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Baby Nutrition and Feeding Guide

0 to 6 months

Article

How will you feed your newborn?

8 mins to read Jul 31, 2017

It’s a common and important question for any parent or parent-to-be, and it’s never too early to start making decisions about baby nutrition. You can turn to this guide to help prep your infant feeding plan and find out valuable facts about baby nutrition. Constantly craving information? Add to the info below with guidance on first-year feeding from the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Breast milk is best

It’s the perfect food for a newborn baby in that it’s nutrient-rich,¤ it can change feeding by feeding to meet the nutritional needs of your baby as they grow, and it’s naturally produced to give your baby the best start in life.

Breastfeeding is great for you as well. It can help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight faster and help create an intimate bond between you and your baby.

Health Canada recommends that for the nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and development of infants and toddlers, you breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, and you sustain it for up to two years or longer with appropriate complementary feeding.1,2

Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding now.

Your infant feeding plan

How you feed your baby is a very personal decision. Here’s what you should consider while you personalize a baby nutrition plan:

  • Base it on the right information, advice and support from your healthcare professional and your family.
  • Know that breast milk is the ideal food for baby nutrition during the first six months of life.
  • Look over the variety of infant formulas available, should you choose to introduce one.

As you get ready to give your baby all the nourishment they’ll need by developing an infant feeding plan, consider the following for yourself:

As you get ready to give your baby all the nourishment she’ll need by developing an infant feeding plan—consider this:

1.

Healthy Mom, healthy Baby
  • Eat healthy (and enough. Newborns feed every 2-3 hours, you gotta eat, too).
  • Hydrate.
  • Get lots of rest.
  • Call on family and friends for help around the house (or just let the chores wait).
  • Keep "Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide" on your fridge.

 

2. Learn about breastfeeding

Ready, set, breastfeed! Make it a fulfilling experience for both of you by arming yourself with helpful hints, as well as tips on how to cope with challenges.

3. Get right to it!

  • Breastfeed ASAP after birth (within 30 to 60 minutes is recommended if you are healthy enough to do so).
  • Hold your baby to skin-to-skin often to promote successful breastfeeding initiation.
  • Confirm your hospital supports 24-hour rooming-in (so you never keep your hungry baby waiting).,

 

4. Know your supplementing options for optimum baby nutrition

  • Your choices include breastfeeding (ideally), supplementing breast milk with infant formula or feeding with infant formula only.
  • Health Canada recommends cow milk-based commercial infant formula as the only safe and nutritious alternative to breast milk.1,2
  • Canadian healthcare experts recommend cow's-milk based infant formula from birth until 9 to 12 months of age.1,2
  • Iron-fortified infant formula offers a complete source of nutrition for your baby during the first year (The Canadian government actually regulates the composition of infant formula).
  • Infant formulas contain the recommended amounts of fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals needed for baby's growth and development.
  • You have several choices of infant formulas – always speak to your doctor before making changes to what you feed your baby.

When can my baby have cow's milk?

Whole (3.25 percent) cow's milk isn't recommended as a part of a baby nutrition plan until the 9- to 12-month mark for these reasons:

Iron should be part of a baby nutrition plan

As you strengthen your iron knowledge with the info below, know that your baby’s initial iron reserves may start to run low at about the 6-month mark1.

Why iron?

  • It’s a vital nutrient that contributes to the normal growth and development of your baby.
  • It’s essential in building red blood cells that transport oxygen throughout her little body.

 

How does a baby get iron?

  • Healthy full- term infants are born with iron stores, which meet their needs until about six months of age.
  • Your own iron-rich diet will help ensure that these stores stay topped up.
  • Breast milk will provide your baby with adequate iron for those first 6 months1.
  • Should you choose to supplement or exclusively formula feed, choose an iron-fortified formula.
  • Introduce iron-rich solid foods after the 6-month mark1.

 

Wait, solid foods?

