When you are a new mum, it can be easy to fret over what to feed your baby and to feel overwhelmed by the conflicting advice that may be given to you. As such, if you are stressed about whether your baby is getting the nutrients that they need to thrive, here is a guide to some of the best nutrition tips for both you and your baby.
Start Them Off Right
If you are a breastfeeding mum, you should start them off right by eating a huge variety of delicious and nutritious food. This is because babies are more likely to accept and enjoy foods that they have already tried in some format through breast milk. As such, you should make sure that you eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and foods that are high in vitamin C and A. If you are not breastfeeding, this does not mean that you cannot help your child to get the nutrition that they need, though. Instead, you can act as a role model by eating healthy foods, as your child is likely to want to copy you and try the foods that you eat yourself.
Focus on Weaning
Although your baby will get all the nutrients they need through formula or breast milk, once they hit six months old, they may be ready for baby-led weaning, which can help your child to experience a larger variety of foods than other forms of weaning. Baby-led weaning allows your child to choose the foods they try themselves and can ensure that they get all of the nutrients that they need through healthy solid foods, such as blueberries and pulses. As such, if you are currently focusing on weaning your baby, you may consider investing in a highchair feeding bib from Bibado to help them to try new foods in a safe and clean environment.
Decide on the Right Milk
However, before you wean your baby, you should look for the best type of milk to give them. Although breastfeeding is the best option because your baby will be able to get the immunity that they need, it’s not always possible for every new mother to breastfeed. Therefore, they will need to use formula milk, from which babies can get all of the nutrients that they need to support normal growth and development, including iron and vitamin D.
Look After Yourself
To give your baby the best care possible, though, it is essential that you look after yourself and your diet. As such, you should make sure that you consume foods that are high in calcium, and that you eat enough proteins, dairy or fortified plant-based alternatives and whole grains. These will allow you to keep up your strength after the birth of your baby and ensure that you can protect your immune system while you are breastfeeding and caring for your young child.