Babies

Introduction

The information included in this section should only be used as a supplement to advice you receive from your health professional. Health visitors will be able to provide you with advice specifically catered to you and your baby’s individual requirements.

  • All babies are rascals in their own special way.
  • We believe growing up with healthy eating habits is naturally the best way.

We recommend that introduction to weaning should be made in conjunction with your Doctors’ or Health Professionals’ advice.

Healthy baby foods

A balanced diet

Once your baby is having 3 meals each day, they will begin to cut down on the milk they are drinking and at this stage, you will need to make sure your baby is getting a mixture of foods.

Always include foods from the following 4 groups:

  • Starchy foods and cereals - starchy foods provide energy and the wholegrain varieties will also provide fibre as well as some vitamins and minerals. A little at each meal to provide your baby with sustainable energy. These foods include unsweetened cereals or baby rice; potato, sweet potato, yam, rice, bread, pasta.
  • Fruits and vegetables – offer one or two of these at each meal – if your baby does not like a particular fruit or vegetable – simply offer them another, even our little rascals have likes and dislikes.
  • Protein food - meat, fish, poultry, eggs and alternatives such as tofu, beans and pulses. Red meat and alternatives such as eggs, chick peas, red kidney beans, lentils and tofu will also provide your baby with iron.
  • Dairy products - source of calcium – such as fromage frais, yogurt, other milk puddings and cubes of cheese.
  • Low fat dairy products should not be used for children under the age of 2 years.
  • At meal times always offer some finger foods so that they can learn to feed themselves with their hands and fingers.
  • Offer a cup of water with meals for when your baby gets thirsty during the meal
  • Finish meals with the usual milk feed. As the meals become bigger you will find that less and less milk is drunk.

More Information