Did you know parents can begin to introduce and reinforce healthy eating habits as soon as they bring their new baby home from the hospital? That’s right, healthy eating habits are easier to maintain throughout your child’s lifetime when started from day one. Registered dietitians for the Infant Nutrition Council of America provides four basic feeding habits new parents can start with their infants that will help to raise a generation of healthy eaters.
- Listen to Your Baby’s Cues: No parent wants to throw away half a bottle worth of breast milk or infant formula, so there’s a tendency to want to feed the whole bottle. However, by doing this, parents may be overriding their infant’s hunger cues. Overriding your infant’s hunger cues can result in overfeeding. Signs your baby could be full include: turning away from the breast or bottle, closing their lips, or they stop sucking. Click here for tips on knowing when your baby is full.
- Don't Use Food to Soothe: Feeding can provide a quick fix to fussy infant; however, cries don’t always mean your baby is hungry. Feeding at the first cry may unintentionally override your infant’s hunger cues, and teach them to use food to soothe. Next time, before turning to the breast or bottle, try other soothing techniques such as rocking, snuggling or bouncing.
- Adjust the Frequency of Nighttime Feedings: A good night’s sleep is key to good health, and the same can be said for babies and sleeping through the night. Young infants typically feed every 2-3 hours, but once they weigh approximately 11 pounds, they’re able to eat to sleep for approximately 5-6 hours without needing to eat. At this point, parents should avoid waking sleeping infants for “scheduled feedings." Your infant will let you know when they’re hungry.
- Make Regular Doctor Visits and Weight Checkups: Weight checkups are the best way to monitor your infant’s growth, and are a regular way to ensure your infant is getting the proper amount of food and nutrients. Within the first six months, your infant’s birth weight should double, and by year one, it should triple. Your pediatrician may suggest that you adjust their feeding routine if your baby’s height and weight are not tracking appropriately.
For more great infant nutrition tips and information, visit HERE.
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