Healthy Eating for Infants (6 months


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Healthy Eating for Infants (6 months - 1 year)

Infants who are fed solids for the first times will spit it out - not because they do not want the food but because the tongue motion used in sucking is the only motion they know. They have to learn to swallow
At each feeding, small sized feedings of 1-2 teaspoons should be offered. Increase the size of the feeds gradually
Avoid strong tastes such as cabbage and broccoli as starter foods - they can be introduced at a later stage (10-12 months)
Introduce one new food at a time, so that food allergies or intolerances can be detected
New foods that are not accepted by the infant are usually better accepted after repeated trials
Homemade foods are suitable for infants. Remember that the food must be cooked until tender in as little water as possible, do not add salt or sugar the food. Strain or puree the food using an electric bender, baby food grinder, or a kitchen strainer/sieve.
All water used to make up infant formula feeds or dilute juices should be boiled and cooled. Sparkling or carbonated water or water labelled 'Natural Mineral Water' is not suitable for infants as they contain substances that the infant's immature system does not need.
Constipation may be a problem during the introduction of solid foods to the infant's diet. constipation can be prevented or cured by giving extra fruit or diluted pure fruit juice or water. Do not give digestive bran to an infant , as it will cause discomfort in the tummy, and my reduce the absorption of some minerals

Feed your child only breast milk from birth to 4-6 months

Breast milk has everything your child needs to grow strong and healthy
Breast milk has not germs and helps prevent your child from getting diahorrea and other diseases
Wait until the child is 4 months or older before you give solid foods
You can breastfeed until your child is two years old
At about 4 to 6 months, infants begin to need solids and breast mild to continue to grow

0 - 4 Months

4 -6 Months

7 - 9 Months

10 -12 Months

Breastfeed

Breastfeed + Introduce Solids

Breastfeed + Solids

If your child has diarrhoea do not stop breastfeeding

Food of a semi liquid consistency
Soft porridges - unsweetened
Soft porridges - add more variety
Cereals: rice, maize, iron fortified infant cereals mixed with breast milk, water or infant formula
Pureed or sieved vegetables - do not add salt, sugar or fat.
Strained fruit. Dilute Infant fruit juices with one part water to one part juice

Soft porridges - unsweetened
Gradually introduce finely chopped vegetables, in place of mashed veg.
Add finely chopped fruit instead of mashed fruit
Decrease strained meats - add finely chopped lean meat, chicken, fish, egg yolks.
Add finger foods e.g soft cheeses, pasta, biscuits, toast, cooked dried beans
Dilute 100% pure fruit juices with one part water to one part juice
Add plain yoghurt

Foods to AVOID

Nuts, sweets, grapes, popcorn, raw carrots, raw green pepper, chunks of hard cheese, sausages, hotdogs - These foods may cause the infant to choke and should be avoided until the infant is at least 2 years of age

Soft porridges-add more variety, texture, taste.
Introduce vegetables eaten by the family.
Introduce chopped well cooked or fresh fruit.
Introduce variety of meat eaten by the family. Add whole egg.
Continue with finger foods.
Introduce foods eaten by the family without added salt or sugar.
Dilute 100% pure fruit juices with one part water to one part fruit juice. Do not use squashes.
Introduce whole milk, yoghurt, soft mild cheeses only after infant is one year old.

Compiled by the KwaZulu-Natal Dieticians, Dept of Health