BABY FEEDING TIPS

Don’t start solids until at least 6 months of age -> Although some practitioners recommend starting as early as 4 months, I feel confident that waiting till 6 months is best.

Start slow, one new food a time -> This is important to make sure your baby doesn’t have an allergic reaction to anything, also it takes time for them to get used to a food.  Some babies will adapt and be ready for more food quicker than others.

– Offer food at consistent times each day -> Having a routine is important.  Although the times will not be exact, you can get your baby adapted to a regular feeding schedule. For example, B: 8 am, S: 10 am, L: 12 pm, S: 3pm, D: 6pm.

– Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues -> Babies have an internal clock telling them when they are hungry and when they are full. Your job is to pay attention and learn about your baby’s clock.

Hunger Cues:
-Fusses and cries
-Smiles, gazes and coos at caregiver during feeding time
-Actively moves head toward spoon or attempts to put food in mouth
-Reaches or points to food
-Shows excitement when food is offered
-Uses words and sounds to indicate hunger and desiring food

Fullness Cues:
-Decreases rate of sucking or stops altogether
-Spits out nipple
-Is easily distracted
-Moves head away from spoon, bats or pushes food away
-Slows pace of eating
-Shakes head to say no or says “all done”
-Plays with or throws food

– Introduce foods over and over again –> The taste for veggies, proteins and good fats is a learned taste. Keep serving a food, even if your baby didn’t like it the time before.  Repetition is key!

– A little goes a long way -> Your baby’s stomach is only as big as his/her fist, so a few bites is perfectly fine. If your baby doesn’t eat a lot, they will likely need more milk.

– Food intake changes -> Some days or weeks your baby will be hungrier than others. This is completely normal as each baby grows differently.

– Don’t ever force your baby to eat.

Eat with your baby -> Babies/children learn by watching you.

Make food fun and appealing -> Introduce different, age appropriate textures, colors and forms of foods.

–Remember there is no perfect science to feeding babies –> Use your intuition, take note of what works and what doesn’t and try and enjoy the process!