  • Yep, your baby will be ready to start eating solid foods by around six months.
  • The introduction of foods into a baby nutrition plan should be a steady progression of single ingredients and portion sizes between six and 12 months of age.
  • Health Canada recommends baby’s first foods be iron-rich.1
  • Healthy iron-rich options are meat, meat alternatives and iron-fortified baby cereal.
  • Babies should be offered iron-rich foods two or more times a day.1,2
  • Still not sure how to meet your baby’s iron needs once she’s accustomed to solid food? Just follow the baby nutrition recommendations in the chart below.3

 

Ironclad Reminders

  • Breastfeeding is ideal ¾ and nature’s way of delivering iron to your baby for the first six months
  • Always choose an iron-fortified infant formula if you decide to supplement or exclusively formula-feed
  • Introduce iron-rich foods at around six months of age whether you're breastfeeding or formula feeding (just talk to your baby's doctor, first)
  • Avoid whole cow's milk until at least nine to 12 months of age as it is a poor source of iron
  • Be aware of the myths and know there is no scientific data that shows a correlation between iron-fortified formulas and gastrointestinal problems such as colic, constipation and fussiness
  • Store all vitamin supplements that contain iron, including your prenatal and postpartum vitamins out of children's reach ¾ large amounts can be harmful to children
  • If you suspect excessive iron intake, call your doctor or visit your local emergency room immediately.

Talk to your doctor about your baby’s iron needs and iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can cause your baby to be less active than usual, and perhaps even develop more slowly.

DHA and ARA

You’re probably aware of these two fatty acids that offer health benefits: DHA (you know it as docosahexaenoic acid, right?), an omega-3 fat, and ARA (arachidonic acid, of course), an omega-6 fat.

What makes them so important to baby nutrition?

Experts agree that DHA and ARA are essential for healthy brain and eye development4,5 (they actually accumulate in the brain and eye tissue of your baby before birth).

The earlier you can start getting DHA, a major brain-nourishing nutrient, the better—up to 90% of your baby’s brain growth will be complete by age three6.

How do I get them?

Your body will produce DHA and ARA from two essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic acid.

It all starts though, with your healthy diet—so eat foods rich in DHA5, like:

  • Fatty fish: Atlantic salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines and cod are your best DHA bets (in that order).
  • Omega-3 eggs fortified with DHA: A great substitute if you’re not a fish fan.
  • Flaxseed and walnuts: Decent sources, yes, but you’ll only get a small amount of DHA once your body processes these.

 

How does my baby get them?

These nutrients are passed through your breast milk.

Your baby’s body produces them the same way yours does, from alpha-linoleic and linoleic acid that are added to all infant formulas. These essential fatty acids are also found in a variety of solid foods5. Plus, most infant formulas in Canada also contain DHA and ARA to support baby’s normal physical brain and eye development. Your healthcare professional can answer any more of your questions about DHA and ARA.

 The Pros of Probiotics: Developing A Baby Nutrition Plan for Bolstering A Baby Immune System

Ah, yes, another miracle of nature—your baby’s developing immune system, it works hard as a:

  • Shield from sickness and infection.
  • Main support in her growth and overall health.
  • Key in maintaining natural protective barriers.

 

The skin is obviously most important for protection, but another important barrier is the digestive tract, which is home to:

  • 80% of the body's immune cells.7
  • The gut flora, a delicately balanced community of around 500 different kinds of bacteria.

 

In a healthy digestive system, part of the task of keeping baby’s immune system and body safe from illness relies on good bacteria (or bacterial cultures)—they can also help to balance potentially harmful bacteria. One way to help support this protective barrier is to increase the levels of good bacteria in your baby’s digestive tract.

Recent research has shown that breast milk naturally contains probiotics including Bifidobacteria8,9 that:

  • Are good bacteria
  • Make up to 90% of the naturally occurring bacteria found in the gut flora of healthy, breastfed babies.10
  • Aid in building a healthy digestive tract flora.
  • Help with the healthy development of a strong immune system.11,12

 

These facts alone make it easy to see why breast milk is an ideal source of probiotics for your baby.

