Breast milk provides the optimal nutrition for your baby.
Signs your baby is getting enough to eat:
- 6-8 wet diapers a day
- Loose yellowish stool (1st month)
- Appropriate weight gain
Eat foods rich in DHA (an Omega-3 fat) such as, fatty fish† to support your baby’s normal brain and eye development.
All breastfed infants should receive a daily Vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (10 μg) until their diet provides it or they turn one year of age.
Babies in northern communities or with dark skin should get 800 IU (20 μg) per day (October to April).
Your baby needs calcium for healthy development, including bones and teeth.
Calcium recommendations:
- 0-6 months: 200 mg/day
- 7-12 months: 260 mg/day
** The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends not introducing pasteurized whole cow’s milk (3.25%) until at least 9-12 months of age.
Iron is essential for physical and mental growth, and more is needed as your baby ages to avoid iron deficiency anemia. Make iron-rich foods a regular part of your baby’s meals.
Iron recommendations:
- 0-6 months: 0.27 mg/day
- 7-12 months: 11 mg/day
Iron from animal products is absorbed more easily than other sources. Vitamin C also helps absorption.
At 6 months, you can begin introducing iron-rich foods one at a time. Wait at least 2 days after each to identify foods not well tolerated. The amount she drinks will naturally decrease as solid food intake increases.
For up to 12 months, your baby will get most of her nutrients from breast milk or formula. Think of solids as “extra” nutrition and an opportunity for your little one to learn.
Introduce nearly liquid foods first, then increase food consistency gradually. Always supervise infants when they are eating.
Avoid foods like nuts, raw carrots, popcorn, hard, sticky or round candy, raisins, hot dogs and whole grapes.
- All infants: Sugary drinks or foods
- Infants under 1: Honey (risk of botulism)
Limit fruit juice as it may take the place of more nutrient-rich foods. Give only if baby is older than 6 months and drinking from a cup. Limit to 120-180 mL per day.
The amount and type of food your baby eats will vary. Your baby will typically turn away from the spoon or bottle when they are no longer hungry. This is only a guide. Visit enfamil.ca for sample menus.
Sources:
Dietitians of Canada - PEN (Practice Based Evidence in Nutrition)
Canadian Paediatric Society (2006-2008)
Health Canada (2010, November)
Health Canada (2005, December)
†For example, herring, mackerel, pollock, salmon and shrimp. Visit Health Canada’s website for advice on how to limit exposure to mercury from certain types of fish.
*American Dietetic Association and Dieticians. Position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada: dietary fatty acids. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007; 107:1599-1611.