Nutrition
Children who eat well and follow a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables tend to be the strongest and healthiest children. Well-nourished kids learn faster, grow better, and are more productive.
Teaching them from an early age to eat a well-balanced and healthy diet is the key to achieving good health for the rest of their lives.
These little beings have different dietary requirements than the average adult. Thus, when complementary feeding begins in childhood, it is necessary to follow a step-by-step diet to ensure the successful implementation of new foods.
We understand that as a parent, you may be concerned about what your child can and cannot eat. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Starting Solid Foods: How to Introduce Them?
If you -together with your pediatrician- have already decided to start the complementary feeding, it is worth knowing that the latter must be done little by little and according to an order. Remember that breastfeeding is still in this new stage but not exclusively.
It should be done as follows according to the WHO:
Between 6 and 7 months, your baby can start foods such as beef, turkey, liver, and chicken, cooked simply with a little salt and water. He/she can eat two to three times a day in the form of mashed or very soft porridge.
Between 7 and 8 months, legumes such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils can be incorporated, cooked as purees, finely chopped, or crushed.
At 12 months, you can include foods derived from milk such as cheese or yogurt, as well as eggs and fish (without bones) chopped into fine pieces.
And finally, after the year of age, you can start the citrus fruits always chopped into small pieces to help their digestion. By this time, your baby should be incorporated into the family diet, but if not, it is okay, one step at a time.
Know that a pediatrician must supervise these months of solid food, so you avoid mistakes that can harm your baby’s health.
How Many Carbs Should a Child Eat Daily?
Half of the food consumed by a child should be carbohydrates since they are the primary source of energy in their diet. Always remember that the intake must be balanced and not excessive, and cereals are preferred over pasta or gluten as a source of carbohydrates.
Is Breast-Feeding Beyond Infancy Recommended?
Yes, of course. Weaning starts gradually from 6 months when complementary feeding starts, and it is advisable to replace baby bottles or the mother’s breast with cups or glasses, and only give breast milk on demand (when provoked), with solids, until at least the first year of life.
At our Sugar Land Pediatric Clinic, you can book an appointment with the best pediatrician. Using a specialist during this period ensures the success of the inclusion of new foods; besides, it teaches you about eating techniques and many nutritional suggestions.
What Impact does The Nutrition during Toddler Years Have?
Right nutrition during the first two years of life is essential to guarantee proper brain development, better educational uptake, and the potential of the child’s skills.