 

What are probiotics?

The meaning of “probiotic” is literally “for life”.

Probiotics are live, safe microorganisms, found in food and you’ll also hear them called “natural cultures” or “good bacteria”.

They offer specific health benefits, like aiding in digestion and supporting the immune system, when taken in adequate amounts.13

The probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis or B. lactis is a common type of Bifidobacteria and is recognized by Health Canada as a probiotic that contributes to baby’s healthy digestive tract flora.14 B. lactis has also been extensively studied for its baby nutrition benefits in infants.

Research suggests that, when ingested, probiotics only temporarily reside in the digestive system11,13,14 and continued, daily consumption of B. lactis is necessary for health benefits.14,15

B. lactis has been shown to help increase levels of antibodies, the immune protectors of your body, and an important part of a healthy baby's immune system and natural defences.15,16,17

 

¤ All breastfed, full term infants in Canada should receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 mg (400 IU).

Introduce First Food to your Baby

6 to 8 months

Article

Around the six-month mark, your baby will probably show signs of being ready for bites of their first food. This is unofficially called the “om-nom-nom” stage because it’s among the more common sounds you’ll hear from them around this time.

6 mins to read Jul 31, 2017

2. Introduce new foods in the morning

You may find that morning is the best time to offer new foods because your baby is more likely to be hungry, happy and receptive to trying new things. Plus, you’ll have the full day to monitor for food intolerances or allergic reactions.

3. Offer small amounts at the beginning

Start slowly, with one to two teaspoons of food, and see how your baby does. You can offer more if they seem hungry and interested — it’s all they need for the first go-round.

4. Pay attention to texture

Your baby’s first food should be smooth in consistency and lump-free to prevent choking. Mixing solid food with breast milk or with infant formula may help with the consistency and also make it taste more familiar.

Instructions for first feedings with baby cereal: Place one tablespoon of cereal into a bowl and mix with three or four tablespoons of previously boiled, lukewarm water, breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula (depending on the cereal you’re trying). Mix in enough to make a runny mixture.

5. Experiment with temperature

Practise serving foods at different temperatures. But remember, too cold is unenjoyable and too hot is unsafe! Both would likely lead to a negative experience for both of you.

6. Get comfortable using a baby spoon

Dip the tip of a soft slim spoon into the food and offer it to your baby, but don’t force it in. Wait until they open their mouth. If they reach for the spoon, let them try it! They may even want to use their fingers to catch the food. You’ll succeed with a bit of patience.

Make mealtime fun: Positive reinforcement works. Saying “Yay! Good job!” in an excited and proud way will make your baby more likely to want to try the food again.

7. Cook everything thoroughly

Babies are more vulnerable than adults are to bacteria that can grow in food. Raw or undercooked meat, poultry/eggs or fish should never be offered to infants or young children.

8. Offer a new food for at least 2 days before introducing another one

In case of an adverse reaction, this delay will help you better identify the culprit. If this happens, stop feeding the food right away and talk to your baby's doctor.

9. Don’t get discouraged — it’ll come

It may take a few days before any food actually makes it into your baby’s tummy. That’s okay! Eating food is a skill you take for granted, but you had to learn it just as your baby does. Looking at, touching or smelling the food without eating it is common — these are all senses your baby’s still learning. Continue to pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues so you can breastfeed or formula feed accordingly. Learn more about your little one's hunger cues here.

Health experts advise not to delay the introduction of any specific solid food beyond six months of age, regardless of family history of allergy. You can introduce peanuts, soy, whole eggs, fish and wheat as you would any other food and monitor for allergic reactions. Consult your doctor if you have concerns about introducing solid foods or about allergies in your baby.

Food for thought:

Always use a spoon, never a bottle, when feeding solids.

These foods are not appropriate for your little ones at the early stages of food introduction:

Choking hazards

Foods that are hard or crunchy, small and round shaped, or sticky can block your baby or small child’s airway. Be sure to prepare foods according to your child’s age and their ability to chew and swallow. And, you should always supervise your baby while they are eating.

