Parenting/Dietary Guidelines for Infants

A healthy baby is a happy baby. That old saying is certainly true. It's also true that what babies eat can establish the pattern for healthy adult eating habits. This is the best time -- and the easiest time -- to teach your child to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods.

It's often tempting to think of feeding your baby like a little adult. Babies are not adults, or older children, or teenagers. Their nutritional and developmental needs are quite different.

Healthy eating habits don't just happen. They are learned over time. Like anything worth learning, they take practice. And patience -- especially when you're trying to teach a baby.

To help you understand the difference between your baby's needs and those of an adult, take a few minutes to read the dietary guidelines for infants. Here are the basics for teaching your baby healthy eating habits.

The first 24 months of your child's life are nutritionally important. Babies have different nutritional needs from adults.

1	Build a variety of foods.	For the first months of life, breast milk is all a baby needs. When your baby is ready, start adding new foods one at a time.	During the first year, your goal is to teach your baby to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods. A lifetime of healthy eating habits begins with this important step.
2	Pay attention to your baby's appetite and avoid overfeeding or underfeeding.	Feed babies when hungry. Never force your baby to finish an unwanted serving of food	Watch for signs from your baby which tell you of hunger or fullness.
3	Babies need fat.	While fat is the cause of many adult health problems, it is quite necessary for your baby. Fat is an excellent source of calories essential for growing babies.	Fat also helps the brain and nervous system develop. That is why health professionals tell parents to feed whole milk, rather and reduced fat milks, to children under two years of age.
4	Introduce fruits, vegetables and grains, but don't overdo high-fiber foods.	Although many adults benefit from a high fiber diet, they are not good for babies. They are bulky, filling and often low in calories.	The natural amounts of fiber and nutrients in fruits, vegetables and grains are what babies need as part of a healthy diet
5	Babies need sugars in moderation.	Sugars are an additional source of calories for active, rapidly growing babies. Sugars are naturally found in breast milk, fruits and fruit juices.	Foods that contain artificial sweeteners should be avoided; they do not contain the energy growing babies need.
6	Babies need sodium in moderation.	Sodium is a necessary mineral found naturally in many foods.	As part of a healthy diet, babies need sodium for their bodies to work properly.
7	Choose foods with iron, zinc and calcium.	Babies need good sources of iron, zinc and calcium for best growth in the first two years.	These minerals are important for healthy blood, proper growth and strong bones.
Check with your baby's doctor or registered dietician for specific infant feeding recommendations. Source: Gerber Products Company -- www.gerber.com