Baby Rice Popcorn

After stressing the importance of good nutrition ... you can relax a little. Feeding your baby is really not difficult if you have the basics.

Breast milk or formula?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends breastfeeding as the healthiest food for babies. Studies have shown that babies who breastfeed are admitted to the hospital less, suffer fewer ear infections and diarrhea and rash, and have fewer allergies than children who drink the formula. Pediatricians recommend breastfeeding for the first year.

Not every mother is able to breastfeed, however. Women living with HIV should not breastfeed because the disease can be transmitted through milk. Other women suffer from mastitis (infection of the breast) or pain, and find it too uncomfortable to breastfeed. Returning to work can be difficult and mothers may need to use a breast pump during the day while they are away from their babies. Sometimes the formula is necessary.

Baby formula has all the essential nutrients and vitamins needed to promote healthy growth and the American Academy of Family Physicians assure mothers that there is no need to worry when feeding their infant babies, or supplement breast milk with formula. Make sure to follow the mixing directions carefully, and choose a high quality formula. If your baby seems to be spitting too much, you may want to switch brands. Work closely with your pediatrician to find the right formula for your baby.

The introduction of solid foods

It is very important not to introduce solid foods before your baby is ready. Solid foods can wreak havoc on an immature digestive system and two of you could be a long night of constipation or stomach problems if you're too impatient. It has also been research that suggests that babies who are fed solid foods in too early can develop food allergies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that babies are eating solid foods at six months, although some pediatricians recommend rice or oat cereal as young as four months.

Start slowly, with only a tablespoon or two of the new food you have. Introduce one food at a time so that if your child has an allergy, you will be able to identify which foods are the cause. It is best to wait four days between each new food.

If your baby pushes the food back right of his mouth, it is probably not ready for solids yet. Give him a week or two, then try again.

Start by Bland, easy to digest foods first, to switch to other foods slowly and only as your baby is ready. Here is a general guide:

Six months:

Rice or oatmeal cereal (grains are easiest to digest). They must be mixed with breast milk or infant formula.

1. Topping:
2. Apples
3. Bananas
4. Pears
5. Lawyer
6. Sweet potatoes
7. Squash
8. Green beans

8 - 10 months

According to the co ordination of your baby, you'll want to introduce finger foods. In addition to breast milk or infant formula, you can also insert the following:

1. Soft breads and muffins
2. Pasta
3. Cheese
4. Yoghurt
5. raw fruits, blackberries
6. Soft cooked vegetables
7. Eggs
8. Beans
9. Crackers
10. Melon
11. Cottage cheese
12. Lean beef, pork or chicken

Make sure to avoid foods that pose a choking hazard such as corn, nuts and fruit farms immature. Always supervise your baby while she eats. And never give raw honey to a child under one year.

Work closely with your doctor

It is important to work as a team with your baby's pediatrician when choosing what to eat and when. Never hesitate to ask for advice, and follow the recommendations.