Whole (3.25%) cow’s milk

Whole (homogenized) cow’s milk (3.25% milk fat) can be introduced between 9 and 12 months of age, once your baby is eating a variety of iron-rich foods. Cow’s milk is low in iron, can take up room in baby’s tummy and displace iron-rich foods, and can even inhibit iron absorption.

See why your baby isn't ready for cow's milk right away when they start solid foods.

Honey

Do not feed honey (pasteurized or unpasteurized) to infants under one year of age. Honey, including pasteurized honey, has been linked to a type food poisoning called infant botulism, and should not be added to baby foods or used on soothers, nipples or teething toys. 

Sugar & salt

Avoid adding sugar and salt when preparing food for your baby. This will help your little one fully experience new foods and develop a taste for its natural flavours.

Sweetened beverages

Choose fruits and vegetables over fruit juice and avoid other sweetened beverages. You can also offer water regularly. For older babies no longer eating breastmilk or formula, their main milk source should be whole cow’s milk. Plant-based beverages don’t offer enough nutrition for toddlers under two, and raw or unpasteurized beverages are not safe for babies and toddlers. For more information on what to avoid, see Safe Food Handling: Making safe food choices for your baby.

Wondering which new foods to try? For more on foods appropriate for your little one, check out the Nestle Baby Feeding Guide.

Weaning Tips for Babies

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close communication. You are now preparing for another exciting milestone - introducing solid foods to your baby's diet. This is an exciting moment when your baby becomes more independent in eating. But, like all other stages of a child's development, this period requires a long adaptation. Like most parents, you probably want to know when to start introducing solid foods and how to introduce solid foods to your baby.

This article contains important information about introducing solid foods to your baby's diet (age-appropriate), tips for introducing complementary foods, and techniques to help you and your baby transition smoothly to the next level of nutrition.

At what age should complementary foods be introduced?


Be sure to check with your doctor when you think your child is ready to introduce new foods. There is no exact age at which complementary foods should be introduced. However, the introduction of complementary foods to children, both breastfed and bottle-fed, is recommended to start at the age of 4-6 months. At 6 months of age, a baby's energy and mineral needs increase. However, all babies are different and some may be ready for it as early as four months. Four months is the earliest age at which complementary foods can be introduced. Until then, the baby's gastrointestinal tract is not ready to absorb any other food besides breast milk or formula. Only a doctor will be able to assess the individual readiness of each child; no matter what his decision is, it is important to continue breastfeeding, gradually introducing solid foods along with it.

The doctor will try to identify key signs that your baby is ready for solid foods: [1]

  • The baby can sit up without assistance or can sit on mom's lap and hold her head.
  • The “spoon push” reflex, a natural reaction of rejection of food, in which the child pushes the spoon out with the tongue (the child no longer sticks out the tongue when eating), has disappeared in the baby.
  • The child has an active food interest (desire to try something from the table while adults are eating).

After your baby has mastered the skills necessary for independent feeding, including holding his head well, you can begin to introduce more solid foods into the diet.

Your baby's first foods


The moment you've been waiting for is finally here: your baby is ready to try solid food! Usually the products of the first complementary foods are vegetables and cereals.

If the baby is healthy, has no digestive problems and is gaining weight well, then, as a rule, weaning foods start with the introduction of vegetables.

Monocomponent vegetable purees are good for the first feeding. Vegetables are a source of organic acids, potassium, iron, fiber. It is recommended to start vegetable complementary foods with zucchini, broccoli and cauliflower. Initially, vegetable puree should consist of one type of vegetable. Then you can make a combination of different vegetables. Start with 1 spoon, then bring the volume to 180 grams. By the year, the amount of vegetable purees consumed per day is 200 grams.

