified infant cereal per day plus one other iron source.
Comments: Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron so serve sources of this nutrient with iron-rich foods.
Calcium
Best Food Sources:Breastmilk and formula, milk
and milk products,* dark green leafy vegetables, tofu.
Recommended Minimum Intake: Will need 2 servings per day starting at age 1. One serving is 1 cup milk or yogurt.
(1 cup tofu = 1/2 serving of calcium)
*These foods may cause allergic reactions. Ask your pediatrician about when it is okay to introduce them to your baby.
For more information about the typical daily intake of babies aged 6 to 12 months, go to the What is Baby eating now table.
Article provided by HAPPYBABY Food. Learn more at www.happybabyfood.com |
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