Nutrition For All Series- Blog Number- 3 INFANCY AND TODDLER

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Nutrition For All

-INFANCY AND TODDLER-


The second phase of infancy is 6-12 months. Before going into this part of infancy little brief upon breastfeeding. As 1-7th August, is a breastfeeding week you have already read about the importance of breastfeeding in early stages of life in the last blog. Continuing with it today you'll get to know more about the next phase.
Ideally, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for at least 6 months. After that baby's gut is now capable to digest the starch and other food items hence it's a time to add complementary foods in baby's diet.

What are the complementary foods?

Complementary means which completes as a whole. When breastfeeding alone is not enough for infant's growth it's the right time to introduce complementary foods.
As the baby is growing from 6 months his needs for energy and other many micro nutrients are also increasing. Hence only breastfeeding can not provide all the essential nutrients required by the baby.

How to start with the complementary foods?

The first and most important thing is you will have to start gradually. Until the baby learns the reflexes such as munching, or baby gets teeth to chew food properly, the proper consistency of the food is a must.
Ideally, until the baby learns all these semi-solid or pureed form foods is recommended.

Infancy Second Stage:-

6 to 8 months -

Start with introducing 2-3 meals of complementary foods per day.
From 6 to 8th months the baby can take the pureed or mashed form of food items. Introduce one at a time, then repeat it. If the baby is not accepting a particular food because of any reason like the taste, smell, texture, etc. Try and introduce it again after a time gap. Introduce the same food after 10-15 days and then repeat.

9 to 11 months-

Start with introducing 3-4 meals of complementary foods per day.
From 9 to 11th months the baby can take finger foods. Some small snack items which can be eaten by own. Baby will learn new motor skills till 9 to 11 months hence will be able to pick the finger foods and eat it by own.

12 to 24 months-

The child will continue to have 3-4 meals per day of complementary foods until 12 to 24th months. In this period start introducing one additional snack in your child's diet. It could be a small fruit or a mixed nuts ladoo, etc.
During this period of second stage infancy that is 6 months to 12 months baby's taste buds get developed hence try and introduce many nutritious food items one at a time with proper intervals of time.


From infancy to a toddler that is from 12 months to 2 years of life baby can get breast milk along with these complementary foods. Yes! Breastfeeding can be continued up to 2 years. But what is important is giving complementary foods with the proper amount, frequency, consistency and nutrient-dense composition.

Toddler -

The period of more of the development of motor skills. This is the period where the child is very active in many activities, games and playing. Hence the nutritional demands also increased. Child in the toddler stage already have learned to eat many foods hence in this period child must be able to eat the family food items which special care is taken. A child can eat all type of food items made in the family, but the amount of spices, the proper cooking method should be checked before giving it to the child. It should be a nutrient-dense based on family cooking methods.

 

How much to give?

The proper amount is a must. As the baby is growing slowly the amount of food needed is also increases. 


6 to 8 months- Start introducing the feed with only 2-3 tablespoons per feed. Gradually increase the amount of feed to 1/2 cup. It should be purely liquid to a mashed or semi-solid consistency.

 

9 to 11 months- Continue the amount of feed as 1/2 cup per feed. Consistency of foods should be mashed, finely chopped or finger foods which a baby can easily pick up and eat on his own.


12 to 24 months- Gradually increase the amount of food per feed from 1/2 cup to a full 250ml cup or a small bowl. Introduce family foods to the baby. Improve consistency as per the child's requirements. Give mashed foods if necessary.



Points to remember:

  1. Introduction of complementary foods along with the breast feeding from 6 months is necessary.
  2. Introduce one food at a time. Repeat for several times. but if a child refuses particular food try and introduce it again after 10-15 days.
  3. Introduce cow's milk after 12 months. Simply digested and light foods with proper consistency is needed.
  4. Variety of foods must be included. Start with liquids then progress to mashed and semi-solid foods gradually. 

 




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