If the child is underweight or anemic, industrial cereals can be given as the first complementary food. As the first cereals, in order to avoid allergic reactions, it is recommended to introduce dairy-free gluten-free cereals. Mix one to two tablespoons of single-grain cereal with breast milk, or infant formula, or water. If the child is breastfed, give him complementary foods only after the main feeding, so that the child can first get enough breast milk; keep doing this until he is about

[2]

Once your child is used to their first meal, continue to introduce new foods such as fruit purees, cottage cheese, eggs, dairy products, and meat and fish purees. Before introducing each next product, you must wait three to five days to find out if the child is allergic to the previous one.

Steaming!


The inclusion of various foods in the diet is very important for the formation of taste habits in the baby. Steam a variety of healthy meals!

Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook baby food. Steamed products are very soft and juicy, unlike fried products, which, of course, is very popular with children. And most importantly, steamed foods preserve the most important vitamins and minerals.

Make healthy cooking easy and enjoyable with the Philips Avent 4 in 1 Steamer Blender. The 4 in 1 healthy baby food maker allows you to steam and grind food in one jug. In addition, with the Philips Avent Steamer Blender, parents can make solid foods for babies of all ages, from purees to chunks. Jug with a volume of 1l. designed to cook several servings at a time. So you can prepare several meals at once to feed your baby now, and also freeze the puree for next time in a special container that comes with the steamer. The defrost and keep warm functions will help you prepare lunch or dinner for your baby even faster.

The 4 in 1 Steamer Blender also comes with a recipe booklet developed with pediatric nutritionist Emma Williams. In the brochure you will find interesting recipes for preparing tasty and fresh children's meals, as well as useful tips on the introduction of complementary foods and interesting menu ideas. Instill healthy habits in your baby from an early age for healthy development.

In addition to the joy your child will experience from a change in diet, it is important to be aware of the various food allergies that can occur during the introduction of complementary foods. Experts recommend starting to introduce commonly known food allergens when the baby is 4-6 months old. In addition, recent studies have shown that with a later introduction of complementary foods in children, the risk of developing food allergies increases, therefore, it is necessary to introduce such foods into the baby’s diet on time and not put them off for later. The most well-known G8 food allergens include: [2] [3]

  • cow's milk;
  • chicken eggs;
  • fish;
  • seafood;
  • nuts;
  • peanuts;
  • wheat;
  • soybeans.

If you or a family member has a food allergy, be sure to consult your pediatrician for the best solution for introducing the foods listed above to your child's diet.

In addition to introducing new foods into the child's diet, it is also necessary to teach him to drink water from the age of 6 months. During the first six months of a child's life, mother's milk provides him with the necessary amount of fluid, even in hot climates. But once your baby is 6 months old, you can start giving him little by little to drink from a non-spill cup.

Check out Avent's Soft Non-Spill Training Cup from the Natural series with comfortable handles to help your child learn to drink without help. It is easy to drink from it, because the liquid begins to flow out only when the child bites or sucks on the spout of the cup. The design of the cup makes it easy to hold with little hands.

From Puree to Finely Chopped Foods


Once your child has mastered the motor skills needed to eat more solid foods, you can move on to finely chopped foods. Each child is different, but usually chopped vegetables and meat can be introduced into the diet from nine months. [4]

When you introduce crushed foods into your child's diet, try to get your child to take an active part in family meals. The baby can be offered boiled vegetables, pieces of soft fruit, well-boiled pasta, or small pieces of chicken.

Remember to check that the ground food is soft and well cooked so that the child can easily grind it into mush with his mouth. Meat, for example, has a tougher structure and fibers, and therefore requires more thorough grinding compared to fruits that are delicate in texture.

With the Philips Avent 4 in 1 Steamer Blender, you can customize your food consistency from puree to chunks. Also, the recipe book that comes with the double boiler will allow you to easily choose the right recipe for the age of the child.

