Feeding your baby with additional nutrients other than what breast milk or infant formula can give is crucial to the development of his body and mind. If this is your first time to be a mother, there are many facts that can be very confusing if heard for the first time. A little research can go far in ensuring that your baby gets the proper nutrients as he grows. Frequent trips to the pediatrician can help identify and symptoms of developing diseases or disorders. But in the process of rearing your baby, your role as mother plays a vital part in his growth.

While infant formula or breast milk should be constant, as soon as your child hits the age of four months, he is ready to eat semi-solid food. Rice, oats and barley mixed with the milk formula can be his first dish. Mashed fruits and vegetables are also great for helping develop your baby’s taste for these food groups. It will become easier to feed him with greens as he grows up. It is natural for your baby to reject any solid food at first. Do not stop trying. As you repeat the procedure everyday, your baby will soon be receptive to the idea of tasting different food other than milk.

Sometimes, it isn’t about the taste that your baby is rejecting the solid food. Some parents make the mistake of feeding their babies with food that has just been warmed. When the baby gets hurt when you feed him, he might not want to take in solid food again the next time you try to feed him as he will remember what happened the last time. Try the food first to see if the temperature is fine. Do not settle for something that you can tolerate as what may be tolerable to you may not be tolerable for your baby. Let the food cool down first before feeding it to him.

When your baby develops his taste for solid food, you should not take this as a sign that he will be able to handle food like raisins, raw vegetables such as carrots, popcorn and hard candies. If left on his own, your baby can choke on these food. There are many cases of feeding accidents due to lack of supervision and experience. Ask for guidance from your own parents or friends, especially if this is your first time to feed a baby. Also, avoid overwhelming your baby with different food at one time. If any allergic reaction develops, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.

As a general rule, always keep your hands clean when feeding your baby because you are risking his health. Feeding him with unpasteurized milk and juices is also just as risky. The food you prepare could contain bacteria which can cause serious illnesses as your baby’s immune system is still weak. Ask your doctor for some advice on which food your child should be eating at a certain age. Not all vegetables are good for your baby because some may contain high levels of nitrate which is not good for infants. Being in the know will help you provide your baby with the kind of protection and nourishment he deserves.

Author Bio: Kristy is a work at home mom of 2 and a writer. Need help choosing a new crib mattress? Make sure to check out organic crib mattresses. Read reviews on crib mattress at http://www.allcribmattresses.com

Category: Parenting
Keywords: baby, crib mattress, baby feeding, breastfeeding, breast pumps