Newborn: Your little one needs a gentle care!

Infant feeding (For the first six months)

The first six months of the baby are very crucial. Baby should be given exclusive breastfeeding till six months as it the most natural, hygienic, economical and the perfect source of nutrition for the baby. Breast milk is a source of natural immunity and has anti-infective and anti-allergic properties.

Breast milk composition is tailor-made for the baby so that a preterm baby’s mother has preterm milk. 

Baby should be breastfed on demand 

Pre-lacteal, top feeding, water, bottles, and pacifiers should be avoided for the first 6 months as it hampers breastfeeding

Complementary feeding (6 months to 1 year)

After 6 months of age, the nutritional needs of the baby are not met by breast milk alone. Introduction of complementary foods at 6month of age in baby’s diet fills in the energy gap and provides extra minerals and vitamins. Breastfeeding should be continued till 2 years of age to provide the major caloric intake.

Complementary foods are started in small amounts and increased progressively so as to provide more than half the nutritional requirement by the age of one year.

The period of 6-12 months of age is a very critical time of transition for the baby because if appropriate complementary feeding practices are not established, the child becomes vulnerable to have malnutrition and increased risk of infections. 

A baby’s first food should be: 

• Cereal or root staple-based food
• Soft and flowing
• Thicker than breast milk
• Bland in taste 
• Mashed or strained without any lumps
• eg. Rice kheer, dal with ghee, pureed fruits, and vegetables

Frequency of complementary foods: to start, give a small amount of food 1-2 times a day and gradually increase it to 3-4 times per day by one year. The amount should also be increased and after one year of age complementary food should be given 4-5 times I.e. three meals and 2 snacks should be given along with breastfeeding.

How to feed the child 

• One food should be introduced at a time.
• The consistency of the food should be gradually changed from liquid to semisolid and solid with different textures with the advancing age of the child.
• Start with a small amount and gradually increase the volume of the feed. Food should be served in a separate bowl rather than out of someone else’s plate to have an idea of the amount of feed baby takes. This also encourages the child to feed on its own. 
• Initially baby may spit out the food as swallowing semisolid food is difficult. It doesn't mean they don’t like it. Introduce one type of food at a time and give it daily to develop the taste and liking of the baby. 
• Never force feed a child. Be patient but determined. If a child doesn’t like a particular food, it should be removed from the diet and can be re-introduced later.
• If any particular food makes the child sick or pale that food should not be given as the baby may be allergic to it.
• Variety of foods in different colors, textures, flavors, and shapes should be added to make the food appealing and more nutritious for the baby. 
• Food should not be spicy 
• A child should be encouraged to feed on its own as children can feed themselves by one year of age under supervision
• It is not necessary to cook separately for the baby. The family meal can be easily modified for the baby.
• Always start with carbohydrates first and then proteins
• Food should be hygienic and properly cooked and should be used within 3hour of preparation. 
• Continue breastfeeding along with complementary feeding.
• When a baby is started on complementary feeding the number of stools may increase. Personal hygiene should be maintained.
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6 -9 months - after initiation of cereal-based solid food, non-vegetarians can initiate small amount of well-cooked meats (chicken and fish) 

• The food should be mashed or finely chopped and preferably home cooked. 
• Introduce a broad range of new foods and textures to ensure balanced nutrition like fruits, green leafy vegetables, pulses, cereals.
• Frequency should be 2-3 times a day
• Gradually increase the amount, increase to half a cup in 3-4 weeks
• Add oil of ghee to make the meal energy dense.
• Continue breastfeeding

9-12 months:

• Give almost anything cooked at home
• Wheat products (Pasta, bread, oats) can be added along with cheese and eggs
• The texture should be roughly mashed and chopped.
• Frequency should be 3-5 times a day
• Baby is ready for finger food.
• Continue breastfeeding.

12 months and above 

• Baby should eat at least half the amount that the mother eats.
• Finger food and family food should be included, and baby should be encouraged to eat themselves.
• Cow milk can be introduced in the diet.
• Breastfeeding should continue.

References:-

https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/complementary_feeding/en/