Tips for getting started with solid foods


Here are some basic tips for introducing complementary foods to infants. As you introduce solid foods into your child's diet, we also recommend following other tips to help your child get used to the new food: [1]

  • Offer food only when the child wants it. In a quiet environment or when other family members are having lunch, offer your baby a new product if he wants to try it.
  • Introduce a new product in small portions in the morning. A new product should be administered in the morning to monitor possible reactions to the product. Remember that the introduction of new foods into the diet should not be considered a complete meal for the child. It is only about giving the child the opportunity to taste different foods, as well as to get a feel for their structure, gradually increasing their portions as the baby grows older.
  • Offer your child a new product only when they are healthy. Do not introduce new foods when the child is sick or during the vaccination period.
  • If the child does not like the product, postpone the tasting until a later date. This is a new experience for your baby, associated with new tastes and sensations. Therefore, do not be discouraged and do not worry if the child did not like the food the first time! Simply postpone taking this product until a later time.
  • Never leave your child alone with food. Although the child is already taking the first steps in independent nutrition, this does not mean that he can be completely independent.
  • Do not give your child foods that are too hard or slippery, rounded or choking. These precautions will prevent the child from suffocation. Any rounded foods, such as grapes or carrots, should be cut into two or four pieces.

Goodbye liquid diet!


Proper weaning is an unforgettable experience for you and your baby. Complementary foods are very different from breastfeeding and bottle feeding, and you will certainly feel a sense of pride as your baby matures. Enjoy these precious moments. After all, before you know it, your child will grow out of his highchair and move on to a full three-course meal!

Download the app and use trackers to track your child's development and growth, and keep those special moments forever.

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4 to 6 months

Breast milk is the best food for your baby.
It is very important that the baby consumes breast milk for as long as possible.

The right age to start complementary foods

It is recommended to start introducing complementary foods into your baby's diet no earlier than 4 months, but no later than 6 months*. At this age, the baby is in the active phase of development and reacts with curiosity to everything new! Some babies at 4 to 5 months of age can no longer satisfy their appetite with breast milk alone and need complementary foods for healthy growth. Other children have enough breast milk, and they are ready for the introduction of complementary foods only after 6 months. The decision to start complementary foods should always be made according to your baby's development. Do you feel like your baby is not getting enough breast milk? Does your baby hold his head on his own, show interest in new foods or a spoon? Then it's time to start feeding. If in doubt, consult your pediatrician.

If your baby spits out the first spoonfuls of puree, be patient. After all, he must first learn to swallow it. Start with a few scoops and give your child time to get used to the new form of feeding.

*Recommendation of the Nutrition Committee of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN)

Why is complementary food so important for the baby?

After 4-6 months of life, mother's milk or milk formula alone is not enough to supply the child's body with all the nutrients and necessary energy. In addition, the transition to solid food trains the muscles of the mouth. And finally, with the introduction of complementary foods, the child will get acquainted with the variety of taste directions, which is also important for his development.

When to start complementary foods?

Gradually replace one breastfeed with complementary foods. First for lunch, then for dinner and finally for lunch. The mouse eats breakfast with the usual dairy food.

Starting complementary foods with HiPP products is easy. The first spoons will be vegetable or fruit purees HiPP:

First step: lunch

We recommend that you start complementary foods at lunchtime with HiPP vegetable puree (for example, "Zucchini. My first puree", "Cauliflower. My first puree" or "Broccoli .My first puree"). Then, for satiety, feed your baby as always: breast or bottle. The amount of vegetable puree can be increased daily by 1 spoon. Be patient if your baby does not immediately love vegetables. Try repeating the vegetable puree in the following days. In the following week, you can expand your diet with other varieties of HiPP vegetables (for example, "Carrots. My first puree" or "Potatoes. My first puree").

If your baby tolerates vegetables well, in the third week you can introduce grain porridge into the diet, and as a dessert, offer a few spoons of fruit puree enriched with vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to better absorb iron in the body.

Once your baby starts eating a whole serving of mashed potatoes for lunch, you can eliminate breast milk or formula during that meal.

Tip: Reheat as much puree as needed for feeding. Store leftover puree in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Use the contents of the opened jar within a day.

Learn more