Baby Diaries: A Guide for New Mothers Eight – Baby’s Feeding Patterns and Healthy Eating

No two babies are alike. Even twins have different feeding patterns. Therefore, it is safe to say that the decision about how babies are to be weaned and fed lies only with the parents who know them best. With this in mind we will discuss a loose guide of what to expect during the different stages of baby’s development in terms of how they feed, and healthy eating for both baby and mother alike.

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Six to Nine months

In the previous article (part seven) we discussed weaning baby from an exclusive milk diet to semi-solids (pureed food). This is usually done according to baby’s needs, when baby is four to six months old.

Baby’s first semi-solids will consist of pureed foods while he/she is learning to chew. However, once this phrase has elapsed, baby is ready for mashed and slightly lumpier foods. It’s important to introduce this type of foods into your infant’s diet because it’s vital for him/her to start learning to work the muscles around his/her neck and jaws. Continuing to feed baby with pureed foods at this age is doing a disservice to your child. Finger foods are also a good idea because your infant can practise picking up the pieces themselves. This is not only beneficial in learning to feed themselves, but also in developing dexterity in the hands and fingers – offering a head start in writing and colouring later on.

Some of the foods baby may be ready for at this stage of life.

• Pieces of banana or other soft fruit. Remember that bananas can be very tender and chewy, but also terribly easy to get stuck in the throat if swallowed the wrong way. This is why it is crucial that you stay with your infant when she/he is eating finger foods.