Child Nutrition Guide
Recommendations for healthy growth from 0 to 2 years.
Nutritional Journey by Stages
Exploring Flavors and Textures
Around 6 months, it is time to introduce solid foods, supplementing breast milk or formula. An adventure of discovery for your baby!
Is my baby ready? Key Signs
- ✅ Keeps your head upright and stable.
- ✅ Sits with little or no support.
- ✅ Show interest in food.
- ✅ Open your mouth when approaching food.
- ✅ Does not push food out with your tongue.
- ✅ Try to pick up objects and put them in your mouth.
Texture Progression and First Foods
👶 (Cereal, sweet potato, chicken)
🥣 (Banana, avocado)
🤏 (Pasta, cooked vegetables)
Introduction of Allergens
Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergenic foods (egg, peanuts, fish) along with other foods around 6 months. Don't delay the introduction. Introduce one allergen at a time and wait 3-5 days to observe. Always consult your pediatrician.
Essential Nutrients
A varied diet is the key to obtaining all the nutrients. Here we highlight the most important ones for brain development and growth at this critical stage.
Iron
Importance:
Brain development, prevents anemia.
Sources:
Red meat, chicken, fish, lentils, fortified cereals.
Vitamin D
Importance:
Strong bones and teeth, calcium absorption.
Sources:
Fatty fish (salmon), fortified milk and yogurt. Supplement recommended for babies.
Calcium
Importance:
Construction of bones and teeth.
Sources:
Breast milk/formula, cow's milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli.
DHA (Omega-3)
Importance:
Development of the brain and vision.
Sources:
Fatty fish (salmon, sardines), eggs and fortified milk.
Zinc
Importance:
Growth and immune function.
Sources:
Meats, beans, ground nuts, dairy products.
Vitamin A
Importance:
Vision, skin and immune system.
Sources:
Carrots, sweet potatoes, mango, spinach, dairy products.
Safe Eating: Prevention First
🚨 Common Choking Hazards
Always supervise your child while eating and make sure he or she is seated. Cut foods into small, safe pieces.
🚫 Foods and Drinks to Avoid
Some foods are not safe or healthy for little ones. Avoid added sugars and salt.
- 🍯 Honey: Prohibited before 12 months due to risk of botulism.
- 🥤 Sugary Drinks and Juices: They provide empty calories. Offer whole fruit instead.
- 🧀 Unpasteurized Milk and Cheese: Risk of harmful bacteria.
- 🍬 Candies and Popcorn: Risk of choking and cavities.
Common Challenges and Solutions
It is a normal phase. Stay calm and don't push. Continue to offer a variety of healthy foods. Sometimes it takes more than 10 attempts. Be a good example, involve him in the preparation and present the food in a fun way.
Learning to interpret your baby's signals is key to responsive feeding.
- **Hunger (0-6 months):** Head turning looking for the breast/bottle, hand sucking, moaning, crying (late sign).
- **Satiation (0-6 months):** Turns head, releases nipple/bottle, falls asleep, pushes food.
- **Hunger (6-24 months):** Opens mouth when he sees food, points to food, tries to catch it.
- **Satiety (6-24 months):** Pushes food, closes mouth, throws food, turns head.
There are different approaches to introducing solids. You can choose the one that best suits your family and your baby, or combine both:
- **Baby-Led Weaning (BLW):** The baby feeds himself with pieces of soft food adapted to his age from the beginning. Encourages autonomy and exploration.
- **Traditional Feeding (Porridges):** Parents offer purees and porridges with a spoon, progressing in textures. Allows greater control over intake.
- **Mixed Approach:** Combine both methods, offering both purees and chunky foods so that the baby experiences different textures.
To ensure your child gets all the nutrients, it is crucial to offer a wide variety of foods. Here are some tips:
- **Repeat Exposure:** Sometimes it takes up to 10-15 trials for a child to accept a new food. Don't give up.
- **Be a Role Model:** Eat healthy foods with enthusiasm in front of your child.
- **Involve him:** Let him touch the food, smell it, and if he is older, help in the preparation.
- **Positive Environment:** Make meals a pleasant moment, without pressure or distractions.
- **Variety of Colors and Textures:** Offers visually attractive dishes with different types of foods.
Make sure he drinks enough fluids (water) and eats foods rich in fiber. Fruits such as pears, plums and apples, along with vegetables, legumes and whole grains, can help. Regular physical activity is also important. If the problem persists, consult your pediatrician.
Seek counseling if your child is not gaining weight, losing weight, rejecting entire food groups, having difficulty swallowing, choking frequently, or if meals are a constant source of stress and conflict. Trust your instincts and talk to your pediatrician.