Nutrition is very important for baby development and growth. Adequate, balanced and regular feeding of the baby ensures that the baby develops in accordance with its age. Malnutrition can cause both physical and cognitive decline in children. You can find baby feeding suggestions month by month for parents who are wondering "How should I feed my baby?" in the continuation of our article.
1 Month Baby Nutrition
The newborn period is the first time the baby comes to the outside world from the mother's womb. covers the moon. In this period when the baby adapts to the outside world, the baby needs to get used to the changes in many areas such as feeding, breathing and sleeping. It is recommended that babies be fed only breast milk in the first month. Mothers who have no handicap for breastfeeding can feed their children with breast milk, which is the safest and cheapest food source for the baby. Breast milk contains carbohydrates, fats, proteins and water and meets every nutrient the baby needs. For this reason, breastfed babies do not need to take additional food, including water, for the first 6 months.
The milk coming from the mother in the first days of breastfeeding is called colostrum. In addition to fat, protein and carbohydrates in colostrum, it contains substances such as lactoferrin, Immunoglobulin A, and leukocytes, which play a role in the development of the immune system. This milk also contains substances that stimulate the development of the baby, such as epidermal growth factor. For babies who cannot be fed with breast milk, the use of formula can be started with the knowledge of the doctor. The recommended amount of formula for 0-1 month old babies is 60-120 ml and the feeding frequency is 6-8 times a day. However, it should not be forgotten that each baby may have special needs and a specialist should be consulted for the nutrition scheme.
2 Months Baby Nutrition
Healthy infant nutrition is based on the fact that the baby is fed only with breast milk for the first 6 months. The content of breast milk is shaped according to the needs of the baby during the growth period, changing both during the day and according to the months. For example, the fat content in breast milk increases as it progresses. Milk, which has less fat density in the first hours of the day, contains more carbohydrates to meet the baby's energy needs. Higher fat milk in the evening helps the baby stay fuller throughout the night. The recommended amount of formula for 1-2 months old babies who cannot be breastfed is 150-175 ml and the feeding frequency is 5-6 times a day.
3-Month Baby Nutrition
Breastfed babies should continue to be fed in this way in their 3rd month. For babies who cannot be breastfed, it is early to start complementary foods at the 3rd month. Therefore, these babies need to be fed with formula. The recommended amount of food for 3-month-old babies is 175-200 ml and the feeding frequency is 5-6 times. For babies who cannot be breastfed, formula recommendations are as in 175-200 ml portions 5-6 times a day, just like in the 3rd month.
5 Months Baby Nutrition
Babies 5 should be fed with breast milk at the age of three months. Towards the end of the 5th month, additional food trials can be started with fruit purees such as banana and apple. Since babies cannot meet all their nutritional needs with additional food during this period, they should continue to be fed with formula. The recommendations regarding the amount of food and the frequency of feeding are the same as at the 3rd and 4th months.
Nutrition for 6 Months Baby
According to experts, complementary food should be started as of the 6th month in babies. Babies who can stay in a sitting position, open their mouth when they see food coming, and send the food put in their mouth to the esophagus with their tongue are suitable candidates for starting complementary foods. The biggest questions in parents' minds when transitioning to complementary foods are issues such as "What do 6-month-old babies eat?", "Which foods should I start with supplementary food?" It is necessary to avoid giving liquid foods in infants during the transition to complementary foods. During the first year, the baby does not need to consume any food other than breast milk or formula as a liquid. Since the risk of aspiration in liquid foods is higher, it would be more appropriate to start solid foods with solid foods. Mixing rice flour with water and p It is prepared by making it smooth. This prepared mixture is given to the baby to taste 1-2 spoons per day. As the baby gets used to it, the frequency of feeding with additional food can be increased to 3 times a day. During this period, breastfeeding should also be continued.
7 Months Baby Nutrition
When babies reach 7 months, they can start to eat pureed fruits and vegetables. The point to be considered at this stage is food allergies. Each new type of vegetable or fruit should be tried individually and the baby should be carefully monitored after the trial. Giving more than one type at the same time will make it difficult to find out which food is responsible in case of a possible allergy. Around 6 months of age, the baby can be allowed to be fed on his own with so-called 'finger foods'. The definition of finger food covers small to medium sized foods that the baby can hold, bite, chew and swallow by himself. Food varieties such as peeled soft apple or peach slices, and soft banana cut into several pieces can be given to the baby at 8 months.
9 Months Baby Nutrition
A 9 month old baby needs an average of 750-900 calories per day. 450-500 of these calories come from breast milk or formula. The remaining gap should be filled with additional foods. Looking at the baby food list by month, babies can start to eat different types of foods such as well-cooked meat, pasta, mashed cereal, as well as vegetables and fruit at 9 months. When preparing a 9-month-old baby meal list, care should be taken to include a variety of foods that will meet the baby's calorie, vitamin and mineral needs.
10 Months Baby Nutrition
In almost all 10 month old babies, 4 of the front teeth have come out. This increases the biting and chewing skills of babies. Therefore, applications that will teach 10-month-old babies to eat by themselves can be increased. In short, around the 10th month is a period when the nutritional diversity for babies will be increased and the baby's self-feeding will be encouraged.
11 Months Baby Nutrition
When babies reach 11 months, they It becomes possible to consume almost every food group. Additional salt, sugar, should not be added to the foods that babies consume from the transition to supplementary food until this month. While preparing baby meals at the 11th month, care should be taken to prepare meals containing both vegetables and meat. In this month, babies can be given yogurt as a snack.
12-Months Baby Nutrition
The need for calories increases with the acquisition of skills such as walking for babies who reach 1 year old. This increasing need cannot be met only with breast milk and formula, and additional foods for 1-2 meals are not enough to meet the needs of the baby. For 1 year old nutrition, babies should eat 3 main meals with additional foods. Babies at this age should be given a snack with foods such as fruit and yoghurt twice a day. Care should be taken to ensure that the food given to the baby is as natural as possible, does not contain additives and covers all the macro and micro nutritional needs of the baby. A specialist should be consulted on issues such as which foods the baby can consume in which month and what to do in case of food allergy. The slightest disturbance in the baby's feeding may indicate a serious underlying condition or lead to serious health problems in the future. It would be useful to apply to the nearest health institution to get detailed information about baby nutrition.
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