Discover the Perfect Nutrition for Your Baby

0-6 months 

What to Feed:

Nourish your little one with either breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula, catering to their needs until they are ready for solid foods, typically between 4 and 6 months of age.

Ensure your baby receives the necessary Vitamin D intake by incorporating a daily supplement, especially crucial for exclusively breastfed infants due to the low levels of Vitamin D in breast milk.

As your baby grows, adjust the amount of breast milk or formula accordingly to support their development.

What to Avoid:

Avoid dairy milk before your baby reaches 12 months to prevent potential intestinal issues and ensure their well-being.

Plant-based beverages such as soy, rice, or almond milk are not recommended for infants. If facing dairy allergies or intolerances, consult with your pediatrician for suitable alternatives.

Avoid introducing honey to children younger than 12 months to prevent the risk of botulism, a severe illness.

Limit fruit juices and sugary drinks, as they may deter your baby from consuming other essential nutrients and lead to unhealthy dietary habits.

Cereal should not be mixed with breast milk or formula in your baby's bottle, as it will not aid sleep and may hinder nutrient absorption.

Learn More About the Optimal Nutrition:

How to Feed:

Create a nurturing feeding environment free of distractions, fostering warm interaction without the intrusion of smartphones.

Respect your baby's cues during feeding sessions and avoid forcing them to finish a bottle or continue eating beyond their comfort.

Familiarize yourself with your baby's hunger and fullness cues, including hand-to-mouth motions, rooting reflex, and sucking noises, understanding that crying alone isn't always indicative of hunger.

Observe how these cues evolve as your baby grows, ensuring a seamless transition as their feeding patterns develop.

Feed your baby with confidence, prioritizing their health and well-being every step of the way.

6-12 months 

The Essentials:

Embrace breast milk or formula as the cornerstone of your baby's nutrition, providing vital nourishment for their growth and development.

Introducing Solids:

Transition smoothly into solid foods when your baby is ready, typically between 4 and 6 months, starting with mashed or pureed options.

Expand their palate with lumpy and soft finger foods between 6 and 8 months, gradually introducing chopped foods and hard finger foods between 8 and 12 months.

Offer a diverse range of foods from all food groups, ensuring a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, meats/proteins, and dairy.

What to Steer Clear of:

Protect your baby's delicate system by avoiding dairy milk before 12 months to prevent intestinal issues and ensure their well-being.

Sidestep plant-based beverages like soy, rice, or almond milk, opting for pediatrician-approved alternatives in cases of allergies or intolerances.

Bypass honey until your baby reaches 12 months to mitigate the risk of serious illness such as botulism.

Opt for mashed fruits over fruit juices to encourage balanced nutrition and prevent a preference for overly sweet options.

Shun sugary drinks and foods high in added sugars and sodium, prioritizing wholesome choices for your baby's well-being.

Feeding With Finesse:

Respond to your baby's hunger and fullness cues, recognizing signs like reaching for food, excitement at mealtime, and verbal expressions of food preferences.

Cultivate your baby's taste preferences by offering a variety of flavors and textures, nurturing a love for nutritious foods from an early age.

Establish a consistent meal and snack schedule to support healthy eating habits and promote regularity in your baby's feeding routine.

Create a nurturing feeding environment devoid of distractions, fostering warm interactions without the interference of smartphones.

Ensure safe feeding practices by avoiding common choking hazards like nuts, grapes, popcorn, and hot dogs, and always supervise your baby during mealtimes.

12-24

Fueling Your Toddler's Growth with Nutrient-Packed Choices

Feed Their Curiosity:

Introduce a rainbow of flavors with fruits and veggies, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of wholesome foods. Variety is key—offer a spectrum of colors and types to tantalize their taste buds.

Whole-Hearted Grains:

Nourish their bodies with whole grains like whole wheat bread and brown rice, packed with fiber and essential nutrients to support their active lifestyles.

Smart Fats for Bright Minds:

Cultivate brainpower with healthy oils and fats found in deboned fish or foods prepared with olive, canola, or sunflower oil—essential for their growing minds.

The Power of Plain Milk:

Elevate their nutrition with pasteurized whole milk after their first birthday, providing essential calcium and vitamins without any added sugars.

Hydration Heroes:

Quench their thirst with the pure refreshment of water—nature's perfect drink for growing bodies.

Limit with Love:

Nudge them towards healthier habits by limiting 100% fruit juice to 4 ounces a day and steering clear of sodium-laden foods that may shape their taste preferences for life.

Avoid the Pitfalls:

Opt out of plant-based beverages and sugary drinks, prioritizing wholesome choices and steering clear of added sugars and Trans fats found in processed foods.

Feeding Made Fun:

Plan 5 to 6 mini-meals and snacks each day, ensuring a balanced mix of food groups to fuel their adventures.

Share mealtimes with your toddler, fostering family bonds and making mealtime a joyful experience free from distractions.

Empower their independence with age-appropriate utensils, encouraging self-feeding and exploration.

Embrace their evolving tastes with patience and persistence, knowing that it may take multiple tries for them to accept new flavors.

Nurture a positive relationship with food—never pressure, always encourage, and celebrate their culinary discoveries every step of the way.

For more information, book a consultation with one of our expert pediatric consultants