5 Best Baby Foods
An infant should not be fed anything other than breast milk until 4-6 months. It s the best source of all nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and enzymes, amino acids and proteins required by the baby s body in order to develop for the first six months. Breast milk aids to the baby s digestion and keeps the intestinal tract up and running. Moreover, it boosts the immunity of the baby and eliminates chances of any kind of infection.
* Cereals
After six months, the mother should introduce solids to her baby. Weaning from breast milk should begin with cereals like ragi, brown rice, chana dal, moong dal and toor dal. One must remember to feed only the skin less split dals. Egg yolk is also a good option for non-vegetarians and they can also feed the baby some skinless boneless chicken.
* Vegetables
Vegetables are a rich source of vitamins and iron which are crucial to the baby s proper development. Kaddu (Butternut squash), sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables and lauki (gourd) provide the adequate nutrition to the baby. One thing to consider here is that tomatoes (high in acid) and spinach (high in nitrates) should be avoided for the first ten months. Make it a point to wash and cook all the vegetables properly and then mash them prior to feeding the baby.
* Fruits
Fruits are equally important and fulfill the baby s need of citric acid along with minerals. Mashed bananas and apples should be the baby s first fruits. Once the baby is accustomed to eating these fruits, introduce papaya, pear, avocado and orange. One can add in some breast milk to the mashed fruits in order to soften them.
* Fortified Infant Cereals
For the first two years, babies should be fed fortified infant cereals because they are rich in iron. These formulas are best source for preventing iron deficiency in babies which can lead to anemia. A wide range of these fortified cereals are available in the market. They come in various flavors as well as ingredient quantities suiting the different age group of infants. The most recognized brand providing iron fortified cereals for infants is Nestle that offers quality food products like Cerelac, Lactogen and Nestum
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