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From 6 months, a toddler’s iron needs are 7 times greater than those of an adult! This trace element, which is found in breast milk, infant milk, meat, cereals or eggs, for example, contributes to the normal functioning of his immune system. To grow well, babies also need zinc, calcium and vitamin D in particular. To contribute to the normal development of his brain, make way for good fatty acids (especially alpha-linoleic acid) such as those contained in breast milk, follow-on milk or rapeseed oil. On the other hand, babies’ protein intake is often much higher than the recommendations and it is advisable to offer 10-15 g of meat or fish per day at 6 months and 10-20 g from 8 months, or the equivalent. two to four teaspoons of meat or fish. And, it is not necessary to salt your dishes!
Learn more about baby’s nutritional needs: click here
Breast milk or (infant) milk: at the heart of his diet
Because it provides the vast majority of the calcium essential for the normal development of baby’s bones and teeth, breast milk (or infant) must be the basis of his diet. 500 to 800 ml of 2nd age milk / day, or follow-on milk, provide the dose of iron, essential fatty acids, zinc, vitamins A, D, E, C in addition to the contributions of its diversified diet. And, until the age of 3, moreover, your little one will need at least 350 ml of growth milk (to be completed with specific baby milk products and cheese). From 4 months old, you can start offering infant cereals in their milk, some of which are enriched: they are then sources of iron, zinc, vitamins A and C according to the amounts indicated. What about cow’s milk? Its intake of essential fatty acids and iron is insufficient. It is not suitable for the nutritional needs of babies of this age.
Everything you need to know about baby milk: click here
The benefits of a varied diet for babies from 6 months
Food diversification is a big step in learning taste and textures but also in contributing to the nutritional needs of babies. Between 4 and 6 months, a toddler becomes familiar with the flavors of sweet vegetables (such as zucchini, carrot, pumpkin) which are sources of fiber and vitamins just like cooked fruit (apples, pears) finely mixed in smooth mashed potatoes. From 6 to 7 months, the meat, fish and eggs enter in small quantities (¼ egg per week at the start). From 6-7 months, make way for starchy (semolina, small pasta, white rice) mixed that can be garnished with a drizzle of vegetable oil or a knob of butter. Depending on your child’s chewing abilities – around 9-10 months, you can already offer him a few pieces of tender vegetables or fruit. From 6 months, it’s the turn of special baby dairy products * to make their entry for dessert or afternoon tea. They will accompany your child up to 3 years old in addition to his usual milk, to ensure his calcium needs. Smooth, stirred, delicious… They help your baby to become familiar with different textures. On the taste side, baby can discover, for example, bananas, strawberries, the flavors of cocoa or even vanilla. However, the step-by-step introduction of new foods lays the foundations for a varied diet! **
Everything to help baby adopt good eating habits: to discover here
After a year, your child’s nutritional needs keep changing! It will be necessary to continue to turn to a specific diet for young children.
* In accordance with the regulations on baby food
** Ask your doctor for advice on how to start diversification.
DME, or child-led diversi fi cation, consists of letting your baby discover and eat, on his own, certain foods of suitable texture and size. Dr Arnault Pfersdorff, pediatrician-resuscitator in Strasbourg and specialist in diversi fi cation, answers Dorothée Saada’s questions, to help all parents who want to get started!