Mother’s breast milk is best for infants until 6 months, as it has the most balanced and right components to give adequate growth. However, once your kid attains 6 months of age Moms start bothering “what to give and what not to give my child?”
Following are the most important nutrition that you must provide to your baby:
- Iron: Iron helps in brain development of your baby and also helps in improving his memory.
- Normally when your baby gets delivered, he has enough iron reserve within him to last for 4-5 months. But after that, he should be provided food which can meet the body requirements for iron, i.e. 11 mg per day.
- Moreover, it is also essential for the production of hemoglobin in the body.
- Iron is present in fortified cereals, potato, eggs, soya beans and spinach.
- Zinc: Zinc is also one more important mineral for your new born baby.
- Mostly zinc and iron are found together in fortified cereals. Your baby needs to have 3 gm of zinc daily.
- It helps in the production of white blood cells which fight against any infection.
- It is also a necessary element for growth of body cells and also its repair.
- You can find zinc from cheese, whole milk, yogurt, lentils and cereals.
- Calcium: Your baby needs at least 500 mg of calcium every day.
- More often the requirements are met through breast milk as well as the formula milk.
- Calcium helps in strengthening of teeth and bones.
- It also makes sure that bones become strong enough to avoid any fracture when your baby starts running and playing.
- Foods like cheese, orange juice, oatmeal and yogurt have lots of calcium in them.
- Various Vitamins:
- Vitamin A: It is crucial for healthy skin and sharp vision. This vitamin is present in carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli.
- Vitamin B: It is vital for improving metabolism and better immune systems. You can find vitamin B from green leafy vegetables, beans, bananas, etc.
- Vitamin C: It is important for skin and helps in preventing the deficiency disease called scurvy.
- Vitamin D: It is vital for bone strengthening and lack of it can cause rickets. Though vitamin D is not easily available you can find it from cow’s milk and egg yolk. If unable to consume the above food, supplements can be taken.
- Vitamin E: It has anti-oxidant quality and is necessary for development of nervous system. It can be derived from vegetable oil and cereals.
- Vitamin K: It is necessary to prevent clotting of the blood. In order to consume vitamin k, your baby should have leafy vegetables, fibrous fruits and soya.
- Omega 3: The benefits of omega 3 for adults are very well known, but it works for your younger ones too.
- They are not only essential for vision and brain development, but are also necessary for developing cognitive skills in babies.
- You can consume omega 3 and pass on its benefits while breast feeding baby.
- Salmon and avocado are rich source of Omega 3.
DIET CHART FOR 6-8 MONTHS BABY
| Time | Menu | Amount |
| Morning | Flat rice powder cooked | Start with one spoon to one small bowl(15g-40g). |
| Lunch | Boiled vegetables (Raw Papaya, banana, carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato ,potato) | Start with one spoon to one small bowl(15g-80g). |
| Evening | Boiled apple without skin or juice of fruits (pomegranate,apple,watermelon ) | 30ml -60ml or however the quantity child wishes to take. |
In between meals that you give in morning, afternoon and evening you should also give your Breastmilk or Formula milk . Milk is equally important along with semisolid foods .Don’t stop breastmilk just because your baby has started semisolid foods.
